Is the robot dog a good companion?

Sony's robot dog Aibo can give you a high-five. [from IC]

Sony wants to be known for more than just TVs, cameras and PlayStations.

The company announced on Thursday its popular robot dog Aibo is returning to the US in September for the first time since 2006.

The dog debuted in the 1990s in Japan, but excitement fizzled as cheaper robots entered the market.

Last year, the company debuted a smarter version with OLED eyes, facial recognition technology and the ability to develop a personality through artificial intelligence. 

It's also packed with cameras and image sensors to detect and analyze sounds and images. Sony says Aibo's main purpose right now is to be a companion robot.