Toyota to buy Sony's robotics division?

Once the home of Aibo, the spunky robotic pup that has since made his way to the great scrapheap in the sky, Sony's robotics division hasn't been making a lot of noise lately. Which is why it comes as no surprise that the division is rumored to be on the auction block. According to Japan's Nikkei Business, Toyota (home of the lame, robotic dancing chairs seen at the 2005 Aichi Expo) has expressed interest in purchasing the entire division from Sony, including the researchers and facilities involved in robot development. Sony has issued a statement denying the rumor, though as we all know, its pretty much standard practice to disavow all knowledge of these sorts of things until the ink is dry. After a bad year full of battery recalls and lackluster PS3 sales, it certainly seems like Sir Howard Stringer and Co. could use the cash--and, as we all know, there are more than a few mechanical pups in the Sony pound that could use some loving.  

For more on the rumors:
- see this Engadget article