CES | Sony Highlights its Evolution as a Creative Entertainment Company

Sony seeks to deliver products, content, and services that resonate with people and affect a positive impact on society, based on its Purpose to “fill the world with emotion, through the power of creativity and technology.”

Sony Corporation’s President & CEO Kenichiro Yoshida spoke at the Sony press conference held ahead of the exhibition’s public opening, stating “Creativity is a powerful driving force that moves Sony forward. When it is combined with our technology, it is unstoppable.” 

Next to take the stage was Jim Ryan (President and CEO, Sony Interactive Entertainment), who announced that PlayStation 4 has now cumulatively sold through more than 106 million* units worldwide, and that PlayStation Network had reached 103 million* monthly active users. He then discussed the cutting-edge technology and features of PlayStation 5, slated to launch this holiday season, and unveiled the new logo design for the first time ever.

Furthermore, Yoshida stated that, “It’s not an exaggeration to say that Mobile has been the mega-trend of the last decade. I believe the next mega-trend will be mobility,” as he unveiled a prototype vehicle incorporating imaging and sensing technologies that contribute to safer and more reliable autonomous driving, and an array of highly-advanced electronics technologies that together deliver an unprecedented in-car entertainment experience.

Sony will demonstrate the contribution it intends to make to realizing a highly advanced autonomous driving society, and the new emotional experiences it aims to deliver in the world of mobility.

Evolutions in Imaging and Sensing Technologies in the Realm of Mobility

Ø CMOS image sensors that achieve high sensitivity, high definition and high dynamic range while also suppressing LED flicker* to deliver accurate object recognition, even in situations where conventionally detection has been difficult.

Ø  Solid State LiDAR which uses highly accurate distance measurement to gain a precise 3D grasp of real-life spaces.

Ø  Sensor fusion technology which merges the capabilities of sensors of varied attributes to enable early and accurate recognition, even in challenging conditions such as fog, backlight, and night-time driving.

Ø  Time-of-Flight (ToF) in-cabin sensing solutions use distance measurement technology to detect and recognize people and objects inside the car.

New Mobility Proposals Pursuing Comfort and Entertainment

Sony’s efforts in the area of mobility – such as pursuing safety, reliability, comfort, and entertainment – are being positioned as a new initiative, named “VISION-S.” The first prototype vehicle to result from “VISION-S” will be showcased at the Sony booth.

A total of 33 sensors including CMOS image sensors and ToF sensors are embedded within the vehicle, in order to detect and recognize people and objects inside and outside the car and provide highly advanced driving support. Sony’s “360 Reality Audio” provides a deep and immersive audio experience through speakers built into each seat to encapsulate passengers in sound.

Sony will continue to combine its advanced technologies to deliver greater safety and reliability, while also striving to inspire new emotion through revolutionary in-car entertainment experiences.

Helping Creators Realize Their Dreams

Sony is bringing about a technological revolution at every stage of the creative process, from production to when content reaches audiences, in order to further inspire creators and help them deliver their work to viewers and listeners.

 5G Proof of Concept Trial

Sony conducted a proof of concept trial in December 2019, by capturing video of a live American football game with a 5G-connected camera, showing how 5G can allow for more creative and untethered camerawork while also reducing set-up time and costs. Visitors to the Sony booth will be able to see a video introducing this initiative, and also the equipment used during the trial including Sony’s PXW-Z450 shoulder camcorder, Xperia 5G mmWave device that enables high-speed data uplink, and a prototype transmitter box that encodes and transmits high-quality video in real-time.

AI-based Real-time Video Analytics

Sony is also proposing new video experiences that further enhance the excitement of sports through its AI-based real-time video analytics technology. The booth will feature a table-tennis demonstration by athletes, and the game will be captured on multiple devices including Sony’s HDC-P50 POV system camera and the cameras with Sony’s unique high-speed vision sensors.

3D Spatial Reality Display Technology

Sony’s unique Eye-sensing Light Field Display uses high-speed vision sensors and face recognition algorithms to enable super high precision spatial reality experience not found in conventional naked-eye 3D displays. 

Virtual Production Technology using 3D Volumetric Capture

The Sony booth also features a virtual production set that transforms the way motion pictures and TV shows are made. The set has been captured from the Sony Pictures studio lot as photo-realistic volumetric data, and is shown as a background image on a Crystal LED display. The background changes in real-time with the movement of the camera, ensuring the final image has the proper perspective and depth. 

New Content Creation Environment Provided by Large Screen, High-Resolution Display System

As TVs continue to trend towards larger screens, and more content with higher resolutions and in HDR (Higher Dynamic Range) is created, there is a corresponding need for a comprehensive, accurate evaluation of content on the professional monitors used by creators. 

Enriching People’s Hearts Through the Delivery of Emotional Experiences

Sony is showcasing new products featuring the proprietary technologies previously found in its BRAVIA flagship MASTER Series. The 8K LED TV “Z8H” series brings the stunning picture quality delivered by its best-in-class Picture Processor X1 Ultimate as well as Sony’s unique new “Frame Tweeter,” which delivers a Sound-from-Picture Reality experience while maintaining a slim design. Additionally, the OLED TV “A8H” series newly features X-Motion Clarity, which draws fast-moving images clearly, while maintaining brightness. The TVs offer an experience of the high picture and sound quality that make a difference on a large screen.

All this and more will be on demo at the Sony Booth at the CES 2020 event.