Sony exhibited at CES 2022 that took place in Las Vegas, Nevada and online in January 5.
Sony’s Purpose is to “fill the world with emotion, through the power of creativity and technology.” Based on its corporate direction of “getting closer to people,” Sony is working to create new value that inspires people’s emotion, by getting closer to creators and users. Kenichiro Yoshida, Chairman, President and CEO of Sony Group Corporation spoke at Sony’s press conference held on January 4 ahead of the exhibition’s public opening, stating that, “Throughout the past two challenging years, we have reaffirmed the importance of our Purpose. We want to enable people to connect more deeply with those who share the same interests and form stronger bonds within their communities.” He touched on Sony’s work with artists such as Adele on her new album “30,” and introduced its latest technologies and initiatives to support creators, including “Virtual Production” that removes restrictions on video production, Sony’s professional drone “Airpeak” that supports creativity, and its latest smartphone “Xperia PRO-I.”
Tom Rothman, Chairman and CEO, Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group, talked about PlayStation Productions, a collaboration between Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Interactive Entertainment to produce movies and TV based on PlayStation IP. Tom Holland, who stars in PlayStation Productions’ film adaptation of Uncharted, and Neil Druckmann, Co-President of game development studio Naughty Dog, talked about the significance of the collaboration.
Jim Ryan, President and CEO, Sony Interactive Entertainment, announced the next-generation virtual reality system PlayStation VR2 and the new PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers that will realise an unprecedented experience and immersive feeling in the world of games. Furthermore, he announced the latest in the “Horizon” series, “Horizon Call of the Mountain,” which was a huge hit all over the world, as a title exclusively for PlayStation VR2.
Yoshida also highlighted the tracking technology of Sony Group company Hawk-Eye Innovations, and Sony’s partnership with Manchester City Football Club for the realisation of next-generation fan communities in the virtual space.
Highlights from Sony:
- VISION-S
A prototype (VISION-S 01), which is being tested on public roads, and an SUV-type prototype vehicle (VISION-S 02) as a new form factor. For more details, visit Sony’s website for the Vision-S: https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/vision-s/
- Airpeak S1
Sony’s professional drone Airpeak S1 is the world’s smallest drone that can be equipped with a full-size mirrorless Alphacamera. It features a proprietary motor, propeller, control system and sensing technology that enables high agility and dynamic and precise flight.
- PlayStation 5
PlayStation 5 brings players into game worlds with unprecedented speed, visual fidelity, and sensor immersion. PS5 is equipped with an ultra-high speed SSD, integrated custom I/O, Tempest 3D AudioTech technology, and DualSense Wireless Controller with cutting-edge haptic technology and adaptive triggers. A collection of all five galaxy-inspired colour variations for the console covers and DualSense wireless controller was showcased.
- Crystal LED Theater
A large Crystal LED installed at the entrance to the booth, displays content that introduces Sony’s latest innovations in areas such as virtual production and future of sport entertainment:
- “Virtual Production”: Filmmaking Technology that Stimulates the Creativity of Creators
Virtual production frees creators from various restrictions in shooting, such as location, weather, and time, by implementing a production environment that integrates the background image with the subject in real time. The combination of Crystal LED, which projects high-definition background images with high contrast and rich colour reproduction, and the cinema camera “VENICE,” which achieves high resolution and delicate depictions, stimulates creators’ creativity and increases the freedom of expression.
- “Future of Sport Entertainment”: Hawk-Eye’s Tracking Systems and Virtual Fan Engagement
Hawk-Eye Innovations, a Sony Group company, has been advancing innovation in the world of sports through its sports officiating and broadcast enhancement technology. Their latest achievement has been the introduction of new skeletal tracking and data-visualisation systems. These systems make it possible to instantly and accurately track the movements of athletes and objects from the live game video captures, collect the skeletal data and virtually recreate the live action.
Sony is also conducting a PoC (proof of concept) with Manchester City Football Club to create a next-generation global online fan community that integrates the physical and virtual worlds. The PoC leverages Sony’s image analysis technology and sensing technology, as well as Hawk-Eye’s tracking systems, to explore the creation of new forms of entertainment to engage sports fans all over the world.
- Aiming to Create Space Inspiration Experiences: “STARSPHERE”
Together with the University of Tokyo and JAXA, Sony is promoting STARSPHERE, a project aimed at creating inspiring space experiences. Sony exhibits a mock-up of a nano-satellite equipped with Sony’s camera equipment, scheduled for launch in 2022. Using a shooting simulator, users can control the satellite to capture the earth and stars exactly as they intended. STARSPHERE aims to generate new value and deliver inspirational experiences by enriching people’s perspectives of space and will engage in co-creation with various creators and partners in this area going forward.
- BRAVIA XR TV Line-up, Featuring Innovative XR Backlight Master Drive Technology for New Mini LED Models
A new Mini LED line-up is added to the BRAVIA XR TV Series. Powered by Cognitive Processor XR, Sony’s unique signal processing technology, “XR Backlight Master Drive” precisely controls Mini LED backlight for incredible dazzling lights and deep blacks in every corner of the large screen. The new BRAVIA XRTV line-up delivers immersive viewing and gameplay experiences formed by combining in-depth picture and three-dimensional sound.
