Sony exhibited at CES 2022 that took place in Las Vegas, Nevada and online from Jan. 5-7.
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 Jan. 4 ahead of the tech event’s public opening. He said: “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.”
Next to take the stage was Tom Rothman, chairman and CEO, Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group, to talk 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.
Next, Jim Ryan, president and CEO, Sony Interactive Entertainment, announced the next-generation virtual reality system PlayStation VR2 and the new PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers. 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 then took to the stage again, to highlight the tracking technology of Sony Group company Hawk-Eye Innovations, and Sony’s partnership with Manchester City Football Club for the realization of next-generation fan communities in the virtual space.
Yoshida concluded his presentation by speaking on the latest progress and future direction of VISION-S, an initiative that aims to contribute to the evolution of mobility. 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, was exhibited at the event.
“Sony is well-positioned as a ‘creative entertainment company’ to redefine mobility,” the chairman said. He announced that Sony will establish an operating company “Sony Mobility Inc.” in the spring of 2022, through which the company intends to explore entry into the EV market.
Sony’s professional drone “Airpeak S1,” for which sales have now started in the US, was also exhibited for the first time.
Airpeak S1 is the world’s smallest drone that can be equipped with a full-size mirrorless Alpha camera. It features a proprietary motor, propeller, control system and sensing technology that enables high agility and dynamic and precise flight.
