January 6 News, Sony Group of Companies has previously unveiled the "VISION-S" concept for the first time at the 2020 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2020), which aims to promote further development in the mobility field and showcase its prototype. In order to make this concept really land, Sony began public road testing in Europe in December of the same year, verifying the safety of the image and sensing technology installed inside and outside the car and the user experience of the human-machine interface (HMI) system. Sony began 5G ambient driving testing in April 2021 and will continue to provide a new experience for the mobility sector that is transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) by combining its cutting-edge technologies.
As VISION-S R&D enters a new phase, Sony decided to further advance the above plans and announced the following at CES 2022: Vision-S new SUV prototype unveiled to meet diversified value needs and lifestyles
VISION-S aims to achieve Sony's goal of "being close to the person" by promoting the development of the mobility field, while developing technologies that enable a safe and secure, highly adaptable and entertaining experience. At CES 2022, Sony unveiled a new SUV prototype (VISION-S 02). The car is equipped with the same electric vehicle cloud platform as the previously released prototype (VISION-S 01), and public road testing has begun. Vision-S 02 provides an in-car entertainment experience by utilizing a wide interior space and adjustable seven seats, and together with VISION-S 01, it will meet people's rich lifestyles at a time when social value needs are becoming increasingly diverse.
VISION-S 02
VISON-S: Efforts at the forefront
Safety: Safe and secure mobility
Vision-S has multiple sensors installed 360 degrees around the body, and its system will ensure driving safety by identifying and analyzing the surrounding environment in real time. These sensors include highly sensitive, high-resolution, wide dynamic range CMOS image sensors and lidar sensors that accurately perceive 3D space. In addition, the VISION-S system can also be combined with the car audio system and the human-machine interface system to achieve intuitive driving interaction, so that the driver can accurately judge the surrounding environment from the car, such as whether there are emergency vehicles around. Sony aims to provide greater safety and comfort to people through its sensors and communication technologies. The model is currently undergoing functional verification tests in Europe with a view to the release of the L2+ Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) for open roads.
Adaptability: Closer to people, grow together
Time-of-flight (ToF) sensors are used to monitor driver authentication and guard passengers. They also support intuitive gestures and voice commands designed to enhance the car's interactions. In addition, in order to meet the user's personalized preferences, VISION-S will be equipped with a new feature that allows users to customize the display theme and the acceleration and deceleration sound modes of the vehicle.
VISION-S's vehicle settings, keylocks and user settings can be synchronized by connecting vehicles to the cloud via mobile communication technologies, including 5G communication technologies with low latency, high capacity and high speed. In addition, since vehicle updates are enabled through over-the-air push upgrades (OTAs), service functionality and added value can be continuously improved while maintaining safety.
Remote control: Using Sony's own technology, communication knowledge, and safety technology accumulated during the development of smartphones, Sony has listed remote control as an important technology in the era of autonomous driving. To fully realize this technology vision, Sony has implemented driving tests to connect Japan and Germany via 5G and is currently working with partners to leverage the telematics system installed in VISION-S 01 to enable low-latency transmission (video and control signals) as well as communication control (monitoring and forecasting).
Entertainment: Enrich the entertainment space for mobile travel
Seat speakers that create a three-dimensional spatial sound field, and streaming services that are compatible with 360 immersive sound provide an immersive music experience where passengers feel like they're at a concert by their favorite artist.
In addition, to provide a high-quality video experience, VISION-S will include a fully integrated digital video service feature "Bravia CORE for VISION-S", which broadcasts shared and exclusive video on the large screen in the car and on the display screen behind each seat.
To further expand the possibilities of in-car entertainment, in-car gaming capabilities have also been enhanced, with the ability to play PlayStation games by remotely connecting to the console at home and enjoying the online gaming experience via the cloud.
Enter a new stage of development
To further accelerate development and make new recommendations for evolving the mobility experience, Sony will set up an operating company called Sony Mobility Inc. in the spring of 2022 to explore the possibility of entering the electric vehicle market.
Sony Mobility's business objectives
The new company aims to make the best use of AI and robotics to help realize a world where everyone can live in harmony with robots, moving people and benefiting society. The company's businesses include VISION-S, which contributes to the evolution of mobility, the autonomous entertainment robot aibo, and the drone Airpeak, and Sony will create value in a richer range of areas.