Sony unveils new spatial headset and visualization space for creators

Japanese electronics giant Sony showcased some of its innovative products and technology at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024 in Las Vegas. The company’s session centered on introducing advanced solutions for visual production and spatial content creation. It also delved into strategies for enhancing fan engagement within communities like anime, sports, and games.

Additionally, the session covered initiatives in the realms of entertainment and safety, aiming to propel advancements in the mobility space. “Sony has always placed people at the heart of creativity and has been committed to being a force for good by empowering creators,” said Kenichiro Yoshida, Chairman and CEO of Sony Group Corporation, during the presentation at CES 2024. Expanding creativity Sony unveiled Torchlight, an innovative visualization space powered by cutting-edge technology from Sony Group and Epic Games’ Unreal Engine.

Torchlight empowers filmmakers to craft digital scenes before actual filming, utilizing Unreal Engine and virtual cameras, such as the Virtual Production Tool Set. This seamlessly integrates virtual environments with on-set production, leveraging Sony’s VENICE camera. The platform also offers access to Sony’s exclusive technologies, including the mobile motion capture system, “mocopi,” enhancing real-time creativity for creators, according to the firm.

Sony is also integrating advancements in imaging, sensing, and display technologies, to harness real-time rendering through game engines. Collaborating with Pixomondo, Sony PCL, and SPE, the company offers worldwide end-to-end creative services and stage infrastructure. This spans the entire production process, encompassing pre-production, on-set filming using Virtual Production, and post-production.

Spacial content creation Sony Corporation is developing an immersive spatial content creation system featuring an XR head-mounted display with 4K OLED Microdisplays and video see-through function, along with optimized controllers for 3D object interaction. Sony says the device will offer a “crisp viewing experience” and “intuitive interaction for 3D design”. The system, powered by Snapdragon’s new XR2+ Gen 2 platform, targets supporting creators in advanced 3D content creation, with plans to collaborate with developers, including Siemens.

“We designed our Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 to deliver 4K display resolution, cutting-edge graphics, and unparalleled performance to enable creators to build innovative spatial content that will transform all industries for the better,” said Said Bakadir, Senior Director of product Management of QualcommTechnologies, in a . Set to launch in 2024, Sony and its partners will provide additional details on specifications, pricing, launch dates, regions, sales channels, and software compatibility in the future. Fan engagement Sony plans to elevate fan engagement efforts in the realm of sports.

In collaboration with Manchester City Football Club, the firm is actively engaged in a proof of concept (PoC) to introduce innovative services geared towards establishing a global online fan community. A beta service is slated for release later this year, catering to the interests of fans. The firm is “exhibiting initiatives with multiple major sports properties across the globe, that bring together Hawk-Eye Innovations’ optical tracking, Beyond Sports’ data visualization technology, and Pulselive’s expertise in fan engagement to create never-before-seen fan experiences aimed at diverse audiences, including younger generations,” said the firm, in a statement.

The firm also unveiled a new Access controller for its PlayStation5 users, which is designed to “help those with disabilities play games more comfortably, for longer,” said the firm. The firm will also showcase products like the new PlayStation 5 console in a smaller form factor, the PlayStation Portal remote player, Pulse Explore wireless earbuds, and the upcoming Pulse Elite wireless headset at CES 2024. Enhanced mobility experience Sony previewed a “Safety Cocoon” concept that aims to enhance vehicle safety by providing a 360-degree detection capability around the vehicle during everyday driving scenarios.

The concept was displayed with its Afeela EV, which was driven remotely to the stage using a PS5 controller. This enables drivers to proactively respond to potential risks. At the exhibition, attendees can explore Sony’s array of sensing technologies designed to bring this concept to life.

“Sony’s sensing technology, surpassing human eye capabilities in resolution and sensitivity, aspires to act as the visual guide for mobility, fostering heightened safety and delivering novel mobility experiences,” the firm added. .