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Sony showcases new concept car with tech for autonomous driving

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Sony has showcased a number of new technologies at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, and one of them was a concept car packed with the company’s sensors and other components that provide a package that supports autonomous driving.

Kenichiro Yoshida, Sony president and CEO, says: “It’s not an exaggeration to say that mobile (communication) has been the mega-trend of the last decade. I believe the next mega-trend will be mobility.”

Yoshida formally unveiled the prototype vehicle, which incorporates imaging and sensing technologies that Sony says “contribute to safer and more reliable autonomous driving”. [Read more…] about Sony showcases new concept car with tech for autonomous driving

Sony Semiconductor Solutions acquires network virtualisation firm Mido Holdings

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Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation  has acquired the network virtualisation technology developer Mido Holdings Ltd. Consequently, Mido Holdings has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Semiconductor Solutions.

Virtualisation technologies include virtual network technology, which uses software to reconfigure networks without altering the physical infrastructure of communication devices such as routers and switches, and technologies that virtually integrate and control multiple servers and storage devices.

These technologies are used to build cloud computing systems and other such highly flexible systems.

[Read more…] about Sony Semiconductor Solutions acquires network virtualisation firm Mido Holdings

Sony and Docomo to test driverless concept vehicle via 5G trial network in Guam

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Sony Corporation and NTT Docomo, Inc. will jointly trial Sony’s conceptual driverless vehicle, the New Concept Cart SC-1, which uses 5G mobile technologies for various remotely controlled functions.

The test will be conducted using the trial network in Docomo 5G Open Lab Guam, which will provide test facilities and an outdoor verification environment constructed by Docomo.

The test will verify data transmission and operational performance required to remotely control the cart from a long distance via the extra-high speed, large capacity, low latency and massive-device connectivity.

[Read more…] about Sony and Docomo to test driverless concept vehicle via 5G trial network in Guam

Sony launches anniversary edition of aibo robot

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Sony Corporation is celebrating the one year anniversary of its autonomous entertainment robot aibo (ERS-1000) by announcing the release of aibo Choco Edition, a special 2019-only colour variation that will be available in Japan from February 1, 2019.

This model is now available for purchase on Sony’s official retail website.

Additionally, Sony will also be conducting a promotional campaign. Customers who place their orders by Thursday, February 14, 2019 will also receive a specially coloured tail (black) free of charge.

Sony claims world’s fastest deep learning speeds through distributed learning

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Sony Corporation has claimed to have achieved the fastest deep learning speeds in the world by utilising its deep learning development framework “Core Library: Neural Network Libraries” in addition to the AI Bridging Cloud Infrastructure (ABCI).

ABCI is a computing infrastructure for AI processing constructed and operated by Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST).

Deep learning is a method of machine learning which uses neural networks modelled after the human brain. By harnessing deep learning, image and sound recognition capabilities have seen rapid growth in recent years, even outperforming humans in certain domains.

[Read more…] about Sony claims world’s fastest deep learning speeds through distributed learning

Sony launches Aibo robot dog in America

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Sony’s robotic dog Aibo is launching in the US. As many readers will know, Aibo is an old dog and was previously around many years ago. 

But Sony stopped producing them and only relaunched the expensive mechanical pet a few months ago.

Like its previous incarnation, the new Aibo is very expensive, retailing at around $2,900 in a package called First Litter. [Read more…] about Sony launches Aibo robot dog in America

Sony starts taking orders for its new AI-powered Aibo robot dog

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Sony has started taking orders for the new version of its artificial intelligence-equipped Aibo robot dog, according to The Japan Times. 

A limited number have gone on sale and some customers can now pre-order on Sony’s website, although only in Japan at the moment.

Japan Times says decisions as to which customers get to buy the robot dog may be made on a first-come-first-served basis or by lottery.  [Read more…] about Sony starts taking orders for its new AI-powered Aibo robot dog

Sony develops new processors for IoT

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Sony Corporation has developed two new products, the SPRESENCE main and extension boards for IoT applications, equipped with a smart-sensing processor, which go on sale July 31.

The main board uses a multi-CPU structure equipped with Sony’s GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver and high-res audio codec.

A variety of systems for diverse applications, including drones, smart speakers, sensing cameras and other IoT devices, can be built by combining these boards and developing the relevant applications.

[Read more…] about Sony develops new processors for IoT

Sony sells 11,000 units of robot dog Aibo

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Sony says it sold exactly 11,111 units of its robot dog, Aibo, in the three months since the mechatronic canine’s re-release in January this year. 

This is according to a report on The Mainichi website, which calls the sales performance a “solid start”.

This comment would indicate that the sales numbers are in line with, or indeed exceed, Sony’s targets.  [Read more…] about Sony sells 11,000 units of robot dog Aibo

Sony partners with Carnegie Mellon on artificial intelligence and robotics

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Initial efforts to focus on cooking and delivery

Sony has entered into an agreement with Carnegie Mellon University to collaborate on artificial intelligence and robotics research.

Initial research and development efforts will focus on optimizing food preparation, cooking and delivery.

This area of research and development was selected because the technology necessary for a robot to handle the complex and varied task of food preparation and delivery could be applied to a broader set of skills and industries.  [Read more…] about Sony partners with Carnegie Mellon on artificial intelligence and robotics