Sony’s Vision-S concept car meant to showcase company’s tech - Android

Sony will use the Vision-S to help it develop camera, sensor, and entertainment technologies for the age of mobility.

Sony did not show off any new TVs, cameras, mobile phones, or audio products on stage during its CES 2020 keynote. Instead, Sony spoke figuratively about its vision for the future of technology and then spoke, quite literally, about the Vision-S concept car. Yes, you read that correctly, Sony rolled out an electric car prototype to stunned attendees. The Vision-S may look cool, but it is a test platform for Sony’s other technologies and not something that the company intends to sell to consumers.

Vision-S is a new initiative for the company and pertains to the pursuit of “safety, reliability, comfort, and entertainment” in mobility. Thus, a car. The Vision-S is packed with technology from bumper to bumper that Sony hopes will help it develop and refine its future products.

What’s on board the Vision-S, you ask? Some 33 sensors, for starters, including CMOS and ToF cameras. These do things such as provide the vision for the side-view mirrors and keep tabs on potential roadside hazards, such as pedestrians or bunny rabbits. Sony also uses the cameras for facial recognition, so the Vision-S can recognize the owner and select passengers and automatically adjust to that person’s preferences. The company says the cameras provide “advanced driving support” that is managed by artificial intelligence.

Sony uses all the data generated by the Vision-S cameras to project a “safety cocoon” — something akin to a safe zone or bubble surrounding the car thanks to the 360-degree views. LiDAR supports the cameras to provide accurate distance measurements in a 3D space. Sony says the cocoon works even in challenging conditions such as rain or fog.