Sony Has Humanoid Robot Technology, But Has Only Been Commercialized If The Market Is Ready

Sony robot will be marketed when the market is ready. (photo: twitter intengineering)

Japanese electronics and entertainment conglomerate Sony Group Corp announced on Tuesday, December 6 that it has the technology to quickly create humanoid robots after identifying how they can be effectively used.

"In terms of technology, several companies in the world including this one have accumulated enough technology to make it fast after it's clear which use is promising," Sony Chief Technology Officer Hiroaki Kitano told Reuters in an interview.

"We will invest (for manufacturing) only if the investment is deemed necessary. We see potential in humanoid robots, but we also believe other forms of robots are also quite important," added Hiroaki.

Sony launched a robot dog named Aibo more than two decades ago. The robot sold about 150,000 units from 1999 to 2006 and then launched its advanced version in 2018, selling about 20,000 units in the first six months.

The humanoid robot has been developed for decades by Honda Motor Co and Hyundai Motor Co. Even in September, Tesla's Chief Executive, Elon Musk, also showcased the humanoid robot prototype, Optimus.

Musk's company plans to deploy thousands of robots in its factories, which eventually grow to millions worldwide.

Kitano said Sony, armed with expertise in audio-visual technology and rich entertainment content including music and video games, has a good position to play a major role in the metaverse, or an immersive cyberspace.

Metaverse is a cryptic term that summarizes the idea that consumers will spend more time in online simulation environments. While the concept is growing, the technology has become a keyword in industry direction and driving allocation.

"Regarding the metaverse, it doesn't mean people will appear just because you have created a place. Content is what creates or destroys the metaverse," he said.

Earlier last Tuesday, Kitano told media briefing Sony would strengthen its research and development activities and define artificial intelligence (AI) and digital virtual space as key technical domains to drive Sony's business expansion.

"The interconnected censorship, AI, and virtual spaces are at the heart of our technology and will be our great power," Kitano told reporters.

Sony's image sensor is widely used on smartphones and is the main component of the car as automakers seek to reduce traffic accidents and switch to autonomous driving.