We will be featuring executives from companies with unique brand stories.Premium JapanExecutive interview by representative Mio Shimamura. Through the products and services they create, as well as their corporate philosophy, we will unravel the essence of the ``Japanese sensibilities'' and ``Japanese aesthetic sense'' that their brands express. This time, we will talk about Sony Group Corporation, one of Japan's leading electronics companies, which currently has a wide range of businesses from games and network services to movies, music, finance, and semiconductors.AIWe spoke to Managing Director Izumi Kawanishi, who heads the Robotics Business Group.

Developing new products based on artificial intelligence and robotics

1946In 2017, still after the end of the war1Sony started as "Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo" in Tokyo less than a year ago. The company launched a series of Japan's first and world's first products, such as radios, Walkmans, and video cameras, in Japan and overseas, creating an era as a Japanese electronics manufacturer.Currently, as part of the Sony Group Corporation, the company is expanding its business in a wide variety of fields. It has become a large conglomerate. Among them, SonyAIMr. Izumi Kawanishi is the head of robot development.

AIIn the robotics business, as the name suggests,AIThe company has created a variety of products based on robotics, but one of the most well-known products is the dog-shaped robot "aybo(Aibo).”1999It gained popularity after its release in 2013, and production was temporarily discontinued.2018A yearWith a variety of sensorsAIhas been re-released as a new model equipped with robotics technology.

He also felt that he should work on drones because they require technologies such as aircraft control, sensing, and information processing.

“The drone is"lump of mecha"You can say that. If that's the case, then we should be able to take full advantage of Sony's cutting-edge technology, and that thought became the starting point for development."

Mr. Kawanishi himself is a natural engineer. After joining the company, he has been involved in gaming for a long time, and has worked on PlayStation since the development of the first generation.PS3I worked on up to. After that, broadcast equipment such as professional cameras, smartphones, etc.XperiaAfter working in businesses such as (Xperia),2017YearsAIHe became the head of the robotics business at a time when it was taking off in earnest. Although he currently holds the key management position of managing director, in the words of another employee, it is exactly what Sony is all about."super engineer"It is.

Ideas unique to mobility and robotics, not cars

His team created Sony's first electric car, which surprised the world.(EV)"VISION-S Prototype” was announced. Sony's car? And whyAIThe robotics team? Despite such questions, Kawanishi says there is consistency.

“Similar to the behavior of humans and animals, autonomous robots repeat the cycle of ``recognizing,'' ``thinking,'' and ``acting.'' They look at their surroundings, recognize them, think about what to do, and then take action. Masu.ayboacts like a pet in that cycle,airpeakIt is also capable of detecting obstacles and flying automatically.VISION-S PrototypeAlthough this has not been achieved at the moment, we are thinking of evolving to autonomous driving in the future, and if that happens, it will be able to drive itself to its destination.VISION-S Prototypeis mobility, and can be thought of as a robot for transportation rather than a car."

The design of the vehicle, which carries people and transports them to their destination, started with an internal competition among designers.

``Until now, at Sony, even if we were big,TVUp to this point, we had never made something with that much mass. Even though some of our employees love cars, they have no experience in designing them, so at first I wasn't sure if they could really do it. After passing the safety standards, designers were asked to verify whether the design they came up with really works as a car.One anotherWe exchanged various opinions.”

A new mobile vehicle with entertainment

and about2Over the years, even the smallest button inside the car has been created with an original design.EV"VISION-S Prototype"is.

“I think we have achieved the futuristic feel and interior entertainment that we were looking for.We paid special attention to things that are not done in ordinary cars, such as making the entire front panel a display from the driver's seat to the passenger's seat. There may be something Sony-like about it."

On this day, I had the opportunity to take a test drive with a Sony staff member behind the wheel, and what surprised me was not only the smooth running, but also the powerful sound that filled the space. Although you may not notice it at first glance, each seat has a built-in speaker.360Surrounded by sound. If autonomous driving becomes possible, it will transport people to their destinations in a comfortable environment.VISION-S PrototypeIt was a valuable experience that made me realize that we are striving to create the ultimate transportation space.

Providing products that are “close to people” using cutting-edge technology

In fact, Sony was the first Japanese company to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. As a global company that also operates businesses based overseas, such as movies and music, does Mr. Kawanishi ever feel conscious of its Japanese-ness?

“We want the product itself to be enjoyed by everyone, so we don't necessarily think that it's because it's Japanese.However, it's Sony's philosophy to be very particular about the details, including design, and that's what Japan is all about. Especially when it comes to manufacturing.airpeakAlsoayboWe also produce our products domestically, and we are very particular about quality."

And no matter how advanced the technology is,AIWhat is consistent with the products created by robotics is the concept of "being close to people."

“The basic concept is how easy it is for people to interact with us, or how close we can get to them.Therefore, when thinking of new ideas, we value the user's perspective.It is important to consider how people will use it and how they will feel about it. This is because I believe that

Dai Ibuka, one of the founders of Sony, wrote the founding prospectus himself at the time of the company's founding.Engineers can demonstrate their skills to the fullest"An ideal factory that is free, lively, and fun."and to contribute to Japanese culture through technology."

Mr. Kawanishi, a modern cutting-edge engineer, and the team he leads.AII believe that the robotics business truly represents Sony's culture and its future.

Izumi Kawanishi　Izumi Kawanishi

Born in 1963. Joined Sony Corporation in 1986. In 1995, he was seconded to Sony Computer Entertainment (now Sony Interactive Entertainment), which handles the game business, and was in charge of developing the PlayStation. In 2014, he became an executive officer of Sony Corporation. In 2017, he became the person in charge of launching an AI robotics business. In 2021, he will be appointed as Managing Director. Head of AI Robotics Business Group in charge of AI Robotics Business.

Mio Shimamura