After decades of development, humanoid robots ready to be rolled out

Robert Besser
10 Dec 2022, 03:02 GMT+10

Japanese electronics and entertainment conglomerate Sony Group Corp said it possesses the technology to make robots, but needs to determine their usage first
For decades, humanoid robots have been in development by Honda Motor Co and Hyundai Motor Co
In September, Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk presented a prototype of its humanoid robot, named Optimus

TOKYO, Japan: Jumping on the bandwagon of building humanoid robots, Japanese electronics and entertainment conglomerate Sony Group Corp said it possesses the technology to make robots, but needs to determine their usage first.

"In terms of technology, several companies in the world, including this one, have enough technology accumulated to make them swiftly once it becomes clear which usage is promising," Sony Chief Technology Officer Hiroaki Kitano told Reuters in an interview.

"We will make an investment (for manufacturing) only when such investment is deemed necessary. We see a potential in humanoid robots, but we also believe other forms of robots are quite important, as well."

For decades, humanoid robots have been in development by Honda Motor Co and Hyundai Motor Co, and in September, Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk presented a prototype of its humanoid robot, named Optimus.

Kitano said Sony, armed with expertise in audio-visual technology and rich entertainment content, including music and video games, was well positioned to play a major role in the metaverse, or immersive virtual worlds.

"As for the metaverse, it's not like people would show up just because you've created a venue ... Content is what makes or breaks the metaverse," he said.

Earlier, Kitano told a media briefing that Sony will strengthen its research and development activities and defined sensing, artificial intelligence and digital virtual spaces as key technical domains to drive Sony's business expansion.

"Sensors, AI and virtual spaces interlocking together is the core of our technology and will be our great strength," Kitano told reporters.

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