Sony today announced the launch of a new research and development initiative called the Sony Future Lab Program. Unlike typical R&D projects, it will share concept prototypes looking to solve challenging goals with its user community to collect their feedback to refine and evolve projects. The first project, known as “N” for now, will be unveiled at the SXSW Interactive Festival taking place later this month.
Sony has already revealed that N is a concept prototype that features a “hands-free user interface that creates a new way of experiencing audio such as music and sound, allowing the user to receive audio information without having to insert any object into his or her ear.” A teaser video suggests that N will be worn around the neck, likely incorporating speakers to provide the promised audio information and a speaker to capture voice commands.
Other Sony Future Lab Program concepts will also be unveiled at SXSW. Sony has not given any hints about what these other prototypes are.
The vision of the Sony Future Lab Program is incorporated into its logo. New letters will be added inside the “F” and “L” motif over time as new prototypes launch, each a symbol of the “concept behind these initiatives.”
You’ll be able to visit Sony’s Future Lab Program at SXSW in Austin between March 12th and March 14th.
Source : Sony