Sony Group Corporation ("Sony") announced today that it will participate in CEATEC 2023 from October 17 to 20, 2023, offering an exhibit of accessible products and services, and initiatives for inclusive design, under the theme "For the future where individuals of all abilities to share Kando (emotion)."

Based on its Purpose, to "fill the world with emotion, through the power of creativity and technology," Sony views accessibility as part of its sustainability initiatives and aims to contribute society through its businesses and technologies. At this year's CEATEC, visitors will be able to experience various demonstrations at the exhibition booth, including products that take accessibility into account in the imaging field and technology that allows people to play catch with a virtual ball using sounds regardless of visual acuity or physical strength. In addition, Sony will also introduce inclusive designs that were developed together with users who require accessibility, such as people with disabilities and the elderly, and technological developments that contribute to an inclusive society, such as a conversation support project using smart glasses that enable people to communicate naturally regardless of hearing ability.

Main Exhibits

• Retina Projection Camera Kit
  Sony created the DSC-HX99 RNV kit, a Retina Projection Camera kit out of a desire to deliver the joy of photography to the estimated 250 million people around the world with low vision.
  At the booth, people with low vision can enjoy photography using the laser retinal projection method, which is less affected by the eye's ability to adjust focus.

  • Alpha™ Full-frame Interchangeable-Lens Camera
    In order to provide a comfortable shooting experience through Alpha for every user, the development team had several discussions with employees with visual impairment and love cameras, and developed a screen reader function and a screen enlargement function for users who have difficulty viewing the LCD monitor screen.
    At the booth, visitors can test out the latest full-frame mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras, the Alpha 7C II and Alpha 7CR, which are equipped with the above-mentioned accessibility features.

    • XR Catch
      Inspired by the words of a person with visual impairment who said, "I wish I could play catch with my son," Sony created a game where users can play catch with a virtual ball relying on sounds.
      At the booth, visitors can enjoy a game of catch remotely with customers visiting the satellite venue of the CEATEC Sony booth located at Sony Store Ginza via MUSVI Corporation's telepresence system "MADO". This technology allows you to play catch with people in remote locations, regardless of visual acuity or physical strength.

      • Ultra Light Saxophone
        The Ultra Light Saxophone was born out of the belief that music would be more accessible if everyone could easily play instruments and join in an immediate ensemble with others.
        At the booth, visitors can hum and create the sounds of the saxophone without any complicated key operations.

        • Initiative for Inclusive Design
          Collaboration between Sony/Taiyo Corporation, a company where employees with disabilities play an active role, and Sony's software team creating a function of the Xperia™ smartphone
          Approximately 60% of all Sony/Taiyo employees have disabilities, and the company has enhanced the accessibility of its workplaces so that diverse employees can play an active role. Sony/Taiyo employees with low vision working in collaboration with Sony's software team created a function of the Xperia smartphone that informs the user the horizontal measurement information of the screen through sound when taking photos using the Photography Pro.
          At the booth, visitors can see the latest Xperia smartphones equipped with such function.

          • [Reference exhibit] Research and development that contributes to an inclusive society: Conversation support project using smart glasses
            Sony's conversation support project using smart glasses aims to enable people to communicate naturally with their loved ones through looking at each other, regardless of hearing ability.
            At the booth, visitors can see video images of the experiences the project team hopes to achieve through the project and design proposals for smart glasses.

            • [Reference exhibit] Research and development that contributes to an inclusive society: On-the-go walking support project
              Sony's on-the-go walking support project aims to help people with visual impairment reach their destinations independently and safely.
              At the booth, visitors can see video images of the experiences the project team hopes to achieve through the project and design proposals for sensing devices.

              Many other initiatives other than the above can be seen at the venue and online.
              In addition, the Sony Corporate Blog features a video of a portion of the initiatives and demonstrations.