[CES 2020] Toyota and Sony change main business to create unusual scene

By Lim Chang-won Posted : January 8, 2020, 10:18 Updated : January 8, 2020, 10:18

[Photograph by Han Joon-ho]

LAS VEGAS -- An unusual scene broke out with Toyota disclosing a smart city project and Sony pulling out a self-driving car. At a media event held just one day before the opening of the world’s largest technology exhibition, CES 2020, Toyota and Sony were eager to present their visions for new business.

At the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Toyota Motor President Akio Toyoda announced his plan to create a smart city by tearing down a car manufacturing plant and roads in Japan's Shizuoka Prefecture. Construction will begin next year."

On the same day at the convention center, Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida surprised reporters by dragging out an electric vehicle equipped with self-driving technology. Sony said it will start test driving within this year. This is the first time that Sony has introduced a self-driving car.

The smart city announced by Toyota was named "Woven City," designed by a Danish architect, which will provide a chance to demonstrate technologies related to connected cars, self-driving cars, shared vehicles, electric vehicles and artificial intelligence (AI), robots and smart homes. In the early stage, about 2,000 Toyota executives and family members will reside, experimenting with related technologies in the actual living environment. Toyota plans to call in researchers and engineers from all over the world in the future so they can live in the city.

The characteristics of the smart city are on roads. Toyota classified it into three categories: a vehicle-only road that can pick up speed, a road for personal mobility such as electric kickboards and a road for pedestrians only. Mobility technology can be demonstrated according to each road character.

All the infrastructure will be buried underground and residents will participate in demonstration by using indoor robots. The city has a function to check the health of families by installing sensors in various parts of houses made of eco-friendly materials.

"It's a place I've dreamed of," Toyoda said. "Not only do we use AI technology, but let's all change our lives together in the city of Intelligence Amplified."

Sony has introduced VISION-S, an electric vehicle with self-driving technology. The vehicle is equipped with Sony's imaging and sensing technology and has installed 360-degree audio to enhance its entertainment functions. Updating software can improve performance and even evolve vehicles.

"The vehicle has all Sony’s technologies for mobility’s future, but it was developed in collaboration with Qualcomm, Nvidia, Bosch and Continental," said Yoshida.

VISION-S is a four-seater with more than 30 sensors and AI. Although it is not fully self-driving yet, Sony plans to evolve related technologies through road demonstration this year. Yoshida stressed that while mobile has been a technology trend in the past decade, mobility will be the main character in the coming decade.
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Lim Chang-won Reporter
Lim Chang-won

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