Access™ Controller for PlayStation®5

Everyday, we strive to connect the world using the power of video games. We do this by using the latest technology to evolve accessibility features, products, and services for all PlayStation users. The "Access™ controller" for PlayStation®5 was launched after five years of continuous improvements utilizing discussions with accessibility experts and relevant support groups. Through our support of extensive customizations to meet diverse needs, we are working hard to achieve a future in which all players can enjoy games.

• POINTS
  • Make use of interchangeable buttons and analog sticks to freely adjust layouts to suit the player’s range of motion, strength, and physical needs.
  • Combine up to two Access controllers for use as a single virtual controller.
  • Can be used in conjunction with other external input devices and peripherals.

Access Controller was selected for "GOOD DESIGN GOLD AWARD" in the "2023 Good Design Awards." "GOOD DESIGN GOLD AWARD" awards are specially presented for particularly outstanding designs chosen from among all awarded works of the GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2023.

• Access controller｜a customizable and adaptive controller kit for PlayStation 5

Retina Projection Camera Kit

Sony created this 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* and to allow more people to feel the pleasure of sharing scenes that move them or that they wish to remember.

The kit uses the laser retinal projection method, which is less affected by the eye’s ability to adjust focus, to project the image in focus onto the area around the retina, thereby changing what is "difficult to see" into "clearer sight" for people with low vision. With the cooperation of schools for the blind and other institutions, Sony applied actual feedback from people with low vision and opinions shared during the interviews to the kit to provide a photography experience powered by high optical zoom.

• *Low vision is a visual impairment caused by some reason that causes inconvenience in daily life, such as difficulty seeing, being dazzled, or having difficulty walking due to a narrow field of vision, even when wearing glasses or contact lenses. The population is estimated to be 250 million worldwide, and 1.45 million in Japan.

• POINTS
  • The kit, which combines a digital camera manufactured by Sony with a viewfinder from QD Laser, Inc., changes what is "difficult to see" into "clearer sight".
  • It projects a laser weak enough to have no effect on the eye onto the retina to display images in detail.
  • The kit enables not only people with low vision but also people who are farsighted or severely nearsighted to take photos without relying on the ability of their eyes to adjust focus.

The Retina Projection Camera kit was selected for “GOOD DESIGN BEST100” in the “2023 Good Design Awards.” “GOOD DESIGN BEST100” awards are specially presented for the top 100 designs among all the award winners.

• Retina Projection Camera Kit (Audio Description Version)

• DSC-HX99 RNV kit

Alpha* Full-frame Interchangeable-Lens Camera

We want as many users as possible to take advantage of the functions that are standard with Alpha to enable them to experience the high-quality imagery of the interchangeable lens camera to express themselves through photography. With this goal in mind, we had several discussions with employees who are low vision and love cameras, to help us decide on the best sequence for items to be read out when taking photos, such as F-number and shutter speeds. With its carefully selected accessibility features, Alpha will continue to support creators by serving as a trustworthy companion regardless of age or disability.

• *α7C II、α7CR

• POINTS
  • Check menus and operation vocally instead of visually
  • Enlarge menus and operation displays*
  • AI-enhanced recognition performance enables fast recognition of a wide range of objects and adjusts focus accordingly

XR Catch

XR Catch is an experience that fuses the real and virtual. It was inspired by the words of a person with visual impairment who participated in our workshop and said, "I wish I could play catch with my son." He asked us not to make it into a spacial game only for people with visual impairment In response, Sony developed it into a free game that anyone can participate in even from a distance, regardless of visual acuity or physical strength. Entertainment arising from inclusive design gives new value to society.

• POINTS
  • Play catch with a virtual ball by relying on sounds
  • Play catch even at a distance by using MUSVI Corporation's "MADO" telepresence system
  • Play safely and easily with a dedicated smartphone holder

Visitors to the CEATEC 2023 the Sony's booth can play with visitors to the CEATEC the Sony's booth satellite venue at the Sony Showroom/Sony Store in Ginza, Tokyo about 30km (~18.5 miles) away, to experience the XR catch. Please note that event times differ for each venue.
On October 17 (Tue) – October 20 (Fri), the Makuhari Messe venue is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and the Sony Store Ginza venue is open from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m (for XR catch demo).

• XR Catch Connecting Hearts Beyond Constraints: An Opportunity for Play Created with Inclusive Design Methods
• Making Everyone Smile via Inclusive Design

Ultra Light Saxophone

Music is something that everyone can enjoy because it transcends language and age barriers. And it would be loved even more if everyone could play instruments more easily even without being able to read sheet music. The saxophone, which can be easily played without any complicated key operations, embodies our passion to set no limits on entertainment. Please enjoy the freedom of performance.

• POINTS
  • Hum a song to play along with the sounds of a saxophone
  • Quickly master the skill with a mouthpiece for easy humming and the iconic form of a saxophone
  • Arrange the exterior to suit your preference and the occasion

• "Yuru" Musical Instruments Powered by Spresense

BRAVIA™ 4K LCD TV

Whether spending time alone or with family and friends, a TV is indispensable. "We want those who use accessibility features as well as those who don’t to be able to share their TV experience." Reflecting the voices of people with disabilities, the BRAVIA™ has installed shortcuts for accessibility features. About a century has passed since television was first introduced to the world, and now a new TV experience begins.

• POINTS
  • Read aloud text information displayed in detail, such as program guides and settings menu items, and so on.
  • Easily turn the TalkBack screen reader function on or off using the shortcut function.
  • Select from 9 levels of TalkBack speed.

*Each function name is for the product for the United States.

The Next-gen Olfactometry System

It is predicted that the number of those in Japan with dementia will reach 7 million – or one in five elderly people – by 2025. One of the precursors of this condition is the sensation of "I can’t smell anything." Sony has developed The Next-gen Olfactometry System from a desire to be able to easily perform the olfactory measurements that are useful in the early detection of dementia. Based on interviews with dozens of physicians, the device was designed in a rounded form that examinees feel comfortable when using.

• *This device is intended for research purposes and is not designed for such medical uses as treatment or diagnosis.

• POINTS
  • Easily and quickly display 40 kinds of odors
  • Sony’s proprietary cartridge-structure technology and deodorizing mechanism built into the main unit control odor contamination
  • A dedicated application enables easy recording/viewing of results and data transfer

• OlfactiveTechnologies

Collaboration between Sony/Taiyo Corporation, creating a function of Xperia™ smartphone.

Masaru Ibuka, one of the co-founders of Sony, established Sony/Taiyo Corporation based on his attitude of valuing people's independence and creating an environment that supports their independence, instead of differentiating them by whether or not they have a disability. Approximately 60% of all Sony/Taiyo employees who 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 the Xperia* development team created a function that informs the user of the horizontal measurement information of the photography screen through sound when taking photos using the Photography Pro. This feature is now equipped in the latest Xperia* smartphones, demonstrating how the inclusive workplace environments of the Sony Group also play a role in product development.

• *Xperia 1 V, Xperia 5 V

• POINTS
  • Creation of a working environment that incorporates the ideas of employees with disabilities.
    Ex: Installation of hemispherical curved mirrors to eliminate blind angles in corridors
  • The user is notified with sound both when the Xperia photo screen is level and when it is misaligned.
  • The color of the setting button reverses to show the setting change in a way that is easy to understand.

• Collaboration between Sony/Taiyo Corporation, creating a function of Xperia™ (Audio Description Version)

• Xperia accessibility functions

Research and Development Contributes to an Inclusive Society: Conversation Support Project Using Smart Glasses

As voice recognition technology is evolving, the number of applications that convert speech to text in real-time is increasing. While this leads to support for people with hearing impairment, there are some issues, such as "the device’s microphone needs to be held close to the other person’s mouth," "the eyes are distracted by the text on the screen," and "recognition accuracy is insufficient in the desired environment." As a part of this research and development, Sony will realize natural communication with a partner using highly accurate speech recognition while looking at each other’s faces. In addition, the real-time translation function allows you to communicate with foreign people, expanding the possibility of an inclusive future.

• *This project is an example of technology currently under development.

• POINTS
  • Instantly converts speech to text and displays it on the Smart Glass display.
  • Using plastic waveguide technology, safe, lightweight, and frameless subtitles are displayed without obstructing line of sight.
  • Using special acoustic signal processing technology, speech can be recognized with high accuracy even from a distance and in noisy environments.

Research and Development Contributes to an Inclusive Society: The Going Out Walking Support Project

This On-the-go walking support project was born from the voices of people with visual impairment: "Objects like telephone poles and fences, or uneven roadside curbs are not necessarily obstacles, but rather important landmarks on familiar roads" "Even when using a navigation system to reach a point near the destination, I often cannot find the entrance to the building." The pursuit of technology that enables people with visual impairment to reach their destination independently and with peace of mind leads to an inclusive future where everyone can enjoy going out.

• *This project is an example of technology currently under development.

• POINTS
  • A small, lightweight sensor device with sensor(s) attached to the white cane.
  • Unique sensing and communication technologies recognize/detect nearby objects and notify the user by sound and vibration.