Sony has revealed that it is working on a new home assistant in a similar mould to the Amazon Echo speaker.
It’s already been a fairly fruitful MWC for Sony, with the announcement of a new line of upper-mid-range smartphones (the Sony Xperia X range) and an in-ear assistant tool (the Sony Xperia Ear).
But it isn’t done there. The Japanese electronics company is also showing off an interesting new ‘product concept,’ the slightly sinister-sounding – and looking – Xperia Agent. This device is a personalised assistant that will “enhance everyday life by responding to voice and gestures.”
This will include providing useful information, helping with communications (presumably dictating emails, and the like), and controlling smart home appliances. That’s right, a smart device to help control your smart devices.
The Xperia Agent comes with a distinctive built-in camera, and a projector for displaying content onto flat surfaces.
Sony’s new personal assistant concept isn’t ready for market just yet. Presumably it’s hoping to gauge the reaction to it at this year’s MWC 2016, where it’s currently on display.
Related: MWC 2016
All in all, Sony seems to be one of the more interesting tech players these days. It’s still turning out solid smartphones, class-leading camera tech, and blockbuster games consoles, but it’s also running a fascinating side-line in left-field conceptual products.
Just check out its recently revealed e-paper universal remote control for further evidence of that. The Sony Xperia Agent seems to be in that same experimental spirit.
What do you think of the Sony Xperia Agent? Let us know in the comments below.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.