Sony Debuts First Aerosense Camera Drone

Sony Corporation, the Japanese multinational conglomerate headquartered in Konan Minato, Tokyo, Japan, has recently announced that they will be starting a new drone subsidiary in order to serve their business customers. Through a joint venture with ZMP Inc., a Tokyo-based startup which specializes in autopilot technology, Sony plans on creating a drone company called Aerosense.

This company will be entering into a drone industry which is already crowded with technology giants and upstarts, but hopes to stand out by offering services such as surveying land that is difficult to access as well as offering inspection on aged infrastructure. Several large technology companies, such as Google and Amazon, have already started researching the use of drones for package deliveries, as drones have rapidly become a vital area of research for technology and internet companies.

“We’re looking to explore new opportunities beyond our core consumer portfolio in enterprise markets,” said the head of Sony’s smartphone unit, Hiroki Totoki. Sony Mobile has been providing resources for the drone venture. Totoki added, “The key to driving growth in these areas will be adapting Sony’s innovation in various technologies,” such as sensors and cameras.

Aerosense products will utilize Sony’s image sensors, which already has an established presence in Apple Inc.’s iPhone and Samsung Electronic Co.’s Galaxy devices. Sony aims to expand its applications for its cash cow, including use in medical devices. Aerosense will be owned by both Sony and ZMP with each company owning about half of the drone company. Aerosense will not be selling the drones themselves, but will be providing services using the drones, reported a Sony spokesman.

Sony and ZMP have previously collaborated in order to develop technology to be used for autonomous driving cars. Sony continues to encourage an entrepreneurial spirit, as Mr. Totoki aims to use Sony Mobile as a “launchpad” for wide-reaching business ideas which span into the service business, such as education and real estate.

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