Sony creates drone company to find more customers for its image sensors

It is unclear as to what kind of drones or robots that both companies will be coming up with, but it will be interesting to see Sony‘s imaging and telecommunications technology applied to such devices.

Drones have fast become a tech-lover’s next must-have purchase and companies like DJI and Parrot have capitalised on their ever-increasing popularity, but investment from Sony’s mobile division suggests that it wants a piece of this pie.

The drone industry continues its steady growth despite the lack of government regulations and many issues plaguing it, including the question of safety and privacy. The services will include measuring, surveying, observing and inspecting facilities.

“They could also be used to inspect farmland to check for damage after a storm hits”, a Sony spokeswoman said. Few details about the winged drone concept illustration, attached to a ZMP press release, were available but more information is expected at an Aerosense event next month.

Imagery gathered by the drones will be processed by cloud-based servers.

Sony previously invested in robotics maker ZMP and now the company has announced that it is working with ZMP to produce Sony Drones.

“Sony Mobile is proactively engaging in new business creation initiatives, with a particular focus on the Internet of Things (IoT) sector”, the company said in a statement.

Aerosense will first offer drone services to businesses, to help with aerial land surveys and infrastructure surveys.

Tim Hornyak covers Japan and emerging technologies for The IDG News Service.