Sony Group reorganized its R&D system and increased investment in key areas such as AI

According to Nikkei news reports, Sony Group has announced that it will reorganize the research and development system.

From fiscal 2023, part of the group's R&D functions will be transferred to electrical and semiconductor business companies, and the headquarters will focus on cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality. Clarify the division of R&D responsibilities within the group, and establish a system for rapid product and service development.

Senior Managing Director and CTO Hiroaki Kitano announced the news at the R&D policy briefing, and the electrical and semiconductor-related personnel and functions currently belonging to Sony Group's research and development organization "R&D Center" will be transferred to each operating branch. The number of personnel to be moved was not disclosed, but "it would be a reasonable number".

Currently, Sony's research and development are handled by each operating branch, and less mature technologies are pre-researched and reserved by the R&D center.

For the purpose of this reorganization, Kitano explained that it is to focus on supporting Sony's business in the future, focusing on the three areas of sensing, artificial intelligence and virtual reality.