Sony Corporation Global Headquarters

[ June 2009 ]

• Dye-sensitized solar cell is a new type of solar cell, an electrochemical system that produces energy from light that shines on dyes. The technology has attracted interest in recent years because manufacturing these solar cells is more environmentally friendly and less costly than manufacturing conventional silicon solar cells. Designers also face fewer restrictions in the colors and shapes that can be created. Sony has been involved in R&D geared at practical adoption of the technology as we study dyes, device structures, manufacturing processes, and improved reliability. Meanwhile, concept development remains another focus, as good design reveals ways to introduce the new solar cells in lifestyles of the near future.

[ June 2009 ]

• The Sony Group was again among the exhibitors at Tokyo Big Sight when Eco-Products 2008, Japan's largest eco-exhibition, was held last December. It was an opportunity to introduce our current conservation initiatives and environmental technology. New "odo" models were shown as an example of forward-looking design concepts, and workshops gave children a chance to use their own kinetic energy to power working odo prototypes.

[ December 2008 ]

• The Sony Group was among the exhibitors at Eco-Products 2007 at Tokyo Big Sight, Japan's largest eco-exhibition. The event was an opportunity to introduce a range of Sony environmental initiatives on the themes of reduce, recycle, and innovate. At the corner for innovate, Sony presented "odo", design models powered by kinetic energy.

[ October 2007 ]

• For the Next Generation is a catchphrase describing Sony CSR activities aimed at establishing a sustainable society. This thinking forms the basis of the "odo" design concept group, whose devices are powered by kinetic energy. The devices tap into children's creativity, curiosity, and energy. In return, they offer new experiences, a sense of social consciousness and ecological values, and inspiration in forward-looking ways, which enhances their value even more. They are an invitation to enjoy a new level of interaction with devices, having fun moving parts, turning cranks, and using your body to generate energy as you play with them.

[ December 2008 ]

• Sony has developed bio batteries that generate electricity by using enzymes to break down carbohydrates, in the form of glucose. These batteries apply the innate ability of organisms to gain energy from nutrients, which, instead of being converted for vital activities, are used to produce electrical energy. To explain this unprecedented system for generating energy from glucose in a clear and elegant way, Sony R&D and design departments collaborated in matters of design.

[ December 2008 ]

• Conveying product information in formats accessible to more consumers involves "information design" that is as critical as product design itself. To make Sony products easier to use for vision-impaired people, we have prepared voice recordings of the text of some user manuals, which can be downloaded from the Sony product information website as audio or text files. As of September 2008, recorded manuals are available for the following seven products.

[ December 2006 ]

• Sony's successful launch of contactless smart cards made of Bioplastic derived from biomass marked a world first. For a design that captures the appeal of this material, Sony designers worked with card developers to perfect the graphic design and finish of the cards. Here are some of the examples.

[ December 2006 ]

• Since 1989, Sony has been making full efforts to support the environment. Toward this end, we have sponsored many package redesign projects and are committed to considering the environment, not only to create environmentally-friendly designs but also to reduce material use.

[ December 2006 ]

• Since its foundation, Sony Design has adhered to its principle of "ease-of-use" design. Its principles have been implemented through product development in the pursuit of operability and functionality from the users' viewpoint. Examples of products are demonstrated.