While fans wait for the PS5 design and the price of the new console, Sony has now released an exciting patent. Will we no longer have to play alone on the PS4 and PS5 in the future?
Where does the information come from? Sony published a patent on April 16, 2020, which can be viewed at the US Patent & Trademark Office (via uspto.gov).
The patent introduces a robot that could accompany the player while gaming on the PS4 and PS5. The central component is a computing unit called the “feeling deduction unit.” We will explain what this means.
Will we soon play with a robot on the PS4 and PS5?
How exactly does the robot work? The robot has a processing unit (“feeling deduction unit”) that helps it respond to the user. This computing unit consists of three blocks:
- The first unit processes camera, biological data, and the motion sensor (“non-verbal”).
- The second unit uses the microphone. It presumably plays a role whether the user laughs, cries, or makes other sounds. (“users speech”)
- The third unit processes events. This refers to leveling up or completed missions. The robot can also respond to this.
The unit processes everything by matching the player’s data with data from an external server.
It might be worth going to bed early and listening to your robot
The patent also explains that the relationship between humans and machines is important. A good relationship develops from mutual contact and consideration for each other. For this purpose, the companion is supposed to use certain functions:
- For example, the robot has a “Joy-Index” stored. This means that the computer brain can assess how happy or excited one is at a moment.
- The robot can also offer advice. If the robot says, “let’s go to bed” and the user follows this, it positively impacts the relationship between robot and human.
- If humans and robots work well together, the interaction can also be expanded in the long term. (“expanding the future possibilities of the robot”).
Could there be a playing robot in the future? Please keep in mind that the ideas in this article are based on a patent. This does not necessarily mean that Sony will soon develop a product from it.
With patents, manufacturers usually secure innovative ideas that do not necessarily have to be implemented. It is unlikely that you will be able to game with a robot companion by the PS5 release, which is still supposed to be in 2020.
Nevertheless, it is not Sony’s first patent for PlayStation. Sony has already published a patent for a conversational AI, “PlayStation Assist”, which includes both the PS4 and PS5. There are also details about the PS5 controller and a known patent.
PS5 Controller – Does the patent reveal a feature?
While still waiting for the design and the official price of the PS5, the official PS5 Controller is now known. A patent from Sony became known even before the release. According to this patent, the controller is said to be able to process feelings.
