Sony's gaming division just bought an AI startup that turns photos into 3D volumes
Sony Interactive Entertainment, owner of the PlayStation brand, has acquired Cinemersive Labs , a UK startup developing tools to convert 2D photos and videos into 3D volumes. The startup team will join Sony's Visual Computing Group , a research engineering team focused on graphical technology, including game rendering, video coding and generative AI models. Cinemersive's most recent product is a virtual reality app called Parallax that works as a viewer for parallax photos — three-dimensional images that you can peer around with natural head movements — captured using traditional smartphones and professional cameras with stereo lenses. The startup developed custom AI tools to convert 2D images into 3D volumes to make Parallax possible, and Sony apparently wants to apply that expertise to its own projects. "Following the acquisition, the Cinemersive Labs team will join SIE’s Visual Computing Group (VCG) and contribute to our broader efforts in advancing state of the art visual computing within games," Sony says. "This includes applying machine learning to enhance gameplay visuals, improve rendering techniques, and unlock new levels of visual fidelity for players." Machine learning has been a major focus of Sony's efforts to improve graphical performance on the PlayStation 5 and future hardware. The PlayStation 5 Pro was designed around a new GPU, faster storage and PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), custom AI upscaling tech that let the console run games at a lower resolution and then upscale them to 4K. The company recently squeezed even more performance out of the Pro with an updated version of PSSR it released in March. And with AMD, Sony is working on Project Amethyst , a multi-pronged collaboration to improve ray tracing and upscaling on the future consoles. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/sonys-gaming-division-just-bought-an-ai-startup-that-turns-photos-into-3d-volumes-220648699.html?src=rss
Sony Interactive Entertainment, the parent company of the PlayStation brand, has made a significant acquisition in the realm of artificial intelligence and gaming technology. The company has purchased Cinemersive Labs, a UK-based startup that specializes in converting 2D photos and videos into 3D volumes. This move marks a strategic step for Sony to enhance its capabilities in visual computing and graphical technology, particularly in the context of gaming.
Cinemersive Labs, the startup that has now become a part of Sony's stable, developed a virtual reality app called Parallax. This app serves as a viewer for parallax photos, which are three-dimensional images that allow users to explore the scene with natural head movements. These parallax photos are captured using traditional smartphones and professional cameras equipped with stereo lenses. The startup's breakthrough came through the development of custom AI tools that convert 2D images into 3D volumes, making Parallax a groundbreaking product in the VR space.
Upon acquiring Cinemersive Labs, Sony plans to integrate the startup's team into its Visual Computing Group (VCG), a research engineering team that focuses on graphical technology, including game rendering, video coding, and generative AI models. The acquisition aims to leverage Cinemersive's expertise in AI-driven 3D conversion technologies to advance Sony's own projects in gaming.
In a statement, Sony outlined its intentions for the acquisition: "Following the acquisition, the Cinemersive Labs team will join SIE’s Visual Computing Group (VCG) and contribute to our broader efforts in advancing state-of-the-art visual computing within games," the company said. "This includes applying machine learning to enhance gameplay visuals, improve rendering techniques, and unlock new levels of visual fidelity for players."
Sony's focus on machine learning and AI has been evident in its efforts to enhance graphical performance on the PlayStation 5 and future hardware. The PlayStation 5 Pro, for instance, was designed with a new GPU, faster storage, and PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), a custom AI upscaling technology. This feature allows the console to run games at a lower resolution and then upscale them to 4K, providing a superior gaming experience.
Recently, Sony has continued to optimize the PlayStation 5 Pro's performance by releasing an updated version of PSSR in March. Additionally, Sony is collaborating with AMD on Project Amethyst, a multi-pronged initiative aimed at improving ray tracing and upscaling capabilities on future consoles. This partnership underscores Sony's commitment to pushing the boundaries of graphical technology in gaming.
The acquisition of Cinemersive Labs is another significant step in this direction. By integrating the startup's AI expertise into its Visual Computing Group, Sony aims to enhance the visual fidelity and realism of its games, providing players with more immersive experiences. The potential applications of Cinemersive's technology are vast, ranging from improving in-game graphics and rendering techniques to developing innovative VR experiences.
In the competitive landscape of gaming consoles, Sony's investment in AI and visual computing is a testament to its dedication to staying at the forefront of technological innovation. With the addition of Cinemersive Labs to its roster, Sony is poised to leverage cutting-edge AI tools to elevate the quality and realism of its gaming offerings, further solidifying its position as a leader in the industry.
As the gaming world continues to evolve, the integration of AI and advanced visual computing technologies will play a crucial role in shaping the future of gaming experiences. Sony's acquisition of Cinemersive Labs is a bold move that signals the company's commitment to innovation and its desire to deliver unparalleled visual experiences to players. Only time will tell how this acquisition will impact the gaming landscape and the future of Sony's PlayStation brand.
