Where the Diversity of Businesses, Technologies, and People Intersect

STEF is a technology exchange fair held annually by Sony Group since 1973. With many employees attending from both Japan and overseas, the event has served as a forum for fostering technological development and innovation through interaction within the group that transcends the boundaries of occupations and businesses.

Sony set forth its long-term "Creative Entertainment Vision" in 2024, aiming to deliver Kando through creativity and technology together with creators, partners, and employees. Inviting creators to STEF is part of Sony's efforts to incorporate the voices of creators, as well as to accelerate the creation of and implementation of technologies that address the challenges and needs of the entertainment industry.

Uniting Sony's Technologies, Designing a Future with Creators

A wide variety of creation technologies were showcased at the venue, including those designed to enhance interactivity and immersion of visuals, music, and location-based entertainment (LBE), as well as technologies for improving the quality and efficiency of content production. These technologies utilize the expertise Sony has acquired in a wide range of technical fields, including visual, acoustics, haptics, and sensing and robotics techniques.

Sensory Re:Fusion for LBE

This interactive exhibition integrates technologies utilizing visual, audio, vibration, wind, and scent effects to create a spatial experience where multiple people can participate using prototype controllers.

Feel So Music

Synchronizing vibrations and airflow-based tactile sensations with music, this technology provides an immersive and one-of-a-kind experience emulating a live concert venue.

Entertainment Swarm Robot System "groovots"

These robots can be outfitted with LED panels or other accessories and can coordinate to produce dynamic performances on stage at events such as music concerts.

XYN™ and Related Technologies

Including technological solutions that convert real-world spaces and objects into high-quality, photorealistic 3DCG assets, these technologies aim to support spatial content creation.

4D Capture Technology

By combining mirrorless cameras with high-precision sensing devices, this technology enables high-resolution capture and realistic rendering of moving 3D models.

For detailed information about each exhibit, please click here.

In addition to the technology exhibits, a networking area was set up in the center of the venue to match not only engineers with each other but also creators with engineers as well. "Being able to see what's going to be released in the future up close, plus being able to talk to the engineers and hear about not just their accomplishments but also about the technical limitations that still exist was really amazing. I thought the networking area was great for sharing our thoughts on the exhibited technologies with each other," said a visiting creator.

STEF is far from Sony's only initiative for building touchpoints with creators. By leveraging the network it has built through its entertainment businesses, including games, music, anime, and pictures, Sony is deepening its connections with creators across the entire group. By generating ideas through direct engagement with creators and by using technology to bring those ideas to life, Sony, alongside its creators, will continue to create an entertainment of the future that moves people's hearts.