Lately, Sony’s patents have been the best way for fans and analysts to get a sneak peak at the PS5’s specs as the company stays mostly quiet on some of the more exciting features of the new system. However, one of the company’s latest patent shows a slightly different direction that the developer might be looking at enhancing the player experience as Next-Gen consoles prepare to release.
This most recent patent doesn’t involve the PS5 system at all, nor does it involve the new system’s highly advanced DualSense controller. Instead, Sony’s new technology seems to be related to gaming, but isn’t intended to plug-and-play directly with any specific system or interact with any games as much as it is meant to interact with the player.
The new device is meant to act as a companion for players, but not as a virtual buddy that lives in a console. Instead this companion takes the form of a friendly little robot that sits with the player and watches them play games. According to the patent, Sony’s new robot is able to detect and respond to players as they play through a game, joining in on the happy feelings that come with completing a level or beating a boss, as well as sharing in the sadness and frustration of loss. So, rest assured that this little buddy will be right by the player’s side for all of the hardest challenges on PlayStation.
At the moment, Sony’s robot companion doesn’t have a name, but from the figures, it would seem that the company intends for it to be perceived as friendly and comforting. However, some of the device’s functions, such as being able to use language recognition to determine the emotional state of its owner, can come off as slightly creepy. This wouldn’t be the first time that fans have been worried about a new Sony technology, seeing as how many were concerned by the DualSense’s features.
While some of the tech inside of the new robot companion does border on the darker ends of science fiction, the idea of a little buddy to keep players company while gaming is still fairly interesting. Plenty of gamers could use a new companion these days, as more and more people around the world are being incentivized to stay at home and play games. Although, there will still likely be a market for players looking to have someone to sit on the couch and play with them even after the world begins to open up.
The Robot Companion is currently being developed by Sony.
Source: US Patent Office (via Respawn First)
