Sony Mobile has jointly founded its own drone company, which will offer enterprise solutions using unmanned aircraft.
The smartphone company has formed Aerosense with Japanese robotics company ZMP, with the business set to be incorporated next month.
Sony said Aerosense would use image capture and cloud-based data processing to deliver the likes of measurement, surveying and inspection services.
Sony will provide its camera, sensing, telecoms and robotics technology for the new company. ZMP will assist with its own automated driving and robotics tech, as well as its experience working with various enterprises.
The launch of Aerosense is the latest step by Sony Mobile to move into the Internet of Things sector. It already has released its own range of smartwatches and is readying its Project Morpheus virtual reality headset for launch next year.
ZMP said the formation of Aerosense marked its latest move to develop self-driving vehicles. It is already testing a fleet of driverless cars, although it said these tests were “limited”.
Google and Facebook are among the other companies testing drones, with both looking to use them to bring wireless connectivity to areas that do not have it.
In March, Google’s product chief Sundar Pichai said its drone program could be extended to Europe, with remote connectivity bolstered by its Project Loon initiative, which uses hot air balloons.
Operators have been using drones for network maintenance, with du in the Middle East recently teaming up with Nokia Networks to examine the health of its infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Cosmote in Greece has also used drones for network inspection, with it teaming up with Ericsson for the project.