Sony is to try and establish a data analytics service as an extension of its image sensor business.

Recently Sony produced an integrated image sensor and AI processor. It can be reprogrammed remotely by wireless.

Sony’s idea is to establish a subscription-based or licensing-based service which will interpret the processed data for customers’ applications.

Sony’s current image sensor business is narrowly focussed with five mobile phone makers accounting for most of the revenues.

The subscription service is seen as a way of expanding the sensor business into new areas and growing a service with the potential to be bigger than the hardware sales.