Skip to main content

Sony’s Xperia Agent is the cute little robot that could. But will he?

Adorable robots are always a winner at MWC, so it’s no surprise that Sony’s new concept robot — enigmatically named the Xperia “Agent” — is designed to endear. The globe-headed little ‘bot brought in plenty of onlookers at the show thanks in large part to his adorable eye slits, which blink as he looks around. However, like a lot of concept projects, the big question for this little ‘bot is, “What does it actually do?”

Well, nothing really — not just yet, anyway. Sony’s envisioned a sort of multi-tasking, connected role for the Agent — part Amazon Echo-style smart hub, part tabletop projector that beams images from the web out in front of it, and part Internet of Things smart controller. That’s if the Agent makes it off the drawing room floor. Still, even if it’s just a proof of concept, there are some intriguing plans for the Agent.

Your phone, in robot form

The “Xperia” part of the Agent’s name is linked to Sony’s smartphone lineup, as the little dude is designed to be something of an extension of your phone. In that regard, the ‘bot’s designed to perform the same voice-controlled actions you might do on your smartphone each morning, including sourcing news and weather, reading your messages, or even making video calls, all without the need to hold your device.

Internet of Things ambassador

In addition, the Agent could theoretically be your voice-operated hub for your smart home. Sony claims the little guy could complete a variety of IoT tasks, including everything from turning on the lights, controlling your thermostat and home security system, and possibly even sourcing streaming stations and accessing your multiroom sound system — preferably using one of Sony’s SRS-X speakers, of course.

Unfortunately, it’s not so easy to get a device like the Agent talking to all of your smart home devices. Sony couldn’t give us a clear answer as to whether the Agent would be a proprietary device — hooked into Sony’s own infrastructure — or an open-source device, able to speak the language of many different Internet of Things products. And, of course, that’s where the “concept” comes into play. There’s no clear plan for the Agent as of now.

Still, you have to admit, it’s hard not to love the Xperia Agent. Here’s hoping Sony’s carefully plotting his future, so it won’t be long before he’s joining us for breakfast and filling us in our our coming day.

Editors' Recommendations

Ryan Waniata
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Ryan Waniata is a multi-year veteran of the digital media industry, a lover of all things tech, audio, and TV, and a…
Widescreen Xperia 1 II super phone is full of Sony’s camera and visual expertise
sony xperia 1 ii photos launch price availability news 10 mk2 top

If MWC 2020 had not been canceled and had gone ahead as usual, Sony would have started the first day of the show with its own smartphone launch. While the event itself may not be happening, we’ve still got the details of Sony’s new phones — the Xperia 1 II and the Xperia 10 II.

Leaving the unusual decision to use numbers rather than letters to differentiate these updated models aside, here’s what you need to know about the new widescreen Sony smartphones.
Xperia 1 II
The Xperia 1 II (or Xperia 1 Mk2 as it’s also known) is a serious upgrade over last year’s flagship Xperia 1 Sony phone, and the good news is it comes with the latest tech most will demand from a phone in 2020. It also continues the strategy seen in the Xperia 5, where it pulls in expertise from other parts of the Sony empire to enhance the new phone.

Read more
Sony’s Xperia 1 is the first smartphone with a 4K OLED display
The Sony Xperia 1 with Alexa is available for $100 off until August 26
Sony Xperia 1

 

Sony has had a rough history when it comes to smartphones. Last year, the company vowed to do away with its boxy design philosophy and adopt more modern sensibilities. But the tech landscape changes quickly, and those phones are already starting to look a little dated. At Mobile World Congress 2019, Sony unveiled three new phones it hopes will lead the company into the future, though whether Sony really has a future in the mobile business remains to be seen.

Read more
This BLUETTI portable power station is truly weatherproof
Man using BLUETTI AC240 portable power station while camping to cook

It seems like we're covering a new BLUETTI launch here at Digital Trends every month, but that's okay. Thanks to the brand's excellent products, innovative advancements, and great features, people all over can access reliable power. Its latest launch, the BLUETTI AC240, is an IP65-rated weatherproof portable power station that delivers a comprehensive energy solution for outdoor enthusiasts, first responders, and beyond. Protected against dust, water, and elements, this expandable station creates an uninterrupted power source in any environment at any time. Moreover, it empowers users to stay connected, even with power-hungry devices, to tackle demanding tasks regardless of the current weather, environment, or location. Right now, you can save big by taking advantage of Early Bird pricing.
Buy Now
 
Why you should buy the BLUETTI AC240 all-weather portable power station

Imagine for a moment that you're camping with your family, hiking through the great outdoors, or even taking a long, scenic road trip through the countryside. In all of these situations, even when you're off-grid, you'll still need reliable access to power to charge your phone and tablet(s) and power up other electronics -- like a coffee maker when you wake up in the morning. Of course, power stations and power outlets don't exist randomly out in the wild. You could use your vehicle, but that will drain the battery and, in some cases, still won't provide enough power for what you want to do. Cue the BLUETTI AC240 portable power station and devices like it.

Read more