The verified answer
As of Oct 2026, DEPLOY verifies Sony Depthsensing Solutions: 2 models. 1 source back the record.
Overview
Sony Depthsensing Solutions (formerly SoftKinetic Systems) develops 3D time-of-flight (ToF) depth sensors and gesture recognition software for automotive, robotics, mobile, and AR/VR applications. A subsidiary of Sony Semiconductor Solutions, the Brussels-based team created the DepthSense® line of CMOS ToF sensors and cameras, with deployments in BMW's gesture control system and Sony's AIBO entertainment robot. The company is now pioneering SPAD-based dToF depth sensors for automotive LiDAR and in-cabin monitoring systems.
Verified record
- Verified deployments
- None on file
- Active incidents
- None on file
Key facts
Headquarters
Status
Type
Data & sources
Press releases
1
1 source backing this record.View all →
Models (2)
View all models →Current platform
IMX479 SPAD Depth Sensor
Stacked direct Time-of-Flight (dToF) SPAD depth sensor designed for automotive LiDAR applications. Achieves 300m detection range, 5cm distance resolution, and 37% photon detection efficiency. Targets Level 3 autonomy and beyond. Sample availability Autumn 2025.
Current platform
DepthSense
Line of 3D time-of-flight (ToF) CMOS depth sensors and cameras based on Current Assisted Photonic Demodulation (CAPD) technology. Deployed in BMW gesture control systems, Sony AIBO entertainment robot, and automotive in-cabin monitoring applications.
Partnerships
Every company Sony Depthsensing Solutions has built with, alongside the ones only announced in a press release.
Most-frequent partners
Most recent
- Sony Depthsensing Solutions x BMW2015-01-01with BMWoperating
Sony Depthsensing Solutions on the deployment map
View the global mapSony Depthsensing Solutions has no verified deployments on the DEPLOY registry yet. Explore the deployment map by place and type.
No verified deployments for Sony Depthsensing Solutions on the DEPLOY record yet. Track Sony Depthsensing Solutions to know the moment the first one is verified.
Relationships
Current leadership (1)
- Daniël Van Nieuwenhove Presidentsecondary-verified
Former / Previously (2)
- Maarten Kuijk Co-founder (Optrima)secondary-verified
- Akihiro Hasegawa CEOsecondary-verified
Safety record
No incidents on record for Sony Depthsensing Solutions.
Only active incidents are counted. Retracted incidents are excluded from this summary but remain reachable at their canonical URLs.
Full safety record: incidents, sourcing, and exposure data →
Recent coverage
Sony Depthsensing Solutions in third-party press
Peer companies
- Google21 models
- Roborock20 models
- ST Telemedia Global Data Centres11 models
- Unitree Robotics10 models
- Teraco Data Environments8 models
- AirTrunk7 models
Financial state
- Reporting basis
- aggregator_estimate
- Lifecycle stage
- early
- Counterparty risk class
- unknown
Each numeric field carries its own basis marker. Aggregators report a number; this surface preserves the source class so verification depth travels with the value.
Partnerships
4 total · 4 operating
Every company Sony Depthsensing Solutions has built with, alongside the ones only announced in a press release.
Most recent
- Sony Depthsensing Solutions x BMW2015-01-01with BMWoperating
All 4 partnerships
open in the atlas →- technology—operating
- technology—operating
- technology—operating
- technology2015-01-01operating
Funding rounds (2)
- Acquisition2015-10-08
Investors: Sony Corporation (strategic)
- Series B2010-09-10
$11M(reported)
Investors: Belgacom (strategic), SRIW Techno (lead)
Recent activity
Every change to this record is dated, sourced, and independently verified where marked.
- Record createdAug 9, 2026
Added to the verified registry
Sources (1)
Common questions
What is Sony Depthsensing Solutions?
What does Sony Depthsensing Solutions make?
Is Sony Depthsensing Solutions publicly traded?
Who competes with Sony Depthsensing Solutions?
Who is the CEO of Sony Depthsensing Solutions?
How can I invest in Sony Depthsensing Solutions?
Where is Sony Depthsensing Solutions headquartered?
Who owns Sony Depthsensing Solutions?
Where does Sony Depthsensing Solutions operate robots?
Is Sony Depthsensing Solutions a top robotics company?
When was Sony Depthsensing Solutions founded?
Is Sony Depthsensing Solutions safe?
Methodology: Verified · 1 source (1 primary) · last reviewed 2026-08-24
Verification posture
Verified
High confidence
Review state
Stable
Last reviewed 2026-08-24
Sources by quality tier
- 1
- primary-company-ir
- Company IR disclosure
The framework is documented at /methodology. Corrections at /corrections. Reviewer: DEPLOY editorial team.
Methodology surface for Sony Depthsensing Solutions.Peer companies
- Google21 models
- Roborock20 models
- ST Telemedia Global Data Centres11 models
- Unitree Robotics10 models
- Teraco Data Environments8 models
- AirTrunk7 models
In the press
Recent coverage mentioning Sony Depthsensing Solutions from third-party publications. Automatically surfaced; not part of the verified registry record.
From VUB spin-off to global player in 3D technology
VUB interview with Daniël Van Nieuwenhove, President of Sony Depthsensing Solutions, tracing the journey from VUB lab spin-off Optrima through SoftKinetic merger and Sony…
Sony Semiconductor Solutions unveils high-performance SPAD depth sensor for automotive LiDAR
SoftKinetic becomes Sony Depthsensing Solutions
Sony rebrands SoftKinetic to Sony Depthsensing Solutions two years after acquisition, integrating DepthSense ToF technology into BMW gesture control and Sony AIBO entertainment…
Sony Acquires Belgian Innovator of Range Image Sensor Technology, Softkinetic Systems S.A.
Sony Corporation completes acquisition of Softkinetic Systems, the Belgian ToF range image sensor company, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary to advance next-generation range…
in3Depth Systems funding: SoftKinetic holding company pockets €8 million
in3Depth Systems (SoftKinetic/Optrima holding) closes first tranche of Series B with €8M from Belgacom and SRIW Techno for 3D gesture recognition and ToF sensor technology.
Machine-readable surfaces
- Markdown mirror: /companies/sony-depthsensing-solutions.md
- RSS feed: /companies/sony-depthsensing-solutions/feed.xml
- JSON-LD: embedded in this page’s head
- REST API: /v1/companies/1bc43c23-7bbf-408e-95ac-e2bbaaec0055
- Revision history: /companies/sony-depthsensing-solutions/history
- Data documentation: /data
- Query this programmatically: Deploy MCP
Peer companies
- Google21 models
- Roborock20 models
- ST Telemedia Global Data Centres11 models
- Unitree Robotics10 models
- Teraco Data Environments8 models
- AirTrunk7 models
Video
At the Industrial Vision Days forum organized by VDMA Machine Vision, LUCID gave a Time of Flight (ToF) presentation titled “Advanced Material Handling with the new Sony DepthSense Time of Flight Technology” by Jenson Ch
Sony brings advanced time-of-flight gesture control technology to automobiles: With DepthSense CARlib, there’s no need to push buttons or touch screens: from no
Discover the Sony Depth Sensing solution demo vehicle with image sensor technology ⇒⇒ Subscribe for more ► http://bit.ly/autosenstvsub ◄ Find out about our n
Sony Depthsensing Solutions demonstrates the future of in-car sensing for driver and occupant monitoring for enhanced safety, comfort and personalization. Exci
Machines that see and understand the world around them? It’s possible with depthsensing technology that maps surroundings, objects, and people more reliably and
Machines that see and understand the world around them? It’s possible with depthsensing technology that maps surroundings, objects, and people more reliably and
Heat Index
Serious56/100
A composite of competitive footprint, funding, press velocity, active partnerships, and supply-chain edges. Different from the Intelligence score below (which is per-form-factor productization). Non-robotics companies cap at 25.
Reality vs attention
Sony Depthsensing Solutions draws attention at the 59th percentile but verifies reality at the insufficient-data level among other robots.
6-month trend
Analysis
Funding runway warrants monitoring: last known round 134 months ago.
Signal flags
Dimension breakdown
Verified signal
Attention (reach, not merit)
DEPLOY Intelligence scores are computed from verified registry data: confirmed deployments, disclosed funding rounds, regulatory filings, active job listings, video viewership, and press coverage. Confidence ratings reflect data availability. Scores update nightly.
DEPLOY Indices — verified vs claimed
Last computed: Oct 6, 2026