Sony has launched its Motion Sonic device on Indiegogo. Motion Sonic is, in the words of Sony’s campaign, “effects gear to control sound in sync with your motion for playing music.”
Sort of like a Fitbit, the Motion Sonic device itself is a small capsule that can slot into distinctly shaped rubber wristbands. For use cases like playing guitar, there’s a band that attaches to your wrist, and another wraps around the back of your hand and is better suited to playing keys.
What the Motion Sonic device actually does is allow you to link hand motions to specific musical effects. For example, according to a report by The Verge, “you could set it to add a delay effect when you move fingers from left to right, or to bend pitch as you roll your wrist. These effects are all created and saved on an iOS app, then you need to connect your iPhone to your instrument with an audio interface. (It’s not compatible with Android.)”
Sony has actually had this project kicking around for quite a while and the Motion Sonic Indiegogo campaign lists Heesoon Kim as project lead, quoting him as saying “I believe we can create new entertainment never seen before with Motion Sonic and I’m so excited to create a new culture with you!”
The Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation isn’t new to crowdfunding, but most of its projects to date — like the Reon Pocket, an app-controlled “wearable air conditioner” — have been limited to its own First Flight site in Japan. Now that Motion Sonic is on Indiegogo, Sony will ship it to the United States of America as well as its home market. The first 400 units will sell for 23,900¥ or $218, and the retail price is 27,200¥ or $248. The product is scheduled to ship in March 2022.
