SI: Sony Wonder Technology Lab In NYC Gets Multi-Million Dollar Facelift

[Christopher]

This summer, experience 14 new interactive exhibits at the Sony Wonder Technology Lab (SWTL), a state-of-the-art technology and entertainment museum open free to the public. The new exhibits are the result of extensive collaboration between Sony’s electronics and entertainment companies and more than a year of development and construction. SWTL is located at Sony’s U.S. headquarters in downtown Manhattan at 550 Madison Avenue in New York City. The multi-million dollar renovation features two floors and 6,200 square feet of innovative new exhibits designed to inspire young visitors to think about how technology enables them to create, communicate and collaborate with one another. Many of the exhibits also provide historical context for the technological evolution that is rapidly transforming today’s society.

“The multi-million dollar investment we’ve made in this facility reflects Sony’s ongoing commitment to education and the communities we serve,” said Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman, CEO and President of Sony Corporation. “The Sony Wonder Technology Lab is a manifestation of ‘Sony United’ in every sense. Bringing our content and technology together in this educational environment has enabled us to create a compelling and engaging experience for visitors of all ages.”

Visitors can design a unique digital profile at Log In; and explore the inner workings of digital devices at How Devices Work. They can learn tricks of the trade, create an animated character or design a computer-generated world in the Animation Studio. They can see their very own dance moves performed by their favorite Sony-animated characters in Dance Motion Capture. They can program a robot in the Robot Zone. And they can use haptic technology to “feel” what it is like to perform open heart surgery in the Lab’s Virtual Surgery experience. They can even become a part of a broadcast production team at WSWL, the Lab’s HDTV Production Studio, and learn about digital signals, nanotechnology and much, much more. All of the interactive exhibits are activated using Sony’s FeliCa contactless IC (integrated circuit) cards provided to visitors at the entrance to the Lab.

As part of Sony Corporation’s ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability, the Sony Wonder Technology Lab is pursuing LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification from the U.S. Green Buildings Council. In addition to taking an environmentally conscious approach to construction, Sony has also worked hard to incorporate content into its exhibits that helps raise awareness of global environmental concerns while providing a glimpse of how technology is being used to help solve global challenges.

The Sony Wonder Technology Lab occupies 14,000 square feet and is fully funded by Sony Corporation of America. Its exhibits are targeted primarily to visitors aged 8 to 14. The renovated third and fourth floor exhibits are a result of a multi-year collaboration between Lee H. Skolnick Architecture + Design Partnership/Big Show Construction Management Joint Venture, Unified Field, and the following Sony companies and joint ventures: Sony Corporation; Sony Computer Entertainment America; Sony Electronics Inc.; Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications; Sony Music Entertainment; Sony Online Entertainment; and Sony Pictures Entertainment (including Sony Pictures Animation and Sony Pictures Imageworks). Media hardware systems were designed and implemented in conjunction with Scharff-Weisberg, Inc. and Three Byte Intermedia, and lighting was developed in consultation with Available Light.

Over 200,000 people visit the Sony Wonder Technology Lab each year, and nearly 3 million have visited the space since it first opened in May 1994. Additionally, the Lab offers various educational programs consistent with New York City and State learning standards, as well as community-based events for diverse audiences to complement its permanent exhibits.

All exhibits are ADA compliant, and SWTL accommodates those with special needs, offering sign language tours and wheelchair accessibility.

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