14 New Interactive Exhibits Designed to Celebrate 50 Years of Sony Support for
Education and Inspire the Next Generation of Leaders In Media, Science,
Technology and the Arts
NEW YORK, July 13 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 at 550 Madison Avenue in New York
City.
"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."
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.
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.
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. (NOTE: A complete list of SWTL exhibits
can be found at www.sonywondertechlab.com/vs-exhibits.html.) 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.
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.
The Sony Wonder Technology Lab is a free, four-story, interactive technology
and entertainment museum for all ages. Located in mid-town Manhattan, SWTL
inspires creativity in a high-quality, engaging, and family-friendly learning
environment. By inviting visitors to experience the latest technologies in a
hands-on setting, SWTL nurtures curiosity while awakening visitors to their
own talent and potential. Through its permanent exhibits and innovative
programs, including Sci-Tech workshops, ongoing screenings and associations
with well-respected local non-profit and educational institutions, SWTL aims
to educate and cultivate the next generation of leaders in media, science,
technology and the arts. The Sony Wonder Technology Lab is open to the public
Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sundays, from
12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, visit
www.sonywondertechlab.com.
