Sony looks to get image sensors to new cars

Jefferson Graham | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Google's self-driving pod car unveiled Google's self driving technology has been limited to cars not made by google - until now. Google's own self driving 'pod' car made it's debut today in Mountain View, CA at the Google X headquarters.

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. — Don’t look for Sony to join the race to make self-driving cars.

That’s the word from Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai, who spoke Tuesday at the Wall Street Journal'sWSJD LIVE conference.

However, the iconic Japan-based consumer electronics company does see a place in future cars, via its image sensor technology.

Sony’s sensors are a staple of smartphone cameras. "If you like the images on your smartphone, chances are it’s from a Sony,” Hirai said.

Future autonomous cars, being explored by Google, Mercedes-Benz, Tesla, Apple and many others, are based on a combination of sensors, cameras, lasers and GPS to self-drive the cars.

For autos, “we have some great technology in image sensors that could be used,” Hirai said. “We want to see if the technology we have have applications in automotive. Is there a meeting of the minds?”

Kirai says he doesn’t see Sony making the car itself, but, “never say never. I love cars. But it’s not something we’re looking at right now.”

Follow USA TODAY technology reporter Jefferson Graham on Twitter: @jeffersongraham.