Sony Made an AI-Powered Saxophone That You Control By Humming

Playing an instrument usually requires memorizing a bunch of different button or string combinations, but Sony's found an alternative for those lacking the motor control to do that. The company's now working on an AI-powered digital saxophone that's as easy to play as a cardboard tube ... for the most part.

Many electronics makers are finally offering accessories and tools that make their devices accessible to a wider audience. Earlier this year, Sony introduced the world to what would become the Access Controller, a highly customizable controller that promises to make the PlayStation 5 more accessible to gamers who aren't able to play with the console's standard DualSense controller. Now, at CEATAC 2023, the company's shown off yet another hobby it's making more accessible.

Sony's Ultra Light Saxophone prototype isn't as customizable as the company's Access Controller, but it doesn't need to be. The instrument has the traditional curved shape of a saxophone, but missing are the countless keys and the slim mouthpiece holding a wooden reed.

There's still a mouthpiece on the Ultra Light Saxophone, but a player simply has to place it over their mouth and then hum the sounds of the song they want to play. A microphone picks up the humming and passes it along to electronics inside the instrument, which use AI models to convert them into authentic saxophone sounds at the desired pitch in real time.

The Ultra Light Saxophone doesn't guarantee a flawless performance. If the performer's pitch is all over the place, so will the saxophone's. Almost anyone can start playing in just minutes, but to be the next Kenny G will still take lots of practice.

Unfortunately, unlike Sony's PS5 Access Controller, the company doesn't appear to have any plans to make the Ultra Light Saxophone available to consumers just yet. For now, those of us who are musically challenged will have to stick with our trusty kazoos.