Softkinetic Gets New CEO

PRNewswire: SoftKinetic, the fully owned Sony subsidiary, announces that Akihiro Hasegawa has joined the company as CEO. Bringing over 35 years of experience with Sony Corporation, Hasegawa's appointment follows Sony's acquisition of SoftKinetic in October 2015. His leadership and experience with Sony will harmonize the strategic vision of the two companies as SoftKinetic continues to lead and innovate in the 3D vision and gesture recognition solution markets.

"SoftKinetic's award-winning technology is behind many of the 3D and gesture-based features available today in automotive, gaming, VR and AR, and it is an important complement to Sony's image sensor business," said Mr. Hasegawa. "Yet, there is much more opportunity ahead. I am looking forward to living in Belgium, growing the SoftKinetic team and moving the company towards even greater successes."

Hasegawa's goal is to guide SoftKinetic from start-up to a mature, global company using his core values - burezu (determination), dojizu (a firm mindset), and kakujitsu (confident execution).

Hasegawa began his career with Sony as an engineer before moving on to Sony's component and device, and then to sales and marketing. He has been a VP of Sony Corporation since June 2011, and has lived in Asia as well as the US in other executive roles within Sony.

Michel Tombroff, the former Softkinetic CEO, has left the company.