Sony Introduces a Futuristic car Controllable with a PS5 Controller

Sony Honda Mobility (SHM) is a collaboration between Sony and Honda, and they revealed their latest electric car, Afeela, at CES in 2023. In a recent event, they demonstrated the car's capabilities by driving it onto the stage using a PlayStation 5 controller.

Unlike other companies concentrating on making electric cars powerful with an extended range, Sony and Honda view the transition to electric vehicles as an opportunity to revolutionize how we travel.

Established in September 2022, SHM merges Sony's technology with Honda's mobility expertise, aspiring to become a "Mobility Tech company." The cars they manufacture are named Afeela.

Afeela, a prototype of a four-door sedan based on Sony's Vision S from a few years ago, comes equipped with various sensors and cameras to comprehend its surroundings and aid the driver.

While SHM is not currently striving to make the car fully autonomous, they have implemented a smart system called AI Vision Transformer to assist with driving in different conditions.

Internally, the car is designed to minimize distractions, allowing passengers to enjoy entertainment such as watching shows, playing games, or listening to music while on the move.

It's more than just a car; it's like a mobile entertainment space. At CES 2024, SHM shared some updates, including collaborations with Epic Games to utilize data from the car's sensors for an augmented reality (AR) map, enhancing safety.

They are also collaborating with Polyphony Digital to create a car experience that blurs the line between reality and virtual, akin to popular video games. They're partnering with Microsoft to develop a personal assistant for Afeela and providing opportunities for developers to create apps and services for the car.

SHM plans to start accepting orders for the Afeela in 2025 and aims to deliver the first cars in the US by spring 2026. It's a thrilling advancement in the electric vehicle landscape!