Sony isn’t just making the next game console. It’s building the next car.
The partnership between the tech giant and Honda (which operates as Sony Honda Mobility) has been years in the making. The result is Afeela. This isn’t just an electric car with a big battery on its chassis. This is an attempt to redefinir la relation entre les gens et la Mobilité (redefining the relationship between people and mobility). A key separator? Artificial intelligence is integrated into the structure of the drive.
At CES 2024, the latest prototype was on stage. Izumi Kawanishi, president and chief operating officer (COO) of Sony Honda Mobility, didn’t just roll it out. He was in control. He knocked Afeela to the floor with the PlayStation 5 controller. The final production model won’t let you drive like the a game character, but the message is clear. This car is entertainment first and foremost.
This is a gaming machine on wheels
Forget the standard infotainment screen. Afeela uses Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 5.3. This isn’t just about graphics. It powers the immersive entertainment experiences and aspects of safety with Augmented Reality (AR).
Sony didn’t stop at graphics. They hired Microsoft to build a personal conversational agent using Azure OpenAI services. You have a smarter co-pilot. spatial audio and active noise cancellation are also available. The vehicle are surrounded by a dense network of sensors. These gather 360-degree data streams. The data is fed into AR systems and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
What are the specifications?
The hardware numbers hasn’t changed since its first reveal, but it’s still impressive for an tech-heavy tech-focused brand.
- Power: 400 kW (536 hp)
- 0-100 km/h: 4.8 seconds
- Top Speed: 240 km/h
These figures suggest that this is a performance-oriented car, not a sluggish commuter hatch. The ADAS will likely start at level 2+ and can reach level 3 autonomy under certain conditions.
When Can You Buy One?
Sony and Honda have yet to drop a price tag. That’s standard for prototypes. The launch is scheduled to be introduced in 2026.
So what happens to the PlayStation controller? It stays on the coffee table. Afeela is real. The technology is real. The wait is the only thing left.
