Sony Steers Its New Car Onstage Using A PlayStation Controller
Video screenshot via Sony
The CES 2024 show floor buzzed with excitement as Sony unveiled the Afeela, a concept electric vehicle birthed from a partnership with Honda. The model, a constant feature in CES for years, has steadily become a symbol of Sony and Honda’s foray into the EV arena, challenging established players like Tesla.
Set for release in 2026, the Afeela sedan will sport dual 241-hp electric motors on both its front and rear axles. It will have advanced artificial intelligence features nodding to the synergy between Sony’s technology and Honda’s automotive legacy.
Image via Sony Honda Mobility
At the press conference, the EV took center stage in a unique, rather game-changing (wink) demonstration.
With Sony Honda Mobility president and COO Izumi Kawanishi yielding a PlayStation 5 DualSense controller, a driverless car was deftly maneuvered onto the stage, its yoke steering wheel autonomously responding to Kawanishi’s inputs.
Video screenshot via Sony
With that said, this remote control showcase raised a few eyebrows among observers. Some questioned the authenticity of the demonstration, pointing out that Kawanishi’s thumbs barely moved on the controller.
Nonetheless, Kawanishi clarified that the PlayStation 5 feature was exclusive to the show-and-tell prototype and not expected in the final Afeela model.
The consumer-ready Afeela promises an array of features, including a personal conversational agent developed in collaboration with Microsoft, and a mobile entertainment hub with access to movies, music, and games. Additionally, it offers noise cancellation, keyless unlocking, and a plethora of sensors that convert the external world into a 3D navigable space.
Image via Sony Honda Mobility
