Sony honda new car brand AFEELA
“Afeela represents our concept of an interactive relationship where people feel the sensation of interactive mobility and where mobility can detect and understand people and society by utilizing sensing and AI technologies,” said Yasuhide Mizuno, Sony Honda Mobility chief executive.
Leaning into Sony’s strength in sensors, the Afeela concept car comes equipped with 45 cameras and sensors on the interior and exterior of the vehicle, some of which will be able to detect the driver’s condition to help ensure safety, the company said. The car will use technology from Qualcomm, including its Snapdragon Digital Chassis, while Unreal Engine graphics technology, which was used in General Motors’ Hummer EV, is slated to design interfaces for the vehicle.
Thanks to Sony’s side of the partnership, the Afeela car is expected to have best-in-class entertainment for movies and games on tap as well.
Sony Honda mobility, a joint venture between the two Japanese corporate giants had just unveiled its first EV, the AFEELA. Deliveries of the finished product are not scheduled to begin until 2026.
The prototype is also equipped with 45 cameras and sensors inside and outside the vehicle in order to ensure safety and security, said Yoshida. The in-cabin sensors will monitor the driver’s status in order to prevent accidents.
A color display between its left and right headlights showing the afeela logo. At the same time, a light embedded under the display lit up in an arc.
Inside the car a plush sued seat and a semicircular steering wheel that look like something from racing car game. Behind the steering wheel or half wheel, to be more precise to the passenger side. The section in front of the driver shows information such as driving speed and battery level.
A separate display on the passenger side shows maps, weather information, photo albums and the game start screen.
Sony has also incorporated its popular gaming system into the Afeela. With playStation 5 controller in the car, users can call up games on the entrainment system and pick up playing from where they left off at home.
The rare seats meanwhile boast iPad sized touch screens on either side, meaning everyone can pick their own favorite game or movie.
To enhance its entertainment offerings in the afeela, Sony has teamed up with Epic Games, the U.S video game maker behind the hit title Fortnite.
To get out of the car, passengers press the open/close button on the side of the door.
Afeela will also have Level 3 autonomous driving, meaning the driver does not need to control the car under certain circumstances.
Level 5 is a fully self-driving car that does not need human intervention. Other companies, both in Japan and elsewhere, are working to commercialize
Level 4 autonomous vehicles, but Kawanishi said SHM had a reason for choosing Level 3.
“Suddenly not having to steer the car can in itself be worrisome,” he said. “Human senses need to grow together with the car until they catch up with automated driving.”
