Sony and Honda unveiled a prototype of a brand new electrical automobile underneath the model identify Afeela on Wednesday.
The car, which appears to be like like a mid-sized sedan, was pushed on stage at CES 2023 in Las Vegas, with a brand new entrance finish sporting the Afeela emblem.
“Afeela represents our idea of an interactive relationship the place individuals really feel the feeling of interactive mobility and the place mobility can detect and perceive individuals and society by using sensing and AI applied sciences,” Yasuhide Mizuno, Sony Honda Mobility chief govt mentioned.
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Sony, Honda Show Afeela Concept Car at CES 2023
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The Afeela logo appeared on a narrow screen or “media bar” on the vehicle’s front bumper that can also interact and share information with people outside the vehice or passersby such as the weather or the car’s state of charge, as demonstrated on stage. Mizuno didn’t offer many details on why the name Afeela was selected apart from sharing that the word “feel” was at the heart of the mobility experience.
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 help detect the driver’s condition to help ensure safety, the company said. On the software side, it will use technology from Qualcomm including its so-called Snapdragon Digital Chassis, while best-in-class entertainment for movies and games will also be on tap thanks to Sony’s side of the venture.
“In order to realize intelligent mobility, continuous software updates and high-performance computing are required,” Mizuno added.
Sony sensors embedded on exterior of Afeela car
Sony/Screenshot by Sareena Dayaram
Read More: Sony Debuts Vision S SUV at CES 2022
Sony and Honda announced a joint venture last year to develop and build electric cars. The JV, called Sony Honda Mobility, aims to have pre-orders established for its electric vehicle in the first half of 2025, with sales to follow in the latter half of that year. The first shipments are earmarked to be delivered to customers in North America in the spring of 2026, Mizuno said.
James Martin/CNET
The company appears to be focusing on online sales, and Sony Honda Mobility has previously said it wants customers to “take part in the product development process,” whatever that means. The car will be produced at Honda’s facilities in North America.
