Sony and Honda’s Afeela: The Future of Electric Cars, Launching 2026

Sony and Honda’s Afeela electric car is gearing up for a 2026 launch, with an array of innovative features that blend entertainment, safety, and personalization.

Key highlights of the Afeela: The electric vehicle showcases unique features that leverage Sony’s expertise in entertainment and technology:

• A customizable “media bar” on the hood allows for personalized messages and branding, such as displaying the Spider-Man logo.
• Advanced safety features, including AI-powered ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) and cameras that detect obstacles like pedestrians.
• Collaboration with Epic Games to develop new entertainment and gaming features utilizing virtual space.

Cutting-edge technology under the hood: Sony Honda Mobility is integrating state-of-the-art technology to enhance the driving experience:

• Qualcomm’s high-performance SoCs (System on a Chip) for automotive applications will be used in the vehicle’s computing platform.
• The car will feature a 3D map overlaid with extensive metadata from the internet, offering possibilities for gaming and entertainment development.
• Unreal Engine 5, a powerful gaming engine, will be utilized to incorporate sensing and vehicle data.

Transforming the in-car experience: Afeela aims to redefine the relationship between people and mobility by creating an immersive, entertaining environment:

• The interior features a “panoramic” screen stretching from the driver’s side to the passenger side, which can be subdivided into different sections to reduce driver distraction.
• Rear-seat passengers have individual screens for watching TV, movies, playing games, or listening to music.
• The car boasts 360-degree spatial audio, creating a concert-like surround sound experience.

Autonomous driving and safety: Sony and Honda are working towards achieving higher levels of autonomous driving while prioritizing safety:

• The goal is to achieve Level 3 autonomy and Level 2 plus in various situations.
• Cameras, sensors, processors, and AI are dedicated to improving safety and recognizing conditions, people, and vehicles, even in adverse weather.
• Inward-facing cameras monitor the driver for distractions or drowsiness, with AI proactively sending alerts when needed.

Fostering creativity and personalization: Afeela encourages user creativity and expression through its open development environment:

• Creators and developers can freely develop applications and services that run on the vehicle’s digital platform.
• The car’s ambient lighting and themes can be customized to match user preferences, such as Sony’s Gran Turismo game or PSVR 2 headset.
• Integration with apps like Stingray Karaoke and PlayStation Remote Play allows for unique in-car experiences.

Looking ahead: As Afeela gears up for presales and a 2026 launch, it’s clear that Sony and Honda are aiming to create a vehicle that seamlessly blends cutting-edge technology, entertainment, and personalization. With its focus on safety, creativity, and user experience, Afeela has the potential to reshape the electric vehicle landscape and attract a new generation of tech-savvy car enthusiasts, particularly gamers.