If you want a futuristic and innovative electric car, you might want to check out Afeela, the new brand from Sony and Honda. Afeela is the result of a joint venture between the two companies, which aims to create a new mobility experience that combines Sony's expertise in AI, entertainment, VR, and AR with Honda's experience in car production. Afeela was unveiled at CES 2023 in Las Vegas, showcasing its sleek design, advanced features, and Qualcomm-powered performance.
What is Afeela?
Afeela is a new electric car brand that symbolizes "feel," which is said to be at the "center of the mobility experience". According to Yasuhide Mizuno, the CEO of Sony Honda Mobility Inc. (SHM), Afeela represents 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.
Afeela is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon Digital Chassis, which provides the car with advanced driving systems, next-gen infotainment features, and telematics. The car also uses Epic Games' Unreal Engine technology to design interfaces for the vehicle. Afeela has over 40 sensors, including cameras, radar, ultrasonic, and lidar, that enable it to detect objects and drive autonomously.
Afeela is aiming to provide Level 3 autonomy, which means that the car can take over the driving tasks in certain conditions while the driver can relax or do other things. However, the Level 3 system is still in development and will only be available in select markets. Afeela also uses cloud connectivity to customize the user experience based on the driver's preferences and behavior.
One of the most distinctive features of Afeela is its digital-themed design, which includes a "Media Bar" on the front of the car that can display different information, such as the weather, charging status, and more. The car also has a wide, panoramic touchscreen that spans the length of the dashboard, providing access to various functions and entertainment options. The exterior design of Afeela is inspired by a spaceship, with a closed-off grille, a high-gloss black roof, and black hubcaps.
When will Afeela be available?
Afeela is expected to go on sale in North America in 2026, with pre-orders starting in 2025. The car will be priced to compete with other premium automakers, such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volvo, and Audi. Sony has said that it expects its software to offer subscription services, so vehicle owners will likely have to pay a monthly fee to access certain features.
Afeela is the first product of SHM, which was established in early 2022 as a joint venture between Sony and Honda. The two companies have collaborated since 2020 when Sony surprised everyone by revealing its Vision-S concept car at CES. The Vision-S was supposed to showcase what it would look like if Sony made a car, but it turned out that it was more than just a concept. The Sony Vision-S evolved into Afeela, which is based on the prototype that was revealed at CES 2023.
Afeela is a new car brand and a new vision for mobility that leverages Sony's and Honda's strengths in technology and innovation. Afeela promises to offer a unique EV experience that is interactive, immersive, and intelligent. If you are interested in Afeela, you can sign up for updates on their website or follow them on social media.
