For about 4 years, Sony and Honda have been teasing an electrical and autonomous automotive. Final yr the challenge obtained a reputation, Afeela. Entry into an already crowded market with a brand new and new-agey-sounding identify is a steep hill to climb, however the three way partnership thinks it may possibly break by way of by bringing a brand new suite of “experiences” to the automotive area.
We lately obtained the prospect to take our closest look but at an Afeela prototype, one in such early levels that we weren’t allowed to open the hood, trunk, and even the middle console under-armrest storage compartment. We couldn’t drive it both, however have been in a position to higher perceive the route Afeela plans to take on-board know-how and leisure.
The very first thing seen is that the Afeela blends into the background, even in an in any other case largely empty showroom. That is by design. Its form is clear and decidedly un-aggressive, uncluttered by the swoops and surfacing that characterize many fashionable designs. That’s as a result of the Afeela was made to let the proprietor’s persona take middle stage through many customization choices.
The typical particular person could be arduous pressed to know that two of the most important model names on the earth are behind the tranquil, river pebble form. Neither Sony nor Honda have put their stamps on the automotive. Certainly, a consultant advised us repeatedly that Sony Honda Mobility is its personal factor, 50/50 from every however not Sony or Honda. When requested if Honda and GM’s now-scrapped partnership to construct EVs influenced the automotive, the consultant reiterated that Sony Honda Mobility is its personal entity and Afeela is the model. The identify seems as soon as within the taillight bar and might, if the motive force chooses, additionally seem on a display the place a standard grille could be.
That sliver of pixels known as the Media Bar, and will be custom-made to show a spread of knowledge. It reacts as you method the automotive and might present, for instance, how a lot battery cost is left, a pre-programmed theme matching the inside (extra on that in a bit), or a customized message. On the day we noticed the automotive it greeted every visiting visitor with their identify within the welcome message. Presumably there will likely be a filter for profanities or distasteful pictures, however SHM admit they haven’t labored that half out but.
The automotive additionally has no bodily door handles, only a button by the bottom of the window. Doorways open through a proximity fob, cellphone app, or facial recognition through a digicam within the B-pillar. When requested what occurs if there is no such thing as a energy, the consultant reminded us that that is an early prototype and SHM will handle such considerations earlier than the automotive goes into manufacturing.
The cabin appears to be like like that of a contemporary idea automotive. A panoramic touchscreen spans the width of the dashboard, seen always because of the steering yoke. Fortunately, the Afeela does nonetheless have bodily stalks, wipers on the left and a gear selector on the suitable. Two pretty standard-looking four-directional buttons for capabilities like quantity, monitor search and car data are positioned on the yoke’s spokes.
Bodily local weather management buttons reside below the middle of the panoramic display, and the middle console has a Mazda-style dial and 4 satellite tv for pc buttons, however we weren’t allowed to play with that. Every little thing can be controllable on the principle touchscreen. On both finish of the panoramic display are two smaller ones that act as digital aspect mirrors. The Afeela has bodily aspect mirrors on the surface as effectively, as a result of relying solely on digital ones is illegitimate in america.
The occasion trick right here is the Afeela’s infotainment interface. The panoramic touchscreen consists of 1 sweeping floor however is functionally divided into thirds. One sits earlier than the motive force and shows car data, maps, and so forth. The center and proper sections are the place the leisure capabilities occur, and sections will be swapped with the flick of a finger.
From a collage of app tiles much like a Netflix menu, one can choose digital amusements like films, video video games, even karaoke. And to reply the million greenback query, you possibly can certainly play Sony PlayStation video games within the automotive. There’s no precise console on board, however by connecting a PS4 or PS5 remotely, players can cease a sport at house and choose up the place they left off within the automotive through an in-car controller.
Customization choices will be mapped to particular person driver profiles, however Afeela additionally comes pre-programmed with “themes” primarily based on Sony properties. If a superhero fan chooses Spider-Man, purple and blue lighting and an internet motif is displayed on screens, together with the exterior Media Bar. Gran Turismo gamers can evoke a racing theme the place the Afeela’s engine-mimicking and pedestrian warning sounds impersonate a digital Le Mans racer.
When the Afeela begins to maneuver, any films or karaoke lyrics or sport screens robotically transfer to the suitable aspect in order to not draw consideration from the motive force. Nonetheless, contained in Afeela’s plan is Stage 3 autonomous driving, the place the automotive can drive itself in sure conditions, however doesn’t require fixed driver vigilance. The consultant was fast to say the 800 TOPS (Trillions of Operations Per Second) machine-learning AI the automotive will make use of, for security and recognition of autos and pedestrians, and adaptation to nighttime or dangerous climate situations. We would not be shock if such a manufacturing system could be initially solely usable in very particular situations
Two extra screens every concerning the measurement of a laptop computer display are hooked up to every seatback for rear passengers. They are often synced so all riders can have the identical expertise, or every one can do their very own factor. Sound is projected through an array of audio system, some positioned within the seats, as a part of Sony’s immersive 360 Actuality Audio system. Music and sounds can really feel like they’re coming from any route, and the consultant advised us that every occupant will be capable to take pleasure in their very own media.
When not doubling as a rolling theater, broad maps projected onto the prodigious display actual property will be simply manipulated with pinch-to-zoom and seamless 2D-to-3D rotation. Occupants can name up views from the Afeela’s many exterior cameras as effectively. Afeela may also have an app retailer the place builders can create their very own packages suitable with the automotive. This raises questions on safety, however we have been advised that they’re taking it significantly.
There are inner cameras as effectively to scan for driver alertness, however Sony Honda Mobility wouldn’t disclose the variety of cameras, sensors, or audio system within the automotive. From what we might discern visually, a charging port exists on both aspect’s entrance fender and the prototype sat on 245/40-R21 Pirelli P-Zeros. SHM wouldn’t say something concerning the energy, battery capability, vary, charging port kind or pricing. The consultant solely mentioned that the automotive could be AWD, and that they’ll be taking pre-orders subsequent yr with deliveries beginning in 2026.
We’ve been promised numerous interpretations of the cellular lounge for a decade. Afeela could be the closest car but to attaining it, even when nonetheless years away from manufacturing with modifications sure to be made. On the very least, the infotainment system appears to be like like it may be put into manufacturing with out a lot fuss.
We like that Afeela’s EV ethos is offering enjoyable slightly than making an attempt desperately to be edgy and funky, however we’re not satisfied that it’s breaking sufficient new floor to anchor a brand-new, uh, model. For those who’ll enable us a second of pure hypothesis, maybe one motive for the separate model is that Honda needs to retain its traditionally wonderful sporty driving really feel in an age of electrification. Afeela’s focus, then again, appears squarely located on digital dopamine hits, not dynamics.