X

Sony and Honda Drive New Electric Car Afeela Onto the CES Stage

The Sony sensors on its Afeela-branded electric car can detect objects around the vehicle as well as detecting the driver's condition.

Afeela Sony car announced at CES 2023

Sony announced a concept car at CES 2023.

James Martin/CNET

Sony and Honda have built a prototype of a new electric car. The vehicle, which is branded Afeela and looks like a midsized sedan, was driven on stage at CES 2023 on Wednesday.

"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.

Watch this: Sony Reveals Prototype of Its First Car

The Afeela logo appears on a narrow screen or "media bar" on the vehicle's front bumper. The bar can also interact and share information such as the weather or the car's state of charge with people outside the vehicle, as demonstrated on stage. Mizuno didn't offer many details on why the name Afeela was selected, but said the word "feel" is 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 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.

(Also at CES: BMW's i Vision Dee doubles as both a car and a friend. And VW unveiled a car clad in digital camouflage that changes color along with your music.)

"For the design, we are taking an approach that aims to set new value standards for mobility as we evolve automotive design to focus not only driving dynamics and performance, but also on software networks and interfaces," Mizuno said. 

Sony sensors embedded on exterior of Afeela car

Sony sensors embedded on exterior of Afeela car

Sony/Screenshot by Sareena Dayaram

Sony and Honda announced a joint venture at CES last year to develop and build electric cars. The JV, called Sony Honda Mobility, aims to have preorders 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.

Afeela Sony car announced at CES 2023
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.

Watch this: Sony, Honda Show Afeela Concept Car at CES 2023
Sareena Dayaram Senior Editor
Sareena is a senior editor for CNET covering the mobile beat including device reviews. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with more than a decade's worth of experience producing stories for television and digital publications across Asia's financial capitals including Singapore, Hong Kong, and Mumbai. Prior to CNET, Sareena worked at CNN as a news writer and Reuters as a producer.
Expertise Huawei, Oppo, smartphones, smartwatches Credentials
  • More than a decade of journalism experience
Sareena Dayaram
Sareena is a senior editor for CNET covering the mobile beat including device reviews. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with more than a decade's worth of experience producing stories for television and digital publications across Asia's financial capitals including Singapore, Hong Kong, and Mumbai. Prior to CNET, Sareena worked at CNN as a news writer and Reuters as a producer.

Article updated on January 5, 2023 at 2:59 PM PST

Our Experts

Written by 
Sareena Dayaram
CNET staff -- not advertisers, partners or business interests -- determine how we review the products and services we cover. If you buy through our links, we may get paid. Reviews ethics statement
Sareena Dayaram Senior Editor
Sareena is a senior editor for CNET covering the mobile beat including device reviews. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with more than a decade's worth of experience producing stories for television and digital publications across Asia's financial capitals including Singapore, Hong Kong, and Mumbai. Prior to CNET, Sareena worked at CNN as a news writer and Reuters as a producer.
Expertise Huawei, Oppo, smartphones, smartwatches Credentials
  • More than a decade of journalism experience
Why You Can Trust CNET
174175176177178179180+
Experts Interviewed
030405060708091011121314+
Companies Reviewed
108109110111112113+
Products Reviewed

We thoroughly evaluate each company and product we review and ensure our stories meet our high editorial standards.