Video: Sony executive uses PlayStation controller to drive company’s first electric car

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Sony has brought the Gran Turismo video games into real life by driving its latest electric-car prototype – developed with Honda – using a PlayStation controller. But the feature isn’t bound for the road.

The latest prototype of the first electric car from Japanese electronics giant Sony was driven onto a stage remotely – without a driver behind the wheel – using a controller for a Sony PlayStation 5 video-game console.

Developed in partnership with Japanese auto giant Honda, the electric car – known as the Afeela – was shown in its latest prototype form at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas after its unveiling a year ago.

The final version of the Afeela electric car is due to open for orders in the first half of 2025, ahead of US deliveries due in 2026, with vehicles planned to be built in North America.

However Izumi Kawanishi, president of Sony and Honda’s joint venture – and the executive who ‘drove’ the car on stage with a PlayStation controller – said this feature is for demonstration purposes for only, and won’t come to the showroom model.

The electric car is said to integrate OpenAI artificial-intelligence technology – which also powers ChatGPT – in its voice assistant, as well as software from US tech giant Qualcomm for a smarter satellite navigation function.

Sony Honda Mobility – the name of Sony and Honda’s joint-venture – says in-car visualisations of surrounding vehicles, pedestrians and terrain detected by the Afeela’s cameras will be powered by Unreal Engine 5, the software used for video games such as Fortnite or Mortal Kombat.

Meanwhile Sony will reportedly integrate its own television, movie and gaming products for in-car entertainment.

“We consider mobility as an entertainment space where we can enhance creativity,” Sony Group CEO Kenichiro Yoshida said in a media statement.

Video: Watch the Sony-Honda boss drive the Afeela with a PlayStation controller

The post Video: Sony executive uses PlayStation controller to drive company’s first electric car appeared first on Drive.

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