Revolutionary Honda & Sony Afeela Redefines EV Sedan
In early 2022, Honda did not disappoint when they announced their plan to start a joint venture with Sony to make and sell electric vehicles (EVs) with a delivery goal of 2025: Sony Honda Mobility (SHM). Together, they would plan, design, develop, and sell EVs, but Honda would handle the production at one of their factories. Early in 2023, they revealed the name of their first EV, the Afeela, during the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. SHM also mentioned it would be available for purchase in 2024, with the first deliveries in North America in 2026.
Let's explore the features of the most recent prototype that SHM has been showcasing around the country for the public and media. On top of the “futuristic” design, some of the biggest highlights come with the combination of the safety and driver assistance systems from Honda with the entertainment and interactive features of Sony.
Afeela Exterior Design and Aesthetics
The Afeela follows its predecessors when it comes to a low-key design, in line with the newest EVs like the Lucid Air and Tesla Model S. The best way to describe this look comes directly from their website where they call it “minimal decorative lines and form remind that of a spaceship”.
The most exciting and unique exterior element despite the similarities to newer EVs is the narrow external display screen, dubbed the “Media Bar”, that allows the vehicle to show information and interact with people outside the vehicle.
Afeela Interior Comfort and Technology
For a sedan, the Afeela is rather spacious with a simple and clean design with a glass roof on the top that enhances the openness. The dashboard is entirely digital and consists of massive screens that run from door to door immediately. These Ultra HD screens display whatever information the driver needs and show music and movies that play through the surround audio system. The rotary controller ahead of the center armrest helps access the car’s digital dashboard, and from a distance, it all resembles the interface of the PlayStation console, no doubt part of the entertainment and interactive features from Sony.
On the prototype, Honda equipped it with the U-shaped steering wheel that has been seen among several other “futuristic” elements. The interior glows with ambient light with various themes that can change color and lighting inside and outside the vehicle when selected. While they are on the current prototype traveling the country, some of these more aesthetic elements are still up in the air for the final model’s official launch.
Afeela Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
SHM aims to achieve the highest level of AD/ADAS and plans to do so by combining Sony’s sensory technology, Honda’s safety technology, and other intelligent technologies to accomplish that. Based on the prototype, they plan to offer Level 2+ and Level 3 driver-assistance technology. The Afeela will have all the safety and driver-assistance systems from Honda like:
- Standard automated emergency braking
- Standard lane-departure warning
- Standard lane-keeping assist
- Standard adaptive cruise control
Level 3 will also include a self-driving feature that many new models across various brands are coming equipped with. It will come with 45 cameras and sensors scattered throughout the inside and outside of the vehicle. Using Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Digital Chasis, it will help run the features like advanced driver safety assistance systems and telematics.
Honda and Sony Cutting-Edge Innovations
With the Afeela, SHM has put a strong emphasis on software and user interface technology as much as the driving dynamics and performance. Chief Executive Yashudie Mizuno stated that consumers can expect “a wealth of entertainment options” for this car.
Sony’s Gaming Influence on the Afeela
One of the most-discussed smart technologies that SHM has revealed is the Unreal Engine graphics technology from Epic Games, which produces Fortnite. They are designing the interfaces for the vehicle, which has been used by other brands like GM for the Hummer EV. General Manager Takuya Nishibayashi said they are “working on a way for the Afeela to be a mobile gaming platform for PlayStation.” SHM is looking to add remote car gaming capability and other engineering as a way to have a physical PlayStation console inside the vehicle.
Image via https://www.shm-afeela.com/en/... Taking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to the Next Level
SHM also mentioned that they want to upgrade the driving interface that consumers are used to. Using software, they want to do something to deliver a user experience better than Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, adding a capability to phone mirror directly to the digital screen. This is just one example of the way SHM plans to use software to turn the EV into an entertainment platform for drivers and passengers. They plan to define new mobility experiences for drivers to set them apart as more EVs continue to emerge on the market.
The SHM Afeela Sedan Redefines Automotive Excellence
As of mid-2023, SHM has yet to release more information about the performance and engine specifications since the Afeela is still a prototype. Based on the information on their website, they plan to launch an AWD option, as well as a double wishbone suspension in the front and a multi-link in the back.
By working alongside pioneers of a new future of creativity, SHM’s mission is to pursue innovation in mobility. With some of their more advanced driving, safety, and user experience features that are a result of a vehicle manufacturer and primarily entertainment-focused company, the Afeela will bring some outstanding features and strengths to the EV market that will make it a vehicle to rival.
If you want to learn more about the Afeela or see more pictures, visit their website.