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SonyAfeela might be just what this sleeping self-driving EV industry needs.
It’s been a long road for Sony Honda Mobility’sAfeelaEV prototype self-driving car.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Vision S was cool.
Afeela is a softball for wordplay mockery.
Part of the problem is that Sony, for the most part, kept the media atarm’s length.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Honda did not simply build an EV and ask Sony for its branding consent.
Instead, the fingerprints of both companies are all over the car.
Outside the building, a collection of pricey, eye-popping sports and classic cars sat.
I was almost immediately invited to sit in the mostly white interior.
First, though, I had to figure out hope to open one of the sedan’s four doors.
While most EVs have recessed handles, the Afeela has none.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
If app control is not your thing, small buttons are hidden near each window.
One press and the door swung open on its own.
There’s another button inside the door that I used to open and shut the car door.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
My gaze was instantly drawn to the virtually full dashboard touchscreen.
We swiped it to see various content options.
you might slide content toward or away from the driver.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
My favorite use of this display was as a giant navigation map.
However, this screen offered a clue.
I noticed the 0 MPH readout and a “Range” readout to the far left.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
The bar appeared to be 84% full and promised 234 miles remaining.
Even the 360 spatial audio sound system was incomplete, but they were willing to let me listen.
but also sonic soundscapes that were ear and cabin-filling.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
The rearview can switch between a standard mirror and a rear camera feed.
They showed maps but could be used to display movies, play games, access music, and more.
I like the Fortnite blue hue we ended up with.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
A rolling computer
Afeela is a smart car.
Company representatives told me the system is well-equipped to handle nighttime driving and bad weather.
The car will also get regular over-the-air system updates.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
What we do know, though, is what Afeela means.
Okay, we’ll take his word for it.
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(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
The app-connected bumper displays is kind of cool. It can show off special messages and, as seen here, even tell you how much battery is left. I wonder if they would consider letting drivers rent out the space to advertisers.
