Sony, the gaming juggernaut, wowed CES 2024 attendees by showcasing the aptitude to maneuver an actual automotive utilizing a PlayStation 5 DualSense controller.
Meet the Afeela, Sony’s inaugural electrical automobile crafted in collaboration with Honda, that includes cutting-edge tech like Unreal Engine 5.3, an AI imaginative and prescient system, and Microsoft Azure for a futuristic driving expertise.
Unveiled at CES 2023, this yr Sony added an exciting twist, highlighting its compatibility with the superior DualSense controller. Izumi Kawanishi, President of Sony Honda Mobility, took heart stage, remotely steering the Afeela with the DualSense, proving the controller’s synchronization with the automotive’s actions and displaying an inside-cabin feed, debunking any hidden driver hypothesis.
Kawanishi clarified that the DualSense demo was a tech showcase, emphasizing the Afeela isn’t supposed for gamer-driven adventures. But, it showcased the potential for software program to redefine automobile functionalities, reworking the connection between people and mobility.
Afeela’s integration with Unreal Engine 5.3 is a standout function, creating 3D maps and augmented actuality views on the huge infotainment system. The system overlays metadata on maps, providing entry to Sony’s leisure catalog. Unreal Engine 5.3 additionally powers the automotive’s multicamera AI-assisted driver techniques for automated driving coaching.
Afeela’s collaboration with Microsoft brings Azure AI cloud-scale computing know-how onboard, enabling knowledge processing, efficiency optimization, enhanced safety, and seamless communication with good properties, cities, and grids.
Sony plans a 2026 US launch for Afeela, with Gran Turismo 7 integration slated for later within the yr. Whereas the automotive’s value and vary stay unknown, CES 2024’s DualSense-driven spectacle underscores Sony’s groundbreaking innovation within the realm of mobility.
