Sony’s first electric car can be controlled using a PlayStation 5 controller

A year after unveiling the first prototype, Sony returned to the CES stage in Las Vegas to reveal more details about the model. AFILA, an electric vehicle co-developed with Honda that will be differentiated from other plug-in cars by software. The Japanese company has confirmed that this model, available in 2026, will have artificial intelligence features from Microsoft and, in addition, It can be controlled using the PlayStation 5 DualSense controller.

This is probably one of the most striking characteristics of AFEELA; model, which will also be available virtually through the game Gran Turismo 7 in an update that will be released during 2024. As Sony demonstrated at a conference during CES, The vehicle can be moved using the PlayStation 5 DualSense controls. In the following video, we can see how the car appears on stage thanks to the instructions given by the Sony executive using the remote control, and how the steering wheel is slightly turned from inside the car.

However, this is a simple demonstration of what Sony is capable of in terms of integrating its products. Actually, all indications are that this will not be the final featuresince regulators are unlikely to approve it.

Therefore, those who purchase AFEELA will not be able to control their model using a PS5 controller. In any case, this doesn’t inspire much confidence considering that the OceanGate Titan submersible that exploded in the Atlantic Ocean was controlled by a $40 Logitech controller.

Sony is also working with Microsoft to add more software capabilities to its first electric car.

At the same time, Sony confirmed that AFEELA will have Features powered by Microsoft artificial intelligence; Azure AI, which in turn uses OpenAI models such as GPT-4 and ChatGPT. The Japanese company’s car will have what Sony calls a “personalized conversational agent.” This is a kind of virtual assistant that, among other things, will help you drive your car.

Sony and Honda They also partner with Epic Games. to bring multimedia capabilities to your first electric car. The firm highlighted that AFEELA will have Unreal Engine 5.3, which will allow it to run games like Fortnite. In fact, Sony has already shown what the screen system the car will include on the dashboard will look like.

AFEELA, we repeat, It will be available for purchase from 2026., although currently only in the US. The car is being developed by the Sony Honda Mobility (SHM) joint venture. Sony is responsible for the software and experience, and Honda is responsible for the mechanical part. The model will also have an autonomous driving system using up to 45 sensors.