At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, tech enthusiasts were treated to a glimpse of the future with the unveiling of the Afeela EV, a groundbreaking electric vehicle (EV) collaboration between Sony and Honda. Unlike any other car on the market, the Afeela aims to be a multi-functionality vehicle, boasting a whole variety of cutting-edge features and technology. To achieve this ambitious goal, the duo has enlisted the expertise of a key player in the tech industry Qualcomm.
The displays inside the vehicle will be powered by Unreal Engine’s Graphics
The driving force behind Afeela’s tech is Qualcomm’s Digital Chassis platform. Known primarily for its processor chips in smartphones, Qualcomm has been diligently working on a cutting-edge automotive solution that collects data from all the sensors, powers interior screens, and facilitates over-the-air updates and real-time alerts through its 5G and Wi-Fi connectivity. Moreover, the AI capabilities allow the system to learn and adapt to the driver’s preferences by analyzing real-time data.
Ed Kim, chief analyst at AutoPacific, highlighted Qualcomm’s critical role in the Afeela project, stating, “Honda’s providing the platform, and Sony’s got the ideas, but it’s really Qualcomm that’s powering all this stuff.” The Afeela EV will be not only an epitome of technological advancement but also an aesthetic marvel. The interior screens will feature graphics developed on the Unreal Engine, the same engine that powers the displays in the GMC Hummer EV.
Set to enter production in 2025 at one of Honda’s Ohio factories, the Afeela EV will be built on Honda’s upcoming e:Architecture platform. Sony will bring its digital technologies and media content from its movie, music, and video game units to enhance the driving experience further.
As for the price, the Afeela EV is expected to be a niche, low-volume product, suggesting a price tag exceeding $100,000, considering the cutting-edge technology it houses. Deliveries are anticipated to begin in 2026, offering consumers a futuristic driving experience like never before.