Sony Honda Mobility not only showed the latest version of its Afeela EV at Sony’s CES 2024 press conference, but the car itself was driven on the stage by a PlayStation DualSense controller. Don’t get too excited yet, however, as it was billed as only a tech demo.
The latest Afeela prototype was driven by Sony Honda Mobility president and COO Izumi Kawanishi, who was on stage with the DualSense. You can check out the clip below via @Knoebelbroet or click here to watch the moment in action on YouTube, but it’s important to remember that Kawanishi said this was just “for the purpose of the tech showcase only.”
They controlled Sony’s and Honda’s Afeela Car with a Dualsense Controller.
It’s just a tech demo. pic.twitter.com/U5FF02Hmcx
— Knoebel (@Knoebelbroet) January 9, 2024
“This remote driving demo is for the purpose of the tech showcase only,” Kawanishi said. “However, we believe that software can define new function and value. We want to redefine the relationship between people and mobility.”
This was obviously meant to be a “wow” moment for the press conference, and it did shock those online as well when they first saw it.
This man literally used a DualSense controller to bring a car up on stage. That’s literally ridiculous.
Here’s the newest Afeela concept: pic.twitter.com/ZtzDtSuYwS
— Eshu Marneedi (@EshuMarneedi) January 9, 2024
I’m SO glad he said using that DualSense controller to control the Afeela vehicle was for tech purposes only. I was like please don’t give people that! (LAUGHS)
Everyone in the crowd was astounded and chat went galactic speed. #CES2024
— Antonio C. R. Murray = OkashiraStyle (@Haipa_Sonikku) January 9, 2024
Did Sony just tech demo the ability to control a car using the DualSense controller? pic.twitter.com/wGlPxJx8gU
— Rockman Xelnia (@SonyOfLastation) January 9, 2024
That’s not the only gaming/entertainment-related news for the Afeela, as Kawanishi also showed off some of the possible customization options that include Fortnite and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse themes on the displays in the car.
Additionally, there were more details revealed about Sony Honda Mobility’s collaboration with Epic Games. This was seen in a simulator that that will make use of “virtual spaces to create new user experiences in mobility.”
“This tool simulates external environmental conditions such as information for other vehicles, pedestrians, terrain, and weather,” Sony Honda Mobility wrote. “By combining this technology with AR, users will enjoy an immersive experience that also enhances safety.
“SHM provides a visually stunning 3D map from which extensive metadata from the internet is overlaid. Map data can also be used to broaden the possibilities within the development of gaming and entertainment features.”
While we may not be able to drive the real Afeela EV with a DualSense, Sony did reveal that the Afeela Prototype 2024 will be headed to Gran Turismo 7 later this year via a patch update. So, technically, you’ll be able to drive an Afeela with a Dualsense after all!
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Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.