Sony, the company known for televisions and the Playstation series of gaming consoles, seems poised to expand into a new market with its latest product tease: a car.
The company revealed its prototype car, called the “Vision-S,” at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2020 expo in Las Vegas. According to AdAge, the Vision-S is an electric vehicle and a spokesman for the company said the car will include 33 sensors that provide the adaptive ability to detect people in and around the car.
According to Ars Technica, the car’s advanced sensory technology also pairs with CMOS camera sensors, Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) and radar that create an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) Sony described as a “Safety Cocoon.”
Sony’s car concept also includes a fully integrated entertainment system with screens for displaying driving information and entertainment throughout the car.
The car is also reportedly powered by two 200kW (268hp) electric motors, capable of a top speed of 149 mph and able to accelerate from zero to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds.
It is not yet clear when the car will enter full production. Reporters for Ars Technica believe the car is meant less as an indication of the company’s plans for automobile travel and more as a showcase of the various technologies Sony is focused on.
There’s a first time for everything.
Meet the Vision-S. It’s an electric prototype car built by electronics giant, @Sony. Yep, Sony built a car!
Sony claims the Vision-S has a 200kW motor on each axle and sprints to 💯 in 4.8S. Range is yet to be announced.
Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/Hl04fOTICc
— CarsInPixels (@cars_pixels) January 7, 2020
Sony unveiled the car alongside its next-generation gaming platform as well as its developments in 5G communications technology.
The Sony spokesman said Sony “will continue to work on the ‘Vision-S’ initiative, focusing on focusing on safety, entertainment and adaptability.”
“We are committed to making a meaningful contribution to society and we are excited about the road ahead of us. And we, Sony, will continue to evolve as a creative entertainment company with a solid foundation on technology.”
If Sony does intend to move forward into the electric car market, they may one day challenge other industry competitors like Tesla, whose CEO Elon Musk recently revealed its latest ‘Cybertruck’ model.
