All New EV: Afeela 1
For a couple of years now, Sony has been teasing us with concept cars and prototypes showing off its vision of a fully-connected, fully-electric car. Last year, Sony announced it would partner with Honda to bring its first car to market, and at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, we saw the car we can actually buy: the Afeela 1.
Afeela 1: Immersive Infotainment Technology
As you would imagine from Sony, the Afeela 1 is packed with technology. Its spacious cabin, with large glass roof, features a unique sound system and displays which are optimized for each seat, allowing everyone in the car to enjoy the entertainment content of their choice. Each screen also allows access to a variety of apps.
Sony has partnered with numerous entertainment companies to deploy content through an unique sound system and displays that are optimized for each seat. Noise-canceling technology makes the cabin exceptionally quiet, enabling Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound speakers to offer an immersive sound experience.
Powered by AI, an interactive personal agent enables communication with the vehicle through voice commands as well as through the touchscreens all around the cabin. The driver can control in-car functions using natural voice interactions, and also have a conversation with the AI agent to receive activity suggestions.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
The Afeela 1 features Afeela Intelligent Drive, a suite of advanced driver assistance systems co-developed by Sony and Honda to reduce driving stress and improve safety and security. Forty sensors inside and outside the car include cameras, radar, lidar, and ultrasonic sensors, enabling the Afeela 1 to collect an incredible amount of data regarding its surroundings.
The road environment and driving conditions which are constantly monitored by the Afeela 1 are visualized as 3-D views and maps using Unreal Engine, providing the driver as well as the vehicle itself with a wide range of information. A powerful control unit can provide assistance that can perceive, predict, and plan more quickly than a driver might.
Sony and Honda promise “Level 2+” autonomous technology, which means that the Afeela 1 should be able to pilot itself, with the driver’s supervision, through much of a journey, from departure right up to parking at the destination. Further advances in driver assistance, and Level 3 autonomy, will be available through future over-the-air software updates.
What Will the Afeela 1 Be Like to Drive?
Afeela 1 uses what Sony and Honda call a “3D Motion Management System” which integrates control of the electric motors, brakes, and suspension to provide “innovative posture control technology.”
Both companies have a long history of robotics development and have used their experience to develop a system that they say optimizes ride comfort and handling on many different road surfaces.
The overall goal is to provide the driver with nimble and stable handling, rather than an overtly sporty feel. The automaker tells us that the noise and vibration reduction technologies employed in the Afeela 1 have been created to allow occupants to focus on what is happening inside the car.
While final details of the battery size, electric motor power, and performance are still not finalized, Afeela says it is targeting a range of up to 300 miles, and the Afeela 1 will use the Tesla-style North American Charging Standard (NACS) charging port, meaning it can access the Tesla Supercharger network without an adapter.
What Does the Afeela 1 Look Like?
A refreshing smooth and simplistic design characterizes the Afeela 1’s look. The exterior is simple and unadorned, with clean surfaces throughout. Exterior colors are limited to a choice of Tidal Gray, Calm White, and Core Black. Big wheels, a full-width light bar at the front, and a sweeping roofline give the Afeela 1 a modern, high-tech appeal.
Inside, the design prioritizes comfort and calm. The shapes and contours are simple, and while there is a lot of tech inside the Afeela, the screens are simply presented and seem easy to use. Approximately 70 percent of the interior surface area uses plant-based and recycled materials.
Afeela 1 Pricing and Availabiility
The Afeela 1 will be made in the U.S.A., at Honda’s state-of-the-art EV production facility, which is currently being prepared in Ohio. Afeela vehicles will be sold from Afeela boutiques: two will be opening in California this year in Torrance and Fremont, with more to follow.
Starting MSRP for the Afeela 1 is $89,900 for the Origin trim, which includes a three-year subscription to the Afeela Intelligent Drive assist semi-autonomous technologies; an “immersive infotainment” subscription; 5G connectivity; and more. The personal agent and multiple theme sets for digital customization are included.
The upscale Afeela 1 Signature trim adds extra luxury features and will be the first to be delivered to customers, with a starting MSRP of $102,900. Additional features in the Signature trim include 21-inch wheels, a rear-seat entertainment system, center camera monitoring system, and additional digital and customization options. Consumers may reserve a car online now for a refundable fee of $200.
