Sony's CES 2023 press conference was a whirlwind of technological innovation. From immersive PlayStation experiences via its PS VR2 platform to entertainment productions in its Sony Innovation Studios, the firm remains at the top of its game.
At center stage was Sony's new ride made in partnership with Honda, now bearing the name Afeela. The ride is a special new automotive concept that leverages 45 interior and exterior sensors alongside a media bar on its front for immense personalization. Sony boasts that Afeela will feature best-in-class entertainment support alongside advanced driver assistance technologies.
Afeela is likewise being integrated with Qualcomm's Snapdragon platform and digital chassis, allowing it a slew of technical wizardry. It's set to debut officially in North America come Spring 2026. No word on pricing just yet. Sony has partnered with Honda, Qualcomm, and Epic Games to deliver a vehicle unlike any other. Epic is providing enhanced digital automatic information through its Unreal Engine, allowing Sony to institute autonomous control to the Afeela better.
Sony likewise brought attention to PlayStation innovations, the main among them being its forthcoming PS VR2 headset, which is bound for a Feb. 22 release date. The firm noted a total of 30 VR games available at launch, announcing in the same breath a free VR update for Gran Turismo.
That wasn't all Sony had to say about its life-like racing sim. The company also showed off a sneak peek of its forthcoming Gran Turismo film, bound for an Aug. 11 release date. The movie stars Orlando Bloom and David Harbor with the story of a young gamer-turned-race car driver. The film utilizes state-of-the-art Sony Riolta cameras for most of its action-packed driving shots, giving it a clean look even while moving at top speeds.
PlayStation's Jim Ryan also announced a brand new PS5 accessibility controller intended for players who can't use a normal DuelSense controller. It's designed as a rounded controller with buttons circumnavigating its body, all of which can be taken apart per the user's own needs.
Sony's motto for the event was "Moving people forward," and that is clearly shown through its innovative technologies, entertainment platforms, and partnerships.
