Will Sony Succeed In Its EV Ambitions Or Suffer The Same Fate As Dyson!
Though the fast evolving global electric vehicle sector is full of surprises, the announcement this week by the Japanese electronics to gaming conglomerate, Sony Corporation regarding an electric vehicle concept certainly came as a huge shock.
It is true, that in the past decade, automotive start-ups like Tesla Inc. have redefined the traditional automotive landscape beyond recognition and others like the Chines EV start-up NIO are doing the same. In fact, for years we have heard rumours of Apple Inc. launching an electric car. Hence, one could argue, that there is no need to be surprised if a well established multinational like Sony wants to join the EV race or contribute to it substantially.
What is most interesting about Sony developing an electric car prototype, is not the car itself, but its underlying insightful assessment that the automotive sector will be disrupted far more in the coming years, as consumers engagement with the ‘concept of mobility’ changes fundamentally.
In particular, this will include the rapidly evolving age of autonomous driving i.e. a self-driving car. We, in the future will not drive but simply be driven. The cabin will be a space for entertainment, work etc. and not a space for driving. We at e-zoomed agree!
- The Sony EV concept sedan was announced at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) show and the EV is called the Sony Vision-S.
- So far Sony has not made any comment regarding selling the electric car to the public (from prototype to production), but used the CES platform to showcase the multitude of sensors and in-car entertainment technologies paramount to the future of autonomous driving. The Vision S electric car has 33 sensors. Sony has leveraged its core expertise to develop the car, to include, imaging and sensing technologies.
- Sony has collaborated with a number of companies to include Continental, Qualcomm, Benteler, Blackberry, Gentex, Nvidia, Magna and Bosch to create this EV prototype.
- The four-seater has two 200 kW motors (front and rear) and is capable of 0 to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds. Top speed: 149 mph.
- The cabin envisions a future of autonomous driving where “people will eventually be relieved from car operations.” The company intends to create a driving experience, whereby it’s a new kind of mobility. The interior will have 360 reality audio to create an immersive audio experience. The cabin entertainment is extended further with enjoying videos and movies.
- The EV will be incorporated with Sony’s ‘safety cocoon’ for the fast approaching self-driving era. The electric car will be packed with safety technology like driver monitoring, parking assistance, advanced camera monitoring system and oval sensing.
- The concept is developed on a new EV platform that will also be suitable for different types of EVs to include coupes, sedans, SUVs and MPVs.
Only time will tell, if the unveiling of the prototype Vision S is a stunt to showcase its electronic capability and products for the broader electric vehicle market, or a deliberate intention to announce its entry in the global electric vehicle race. Of course, Sony is not the first consumer electronics business to announce its intention for the EV market. The Dyson failed attempt at realising its electrification dreams is a firm reminder that the migration from consumer electronics to electric cars is not an easy road! Either way, great to start 2020 with such a pleasant surprise.
We at e-zoomed are more than happy to assist you with all your EV needs to include:
- Compare and buy an electric car in the UK
- Compare affordable electric car finance and lease deals in the UK
- Compare and buy best electric car insurance deals in the UK
- Compare and buy best electric car breakdown cover in the UK
- Compare and buy green electricity for your home and electric vehicle
- Compare and buy best priced electric car charging cables and EV accessories
