Sony is serious about its electric car

Could the PlayStation-connected Vision S be the world’s most entertaining BEV?

Sony’s Vision S is a lot of things. The Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) is a PlayStation, personal assistant, home theatre system and cinema rolled into a set of wheels promising to change the way people think about cars.

And Sony is serious about putting it into production. Originally unveiled at the CES show in Las Vegas last year, the Japanese giant has announced that testing of its new machine has started on public roads.

While the Vision S was originally touted as a proof-ofconcept for Sony technology, the machine looks increasingly likely to be sold to the public.

A statement issued by the brand said it will keep working to refine the car: “Sony will continue to further develop the

vehicle.

“By bringing together its cutting-edge technologies, Sony intends to contribute to the evolution of mobility by contributing safety, security, and in-car entertainment that generates new excitement.” Door-to-door panoramic screens have 5G connectivity, allowing gamers to wirelessly access their home PlayStation console for gaming on the go. High-res monitors and a new speaker system promise to lift incar entertainment beyond existing models.

Sony says a camera pointed at the driver uses special lipreading software to make sure voice-activated features work perfectly.

The Vision S is about the same size as Tesla’s Model S sedan.

Sony says the four-seater has

200kW electric motors in the front and rear that help it reach

100km/h in 4.8 seconds.