LONDON: Back in January 2020, Sony surprised many by announcing its automotive ambitions with a concept car bearing the name Vision-S, unveiled at the CES tech show in Las Vegas.
At the time, the Japanese electronics company explicitly left open whether the vehicle would ever enter mass production. Now, Sony has given us the first sign that it's taking its mobility plans seriously.
The tech manufacturer has announced that it's further developing the new electric car prototype powered by the new 5G network delivering super-fast wireless Internet, allowing the car to load software updates and get real-time driving information over the wire.
Together with mobile phone provider Vodafone, Sony is testing the car on a track in western Germany, both companies announced on Wednesday. Among other things, the aim is to maintain a stable connection to the mobile network even when driving at high speeds.
Sony was the first major electronics company to publicly announce its own car project, but there has been speculation for years about Apple's plans to launch an electric car. The only concrete information so far is that the iPhone maker is testing technology for autonomous driving.
The Vision-S is foremost intended to demonstrate the possibilities of Sony's technical developments, particularly in software, sensors and security technology, as well as a complete entertainment system.
Sony's tech-centred plans come as younger drivers are looking more and more at what high-tech features are offered in the interior, and less what happens under the hood.
In the cockpit of the Vision-S, there's a long display that almost reaches from door to door, not unlike the one Chinese newcomer Byton has in its electric SUV.
Sony, itself a leading maker of camera sensors, would be well positioned to enter the car market as sensors for automated driving play an increasingly important role.
Experts had long expected that with the advance of electric vehicles, electronics companies would increasingly enter the car business.
