Electronics manufacturer Sony surprised attendees at CES 2020 on Tuesday by unveiling an electric car prototype.
Sony reportedly partnered with companies including Bosch, Continental, Genetex, Nvidia, Magna, and Nvidia to produce the vehicle.
According to a release:
A total of 33 sensors including CMOS image sensors and ToF sensors are embedded within the vehicle, in order to detect and recognize people and objects inside and outside the car, and provide highly advanced driving support. Sony’s “360 Reality Audio” provides a deep and immersive audio experience through speakers built into each seat to encapsulate passengers in sound. The front seats face a panoramic screen on which rich and diverse content can be enjoyed through an intuitive user interface. Sony will continue to combine its advanced technologies to deliver greater safety and reliability, while also striving to inspire new emotion through revolutionary in-car entertainment experiences.
Sony likely doesn’t intend to get into the auto manufacturing business, but will use the concept vehicle to showcase its other technologies such as cameras and sensors.
Sony says it wants to contribute to a “highly advanced autonomous driving society.” The company said it’s developing a “Safety Cocoon” to support vehicle safety in various daily driving situations by detecting 360 degrees around the vehicle, enabling early preparation to help evade risk.
“Through Sony’s imaging and sensing technologies, which are beyond the human eye, we aim to contribute to the achievement of safe, reliable, and comfortable mobility experiences,” the company said in a release.