Equipped with Qualcomm chips, Sony Honda's Afeela electric vehicle has Level 3 level self-driving capability.

CTOnews.com, July 25, Sony announced a partnership with Honda to launch a new car brand called Afeela at the CES show in January.

According to Automotive News, the Afeela electric vehicle will be equipped with Qualcomm chips and will be able to drive itself at the Level 3 level.

CTOnews.com Note: according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) level 5 Standard for Automotive Automation published in 2013, Level 3 is described as follows:

Limited autopilot, in the preset sections of the road (such as highways and urban roads with less pedestrian flow), the car is on autopilot and takes responsibility for driving safety, the driver still needs to take over the car at some time, but there is enough warning time, such as entering the road to build the road (Road work ahead). Level 3 will liberate drivers, that is, they are no longer responsible for driving safety and do not have to monitor road conditions.

Eddard Kim, chief analyst at AutoPacific, stressed Qualcomm's key role in the Afeela project, saying:

Honda provided the platform, Sony had the idea, but in fact Qualcomm provided the power for all these things.

Afeela EV is not only a microcosm of technological progress, but also an aesthetic miracle. The internal screen will use graphics developed by the Unreal engine, which is the same as the display in GMC Hummer EV.

The car has not yet released the full technical specifications, the appearance design uses a streamlined body curve, while abandoning the door handle and the traditional rearview mirror, using an electronic external rearview mirror, making the overall design more concise, with a wheelbase of 3000 mm.

The car will be equipped with 45 cameras and sensors, an overlong integrated central control screen, entertainment features such as Sony's film and television, music and games, mobile platforms such as Qualcomm Snapdragon digital chassis, and Epic's Unreal engine 5.

Related readings:

Sony Honda Cooperative Electric vehicle Brand named Afeela: the first prototype car unveiled, going on sale in 2025.