Sony is expanding its exploration into electric vehicles (EVs) with a new prototype SUV alongside a new corporate entity revealed at the 2022 CES in Las Vegas. The SUV is built upon the strides the gaming and electronics company found with their Vision-S electric car prototype two years ago. Now, a new company — Sony Mobility, Inc. — has been announced to extend its advancements in the tech space to the transportation industry. The company will be officially formed in the Spring of 2022 and signifies Sony's entrance into the commercial EV market.

After traditional car manufacturers started seriously working on electric vehicles, like Ford's electric Mustangs, traditional electronics companies have dabbled with applying their technologies to electric vehicles. Sony showcased its first working prototype at the 2020 CES with the Vision-S sedan. With the Vision-S, Sony focused on its strengths as a company. The electric car featured a new entertainment experience for travel, with innovative speakers and displays that provide a quality entertainment experience for each passenger. Since the reveal, Sony has spent over a year road testing the Vision-S electric car on the streets of Europe and began 5G road tests last April.

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As competing mobile electronics brands like Xiaomi and OPPO plan electric vehicles, Sony's commercial launch plan of the Vision-S prototypes is an indicator of its vision for the future of electric cars. "We are exploring a commercial launch of Sony's EV," the company's CEO Kenichiro Yoshida said in the CES keynote. Sony Mobility Inc., encompasses more than just electric cars, though. In a release, the company stated its mission as to "help realize a world where everyone can live in harmony with robots on a daily basis." In the mobility space, that includes the development of artificial intelligence, robotics, electric vehicles, and drones.

Sony's Vision-S SUV Unveiled

Tesla Model 3

At the event, Sony upscaled its tech inside the first Vision-S prototype to a new form factor: an SUV. The new electric vehicle, called Vision-S 02, will include seven seats to cater to family lifestyles. Since the SUV will have a larger footprint, Sony plans to make the most of that space with a captivating entertainment experience inside. The company says each individual seat will have its own speaker, which creates a three-dimensional, 360-degree sound field around the passenger. It will incorporate Sony's Bravia Core tech to provide a digital video system that gives users the options to watch videos together or pick their own content while traveling.

The vehicle includes unique customizability features best suited for the family audience of an SUV. The new Vision-S prototype includes a profile system so that each driver can create the driving displays the precise way they prefer. Drivers can even customize the acceleration and deceleration sounds of the electric car to mimic the traditional combustion engines that they may be familiar with. These features are synced with the cloud and mobile devices using 5G technologies.

Sony Mobility Inc is Sony's commitment to an electric world, from the areas of traditional cars, entertainment robots, and drones. The company's plans are to "continue to apply its cutting-edge technologies to provide new experiences in the realm of mobility, which is undergoing a shift to electric vehicles (EV)." They'll use their advancements in consumer electronics and artificial intelligence — like the newly announced PS VR 2 entering production — to create a car that prioritizes safety and user experience. If Sony's success in the consumer electronics space is any indication, the new company could be a formidable opponent to traditional car manufacturers in the years to come.

Next: Mercedes-Benz's New Concept EV Comes With A Tesla-Beating 620-Mile Range

Source: Sony