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Sony Honda Mobility (SHM) unveiled significant updates to its electric vehicle ecosystem at CES 2026, announcing the full integration of PlayStation Remote Play into its Afeela brand vehicles. The joint venture confirmed that its first production model, the Afeela sedan, is on track for customer deliveries in California late this year, while surprisingly revealing a new, larger vehicle concept—the Afeela Prototype 2026—targeted for a 2028 release.
Key Takeaways
- PlayStation Integration: Afeela vehicles will feature Remote Play, allowing users to stream PS5 games using a DualSense controller via the panoramic dashboard screen.
- Production Timeline: Deliveries for the Afeela 1 sedan begin in California in late 2026, expanding to Arizona and Japan in 2027.
- New Model Reveal: SHM introduced the "Afeela Prototype 2026," a spacious new concept vehicle with a US delivery target of 2028.
- Customization: A new "Co-Creation Program" allows for deep interface customization, including themes based on Gran Turismo and Astrobot.
Redefining In-Cabin Entertainment
Continuing its mission to transform mobility into an interactive entertainment space, Sony Honda Mobility demonstrated how the Afeela cabin leverages Sony’s vast media ecosystem. The centerpiece of the presentation was the introduction of PlayStation Remote Play functionality directly within the vehicle's panoramic display system.
Unlike a dedicated in-car console, this feature utilizes streaming technology to access a user's existing home console. Drivers and passengers can pair a DualSense controller to the vehicle to play titles they already own, provided there is a stable network connection.
"For us, this is a meaningful example of how the PlayStation experience can extend beyond the living room in ways that feel natural and useful for gaming fans. It's for those moments when you have some downtime in your car, like when you're waiting to pick someone up or if you want to keep passengers entertained on a very long road trip."
The system will support current-generation hits such as God of War Ragnarok and the recently acclaimed Astrobot. To further immerse passengers, SHM announced exclusive vehicle themes, allowing users to customize wallpapers and electronic motor sounds (e-motor) with audio-visual elements from franchises like Gran Turismo.
Production Roadmap and Market Expansion
SHM provided a concrete timeline for the rollout of the Afeela 1 sedan, signaling a transition from concept to commercial reality. The company confirmed that early reservation holders in the United States would gain access to "Afeela 1 demo drives" later this year.
The rollout strategy is geographically targeted:
- Late 2026: Customer deliveries begin in California.
- First Half 2027: Deliveries begin in the Japanese market.
- 2027: Operations expand to Arizona.
Executives emphasized that the initial "advanced access opportunities" would roll out in phases, shifting focus from the software-defined entertainment features to actual driving performance as the launch date approaches.
New Hardware: The Afeela Prototype 2026
In a move to diversify its portfolio, SHM concluded the event by unveiling a second vehicle model, dubbed the Afeela Prototype 2026. While technical specifications were kept brief, the design focuses on maximizing interior volume, suggesting a crossover or SUV form factor intended to complement the original sedan.
"We have shaped a model that brings joy and expands the space to meet your needs while staying true to the essence of Afeela... We aim to deliver a new model based on this prototype to American customers as early as 2028."
This announcement indicates that Sony and Honda are committed to a multi-vehicle lineup, leveraging their "diverse technologies" to compete across different segments of the luxury EV market. By fusing the Afeela Co-Creation Program for developers with expanded hardware options, SHM is positioning itself not just as an automaker, but as a digital platform provider for the mobility sector.
