Sony has confirmed that it is 'considering' an assault on the growing market for electric and autonomous cars, and has shown off a second prototype car - the SUV-shaped Vision-S 02 - at the huge Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Porsche styling cues
Sony had previously shown an electric four-door saloon prototype, the Vision-S, which seemed initially to have been built merely as a 'see if we can do it' exercise. With the new SUV - which like the Vision-S seems to carry some styling cues from Porsche - Sony is hinting that it's gearing up for a full-on car market entry.
It won't just be about making cars, though. While the Japanese electronics giant's CEO, Kenichiro Yoshida has confirmed that: "We are exploring a commercial launch of Sony's EV" the potentially bigger news is that Sony, whether it decides to make a car of its own or not, will definitely be getting into making high-tech sensors and infotainment systems for the motor industry at large.
Sony mobility
That's thanks to the launch of Sony Mobility, a spinoff company that will try to leverage Sony's electronic and sensor tech. "These sensors include high-sensitivity, high-resolution, wide dynamic range CMOS image sensors and LiDAR sensors that accurately sense three-dimensional space. In addition, the system provides intuitive driver interaction in conjunction with the vehicle's sound system and HMI system, so that the driver can accurately judge the status of the surrounding environment, such as the presence of emergency vehicles, even from inside the vehicle. Sony aims to provide greater safety and comfort to all through its sensor and communication technologies, and is currently conducting functional verification tests in Europe toward the release of Level 2+ advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) on public roads" said Sony in a statement.
Seven-seat SUV
As far as the Vision-S 02 SUV is concerned, Sony is being as light on tech details about that as it was with the four-door saloon, although it has confirmed that the larger car is a seven-seater: "This vehicle uses the same EV/cloud platform as the prototype (Vision-S 01), which is being tested on public roads. By offering entertainment experiences utilising the large interior space and variations of a seven-seater, this new prototype will, together with Vision-S 01, promote the accommodation of a large variety of lifestyles within a society where values are becoming increasingly diversified."
Whether Sony finally pulls the trigger and becomes a fully-fledged car maker or not is still to be seen, but given that the company's share price took a significant jump up at the announcement of the Vision-S 02, don't be surprised.