The future of driving has arrived, and it's more exciting than ever! Sony and Honda are proving that when innovation meets collaboration, extraordinary things happen. Their joint venture, Sony Honda Mobility, unveiled the pre-production AFEELA 1 at this week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, bringing us closer to a revolutionary new era of electric vehicles.

California drivers will be among the first to experience this groundbreaking vehicle when deliveries begin later this year, with Arizona drivers joining the AFEELA family in 2027. The enthusiasm is already palpable—since reservations opened in January 2025, more than 100,000 people have visited AFEELA Studio showrooms, and over 24,000 have experienced in-vehicle demonstrations. That's an incredible testament to how eager people are for smarter, cleaner transportation!

What makes the AFEELA 1 truly special is its vision of transforming vehicles from simple transportation into what Sony Honda Mobility calls a "Creative Entertainment Space." Imagine a car that doesn't just take you places, but understands your preferences and emotions, becoming an intelligent partner rather than just a machine. This isn't science fiction—it's happening right now in Ohio, where trial production runs have already been completed at Honda's East Liberty Auto Plant.

The AFEELA Personal Agent brings conversational AI to your daily commute, using Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service to create natural, personalized dialogue experiences. Meanwhile, the AFEELA Intelligent Drive advanced driver assistance system is continuously evolving, with the company working toward Level 4 autonomous capabilities that could transform your car into a true "drive-less" entertainment environment.

Sony Honda Mobility isn't keeping all this innovation to themselves, either. Through their AFEELA Co-Creation Program, they're inviting creators and developers to help expand what's possible in mobility. This open approach means the in-vehicle experience will keep getting better and more personalized over time, with new apps, themes, and features developed by a community of innovators.

Looking ahead, the company also debuted the AFEELA Prototype 2026 at CES, offering even greater spatial flexibility and accessibility. This model is planned for U.S. launch as early as 2028, ensuring that even more drivers can experience this next generation of sustainable transportation.

This spring, AFEELA will open combined showroom and delivery hubs in Torrance and Fremont, California, where early reservation holders can participate in the AFEELA Advanced Access program, including demo drives planned for late this year. Japanese drivers won't have to wait much longer either, with deliveries scheduled to begin in the first half of 2027.

The collaboration between Sony's entertainment expertise and Honda's automotive excellence represents exactly the kind of innovative partnership our planet needs. By combining cutting-edge AI technology, sustainable electric power, and thoughtful design, Sony Honda Mobility is showing us that the transition to clean transportation doesn't mean sacrificing comfort, entertainment, or joy—it means enhancing all three.

The road ahead looks brighter, cleaner, and more connected than ever before!