Sony Announces Vision-S 02 at CES 2022

Sony announced and displayed an SUV-type prototype car (VISION-S 02) as a new form factor at CES 2022. This car is built on the same EV/cloud platform as the prototype (VISION-S 01), which is now being tested on public roads. This new prototype, together with VISION-S 01, will support the accommodation of a wide range of lifestyles within a society whose values are becoming increasingly diverse by giving entertainment experiences that make use of the huge interior space and variants of a 7-seater. 

The Japanese technological firm unveiled the Vision-S electric saloon in 2020 as a demonstration of its autonomous driving and in-car entertainment systems, but although beginning tests with a road-legal prototype a year later, it made no indication that a production variation will follow. 

Sony hasn’t revealed any performance data other than saying that the SUV will be capable of exceeding 180kph, nor has it revealed any information on its battery capacity. The seven-seat SUV is 4,895mm long, 1,930mm wide, and 1,651mm tall, making it roughly the same dimensions as the Tesla Model Y crossover. 

“Safety has been our No. 1 priority in creating a comfortable mobility experience,” Yoshida said. “That has not changed when building this SUV. A total of 40 sensors are installed inside and outside of the vehicle to monitor safety.” The VISION-S 02 will use a wide range of safety features featuring Sony’s in-house technologies, including “high-sensitivity, high-resolution, wide dynamic range CMOS image sensors and LiDAR sensors that accurately sense three-dimensional space.” 

The vehicle will also have 5G connectivity, a 3-D sound system, and the ability for passengers to play PlayStation videogames via a digital video service. Sony has announced that it is now undertaking road tests in Europe in preparation for the launching of Level 2 advanced driver-assistance systems. 

Sony describes the business objectives of the ‘Sony Mobility Inc’ as: The new company will aim to make the best use of AI and robotics technologies, help realize a world where everyone can live in harmony with robots on a daily basis, fill people with emotion, and contribute to society. With Vision-S, which contributes to the evolution of mobility, together with the autonomous entertainment robot aibo, and the drone Airpeak, Sony will seek to continue to create new value in a variety of fields.