Sony and Honda’s New Afeela EV Will Let You Display Messages, Play Video Games, and Watch Movies on Its Bumper
A new video released by Sony and Honda has revealed some unique and potentially concerning features of their in-development Afeela electric vehicle. The most attention-grabbing feature is the “Media Bar” on the front bumper, which allows drivers to display messages and images, including the ability to advertise video games.
The video showcases the ability to display a variety of content on the Media Bar, from the name of the car to birthday greetings. However, it also demonstrates the ability to display logos for popular video games such as Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Fortnite, and Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition, leading to concerns about potentially distracting drivers.
In addition to the Media Bar, the Afeela is packed with other tech features that may raise eyebrows. One such feature, called “Monster View,” overlays virtual kaiju monsters on the dashboard screen and encourages the driver to “catch the monsters that have escaped.” This feature has raised concerns about the potential dangers of distracting drivers on busy city streets.
Furthermore, the Afeela’s dashboard screen is large enough to allow for watching movies, raising even more concerns about driver distraction.
While the video provides a glimpse into the potential capabilities of the Afeela, it’s important to note that the car is still described as a “prototype” in the YouTube description. Sony and Honda have stated their intention to release the Afeela in North America in 2026, but it’s possible that the features showcased in the video could change before the car comes to market.
Despite the innovative and attention-grabbing features of the Afeela, it is clear that there are concerns about the potential risks and distractions posed by the vehicle’s technology. It remains to be seen how these concerns will be addressed as the Afeela continues its development and eventual release.