Honda and Sony partner on EVs with Metaverse options

Honda is prepping to release its first electric SUV in 2024, in partnership with GM, but it's also now teaming up with Sony on entertainment-focused EVs that will hit the market in 2026.
Sony, which gave us the Walkman, PlayStation, and films like Spider Man, Jumanji, and The Karate Kid, will have an equal, 50% stake in the newly formed Sony Honda Mobility Inc. (SHM).


"SHM aims to evolve the mobility space into the entertainment and emotional space, by seamlessly integrating real and virtual worlds, and exploring new entertainment possibilities through digital innovations such as the metaverse," Honda says.

Translation: The cars will eventually be able to drive themselves, allowing passengers to relax with content created by Sony, like games, movies, and even AR-like experiences.
Together, Honda and Sony will design and manufacture new vehicles for delivery in 2026, first to the US (spring) and then Japan. The announcement did not reveal pricing or range of the vehicles, but preorders will begin in the first half of 2025, with formal sales starting later that year.
The company's slogan revolves around what it calls the "three A's:

• Autonomy - The vehicles will aim for Level 3 self-driving (Level 2+ in urban scenarios) through Sony-led sensor development.
• Augmentation - In-vehicle and cloud-based software will eventually bring drivers to the metaverse and offer other entertainment like augmented reality (think Pokémon Go).
• Affinity - SMH hopes customers will fall in love with their fun, experiential vehicles, making them loyal customers for life.

Other EV makers have found success with a similar approach. Tesla drivers are notoriously brand loyal, and can entertain themselves with games and streaming services while charging. (Autopilot is still a work in progress.) BMW also has a strong battery-powered lineup, which will soon include console gaming.
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