Sony’s Latest Innovation: Drive Your Car with a PS5 Controller!
Sony raised the bar on innovation at CES 2024 by using the DualSense wireless controller from the PlayStation 5 to drive a real car, drawing attention and shattering convention.
While the controller is renowned for its immersive gaming experiences, Sony showcased its versatility by utilizing it in the realm of automotive technology.
The star of the show was Sony’s Afeela, a concept car developed in collaboration with Honda, unveiled for the first time at CES 2023.
The Afeela, dubbed a Software-Designed Vehicle, was driven onto the stage remotely by Sony Honda Mobility President Izumi Kawanishi using the DualSense controller. The darkened stage was illuminated by the Afeela’s headlights, and cameras inside the cabin dispelled any notions of a hidden driver at the wheel.
Kawanishi emphasized that the DualSense compatibility was a technical demonstration, highlighting Sony and Honda’s shared belief in the transformative power of software.
Sony’s Role in Gaming-Tech Convergence
The Afeela showcased advanced features such as an AI vision system for automatic driving assistance and an Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS) Simulator powered by Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 5. This simulator displayed the car’s surroundings on internal screens, enriched with multimedia applications.
In a departure from the typical use of PlayStation technology to create virtual worlds, Sony’s innovation allowed the DualSense controller to influence the real world. The moment became a highlight of CES, showcasing Sony’s commitment to pushing technological boundaries.
Despite the excitement generated by this demonstration, some enthusiasts may be disappointed to learn that the ability to control a car with a PS5 controller is currently limited to a one-time tech demo.
Nevertheless, Sony’s integration of the DualSense controller into various devices, from the PlayStation Portal to the PSVR 2 and PS5 Access Controller, suggests a potential for further non-gaming applications in the future.
As CES continues to be a platform for groundbreaking innovations, Sony’s utilization of the DualSense controller in the automotive space adds another layer to the convergence of gaming and real-world technology, leaving us eager to see what the future holds for this multifaceted device.
