Toronto, Ontario — An electric vehicle (EV) combining Sony’s virtual reality (VR) prowess and Honda’s vehicle production capabilities, Canada challenges the United States in the EV market and Norway makes a mark in the global shift to EVs. This is the latest in electric and autonomous vehicles.
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An EV prototype, the Afeela has been unveiled at the international Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, with Sony Honda Mobility CEO Yasuhide Mizuno promising a unique EV with entertainment, AI, virtual reality and augmented reality features, bringing drivers and cars even closer than ever.
ADAS calibrators will be pleased, excited, or horrified to learn that the prototype features 40 sensor suites embedded across the vehicle exterior, enhancing the vehicle’s ability to detect objects and drive autonomously.
According to the Verge, Sony says it expects to offer its software using the subscription service model, requiring vehicle owners to pay monthly fees to access certain features.
Co-operative Competition
Canada is set to “remain focused on being competitive” with U.S. markets, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau marking the country’s response to unforeseen challenges arising from President Joe Biden’s shift away from market protectionism.
This had the unforeseen effect of potentially drawing foreign investors away from Canada, and towards the United States instead.
“Competitiveness with the U.S. has always been a challenge for us—it was a challenge under Trump, it was a challenge under every previous administration,” said Trudeau in an interview with the Canadian Press.
According to Michael Harvey, vice-president of policy and international with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, this competition will be delivered by providing trade-enhancing infrastructure and improving Canada’s mining and battery processing capabilities.
Almost Electric
Four in five new cars registered in Norway are electric vehicles, according to a statement by the Norwegian Road Federation (OFV).
According to CBS News, this contrasts registrations in the rest of the European Union, with electric cars making up 8.6 percent of new registrations in the first nine months of 2022.
This comes from a combination of lower road tolls and parking fees for EVs, as well as EV sales tax exemptions that will change in 2023.
Currently, one in five cars on Norwegian roads are electric vehicles.
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What impact do you expect the subscription service model for accessing certain features of the Afeela electric vehicle to have on its success and adoption rate? It is possible that the subscription model could provide a consistent stream of revenue for Sony, but it may also deter some potential buyers who are not willing to pay additional monthly fees for access to certain features.