There’s nothing surprising about cars being at CES. Seeing the future of electric vehicles, self-driving vehicles, and whatever Tesla’ next fever dream is are some of the easiest predictions you can make for the show. However, sometimes you can’t predict how weird these new cars might be, or the surprising manufacturers behind them.
At CES 2020 all eyes were on Sony to say something about the PlayStation 5, the next-gen video game console launching this year. And technically they did. They revealed a very familiar logo and that’s it.
Here’s to 2020!! pic.twitter.com/v8SQyAkTn8
— Hermen Hulst (@hermenhulst) January 7, 2020
Instead, the most surprising piece of Sony hardware was a new concept car. The electronic manufacturers isn’t known for vehicles. But hey if Apple can keep teasing a car why not Sony? The Vision-S (why not PlayStation Car?) is a concept electric vehicle from Sony. So it doesn’t really exist. However, that hasn’t stopped Sony from releasing a list of potential specs as well as this demo video. The Vision-S accelerates from zero to 100 km per hour in just under five seconds. Not quite as good as the best Tesla but within striking distance.
Raw tech is Sony’s strong suit, though, and the Vision-S reflects that. 33 sensors and cameras, including CMOS and ToF and Solid State LiDAR, detect objects and people inside and outside the car as well as map surrounding areas and measure speed for safe, crash-free travelling. Inside the car is a panoramic screen with “360 reality audio” to make the car a home theater on wheels.
But if you think a Sony car sounds weird, the Vision-S seems positively pedestrian compared to the other bizarre CES 2020 vehicle announcement. Mercedes-Benz and James Cameron revealed an Avatar-inspired concept car. It’s called the Vision Avtr, not the Ava-Car.
Much like the hugely profitable sci-fi movie it’s inspired by, the Vision Avtr uses expensive bleeding-edge technology to convey a message of reconnecting with nature. The car features round organic shapes, pulsating neon lights, and “bionic flap” scales on the back. The aesthetic is on the razor’s edge of hypnotic and gross, again like Avatar. You don’t even use a steering wheel. The controls are projected onto your body. Very spiritual. Very Avatar.
Fortunately, the car’s eco-friendly nature goes beyond mere aesthetics. The Vision Avtr’s graphene-based organic cell battery can be composted and uses no rare-Earth minerals. The seats are vegan leather. The rattan wood floor is Indonesian timber. They aren’t going to make a lot of these cars. But at least the ones they do make are sustainable.
The real question is, will you be able to buy a Vision Avtr before Cameron finally finishes the dozen upcoming Avatar sequels?
More on Geek.com:
- CES 2020: Samsung SelfieType Is an Invisible Mobile Keyboard
- Samsung Showcases Infinity TVs, Rotating TVs, Extremely Curved Gaming Monitors at CES 2020
- Lexilife Demonstrates Dyslexia Reading Lamp at CES 2020
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