Wait, is Sony getting into the automotive business now?

You would certainly get that impression from the keynote speech at CES 2020 in Las Vegas today (January 6). After Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida gave a rundown of what to expect at Sony's event, including the new PS5 logo, camera highlights, adaptive audio systems, and even a 5G broadcast setup for live sports coverage, Sony's CEO, Kenichiro Yoshida, took the stage to introduce the "Sony Vision S" After a brief introduction of the electric concept car named "Sony Vision S" on stage, he then showed a concept car of an electric car named "Sony Vision S" on the stage. And rather than a new product lineup for the electronics conglomerate, the Vision S appears to be a showcase of how Sony can produce components for cars that actual automakers will be assembling in the coming years.

There is certainly a lot to catch the eye of automakers. According to Yoshida, the Vision S has 33 sensors inside and outside the car. They not only assist in tasks such as autonomous driving and identifying hazards on the road, but also detect if the driver is falling asleep.

The prototype car also features what Sony calls 360-degree reality audio. The car's dashboard features a panoramic widescreen that includes several infotainment options (essentially entertainment and driving information that extends from one end of the dashboard to the other).

Will any of these concepts ever see the light of day? Perhaps, although they may not be mounted on a Sony-assembled car like the Vision S. I look forward to spending more time with the prototypes and hearing more about Sony's actual plans for its automotive efforts.

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