Sony teases first of-its-kind EV collaboration packed with high-tech features: 'Revolutionize the travel experience'
This electric vehicle will feature some of the most advanced self-driving technology on the market.
Sony and Honda have been developing a brand-new EV, and it's expected to hit the market next year. The Sony-Honda Afeela 1 is an electric sedan equipped with a personal AI agent, high-quality spatial audio technology, a customizable interior, and the North American standard charger.
The car even has a screen that can display its charging status, a short message, and "real-time weather, traffic, sports results, and trending information," per Sony-Honda Mobility.
Perhaps the most notable attribute is the sedan's self-driving technology. The Afeela is equipped with "a total of 40 sensors, including 18 cameras, 1 LIDAR array, nine radar sets and 12 ultrasonic sensors," according to InsideEVs.
The Afeela 1 starts at $102,000, making it one of the most expensive EVs out there. A cheaper version will be released a year later, priced at $86,000. The average cost of a new EV is around $50,000, and that is significantly declining each year.
And while these tech features are innovative and promising, the EV doesn't quite measure up in terms of range and charging speed. With an estimated 300-mile range and 150-kilowatt charging speed, "the Afeela 1 [is] far behind many modern EV competitors, especially around that price tag," per InsideEVs.
Reserving the upcoming EV will cost $200, though that fee is refundable. Interestingly, Afeela is only taking reservations from California residents.
Driving an electric vehicle can save you hundreds of dollars a year on gas. The average EV driver saves "around $116 each month by switching to an EV," SaveOnEnergy calculated.
If you're looking for an exact figure, the Department of Energy offers a free tool to help you calculate just how much you'd save on gas by switching to an electric vehicle.
Would you trust a self-driving car on a busy city street?
Definitely
No way
Depends on the brand
Depends on the situation
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.
Plus, EVs are much better for the environment than their gas-powered counterparts. Electric vehicles emit no tailpipe pollution, unlike gas-powered cars, which produce nearly 30% of the United States' planet-warming gas emissions. And though the production processes for EVs do use resources, they're still far more sustainable than that of gas automobiles.
Yasuhide Mizuno, chairperson and CEO of Sony Honda Mobility, believes the car will "revolutionize the travel experience."
"We are very pleased to unveil AFEELA 1, developed for the era of autonomous driving," Mizuno said. "... AFEELA 1 can be called a buddy, combining advanced software with meticulously refined hardware. We will meet our customers' expectations by providing a safe, secure, and comfortable travel experience."
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
U.S. Tariffs Are a Big Win for Mexico, Report Finds
Tariffs are expected to push companies to bring manufacturing back to the U.S., but a new report said that automation will likely replace some of that job creation. While reshoring has created about 2 million U.S. jobs over the past decade and a half, manufacturing still accounts for only about 8% of the U.S. workforce. 'Nearshoring,' where production is moved to closer or more friendly countries, is seen as a more likely result of tariffs, with Mexico, Vietnam, and India expected to be big beneficiaries, a Bank of America report are set to be a big win for one North American country: Mexico. A new report from Bank of America showed that while higher import taxes pushed by President Donald Trump may bring some manufacturing back to the U.S., the policy is more likely to create even more production opportunities for nearby countries like Mexico. According to the BofA Global Research survey of 56 of the firm's analysts, only 20% of respondents expect that tariffs and other policy changes will result in significant 'reshoring,' where manufacturing that is based in another country is relocated to the U.S. Instead, nearly two in five said that relocation back to the U.S. is more likely to be "mild" and focused on specific sectors. 'Therefore, nearshoring, or friendshoring, appears much more likely to benefit from tariffs this time around,' the June 5 report said. 'Mexico is considered to be a net beneficiary from the [move] from cost efficiency to geopolitical risk management.' The report comes as Mexico has been subject to its own set of tariffs by the Trump administration, though some have been delayed. Trump has argued that tariffs will benefit the U.S. economy, namely that they will bring manufacturing back to the U.S. and reduce the U.S. trade deficit. However, the report showed that most reshoring is likely to occur in select industries like electronics, biotechnology, and metals and mining. Reshoring already has been happening, the report found, creating nearly 2 million U.S. manufacturing jobs over the past 15 years, with about half of that coming in the past five years. However, manufacturing jobs still only account for 8% of the U.S. workforce, down from 30% in the 1980s. That's thanks to higher tariffs introduced in Trump's first administration, along with job-creating legislative initiatives from former President Joe Biden's administration like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPs) Act. Most of the new manufacturing jobs in the U.S. are focused on electrical equipment, appliances, electric vehicle batteries, and computers, as well as transportation equipment like cars and airplanes, the report said. But advances in automation may undercut some job creation, it added. 'Since most of the reshoring will be concentrated in industrials and manufacturing, reshoring will not create a significant number of new jobs as those new production lines will be mostly automated,' the report said. What's more expected, especially in more labor-focused industries, is 'friendshoring' or 'nearshoring,' in which production is moved out of places like China and either closer to the U.S., or to places with better U.S. relations, the survey found. 'The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and geographical proximity makes Mexico a more straightforward potential beneficiary,' the report found. 'Additionally, Mexico should be a net beneficiary in transportation, food and beverages, restaurants, and homebuilders.' Other countries likely to benefit from this shift are Vietnam, Thailand, and India, the report found. Read the original article on Investopedia Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Hanes Names S&S Activewear Exclusive Distributor for Printwear Channel
Historic agreement marks new chapter for iconic brand and long-standing partnership BOLINGBROOK, Ill., June 09, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--S&S Activewear and HanesBrands Inc. are proud to announce a landmark agreement that makes S&S the exclusive distributor of the Hanes brand in the North American printwear channel. This milestone builds on a decades-long partnership and sets the stage for a bold new era of growth, innovation and customer focus. At the heart of the Hanes legacy is the iconic Beefy-T®, a style that helped define the printwear category and continues to be a customer favorite for its comfort, durability and printability. Hanes is the top-selling apparel brand in the U.S. and brings over 110 years of heritage in quality and innovation to the market. With this exclusive partnership, S&S will not only carry the full range of Hanes styles but will also offer deeper inventory positions and enhanced availability across its national distribution network—ensuring decorators and promotional partners get what they need, when they need it. "This is more than an agreement—it's an evolution of one of the industry's most enduring relationships," said Mike Faircloth, HanesBrands President Global Operations. "Hanes has been a foundational brand in printwear for decades. With S&S as our exclusive distributor, we're doubling down on that legacy while positioning ourselves to lead in the next chapter of the market." The partnership comes on the heels of S&S's successful integration with alphabroder—creating a unified platform that offers customers expanded product access, faster delivery and unmatched service. With over 6 million square feet of warehouse space, advanced automation technologies, and a portfolio of more than 100 top industry and exclusive brands, S&S has established itself as the leading technology-enabled, customer-focused distributor in the channel. "We're incredibly proud to deepen our relationship with Hanes, a brand that represents both heritage and reliability," said Frank Myers, CEO of S&S Activewear. "As a unified company, we're in a better position than ever to bring more of Hanes's trusted styles to more customers, more efficiently while continuing to raise the bar on service." Through this strategic alignment, customers can expect: A focused and expanded Hanes assortment, available exclusively from S&S Deeper inventories across S&S's nationwide network of distribution centers Faster shipping and delivery windows for Hanes styles Seamless ordering through the unified S&S website and service model Customers may continue to purchase Hanes products from other distributors through the transition period. This partnership will be fully operational by December 31, 2025. This agreement reflects a shared belief that the future of the printwear industry will be shaped by deeper, more strategic partnerships between manufacturers and distributors—focused on long-term brand building, supply chain alignment and delivering unmatched value to customers. "As we continue to grow, our focus remains on supporting the industry's most trusted brands," added Myers. "We believe strong partnerships with manufacturers like Hanes are what drive value and progress for the industry and our customers." For more information on S&S Activewear, visit For more information on Hanes, visit About S&S Activewear Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Bolingbrook, Illinois, S&S Activewear is a leading technology-enabled distributor of apparel and accessories in the United States and Canada. S&S offers more than 100 brands, including basic garments to fashion-forward styles, with over 6 million square feet of warehouse space across North America. S&S services a broad range of customers through its nationwide network, including retail brands, e-commerce companies, garment decorators, promotional products distributors, entertainment merchandisers, lifestyle brands and web-based platforms for apparel customization. About HanesBrands Hanes, America's No. 1 apparel brand, has been a trusted name in comfort and quality for over a century. As a leading provider of intimates, underwear, sleepwear, socks, and casual apparel, Hanes is committed to delivering innovative designs that prioritize fit, durability, and everyday ease. The brand is also dedicated to sustainability, with a focus on responsible sourcing, reducing environmental impact, and supporting ethical manufacturing practices. Hanes products are available at major retailers nationwide and directly at making comfort accessible to everyone. View source version on Contacts Media Contacts For S&S,Hope SanderRed Fan Communicationspr@ 737-280-8783 For Hanes,Jonathan Binder336-682-9654 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Wire
an hour ago
- Business Wire
Hanes Names S&S Activewear Exclusive Distributor for Printwear Channel
BOLINGBROOK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- S&S Activewear and HanesBrands Inc. are proud to announce a landmark agreement that makes S&S the exclusive distributor of the Hanes brand in the North American printwear channel. This milestone builds on a decades-long partnership and sets the stage for a bold new era of growth, innovation and customer focus. S&S Activewear becomes Hanes exclusive distributor in the U.S. printwear channel. At the heart of the Hanes legacy is the iconic Beefy-T®, a style that helped define the printwear category and continues to be a customer favorite for its comfort, durability and printability. Hanes is the top-selling apparel brand in the U.S. and brings over 110 years of heritage in quality and innovation to the market. With this exclusive partnership, S&S will not only carry the full range of Hanes styles but will also offer deeper inventory positions and enhanced availability across its national distribution network—ensuring decorators and promotional partners get what they need, when they need it. 'This is more than an agreement—it's an evolution of one of the industry's most enduring relationships,' said Mike Faircloth, HanesBrands President Global Operations. 'Hanes has been a foundational brand in printwear for decades. With S&S as our exclusive distributor, we're doubling down on that legacy while positioning ourselves to lead in the next chapter of the market.' The partnership comes on the heels of S&S's successful integration with alphabroder—creating a unified platform that offers customers expanded product access, faster delivery and unmatched service. With over 6 million square feet of warehouse space, advanced automation technologies, and a portfolio of more than 100 top industry and exclusive brands, S&S has established itself as the leading technology-enabled, customer-focused distributor in the channel. 'We're incredibly proud to deepen our relationship with Hanes, a brand that represents both heritage and reliability,' said Frank Myers, CEO of S&S Activewear. 'As a unified company, we're in a better position than ever to bring more of Hanes's trusted styles to more customers, more efficiently while continuing to raise the bar on service.' Through this strategic alignment, customers can expect: A focused and expanded Hanes assortment, available exclusively from S&S Deeper inventories across S&S's nationwide network of distribution centers Faster shipping and delivery windows for Hanes styles Seamless ordering through the unified S&S website and service model Customers may continue to purchase Hanes products from other distributors through the transition period. This partnership will be fully operational by December 31, 2025. This agreement reflects a shared belief that the future of the printwear industry will be shaped by deeper, more strategic partnerships between manufacturers and distributors—focused on long-term brand building, supply chain alignment and delivering unmatched value to customers. 'As we continue to grow, our focus remains on supporting the industry's most trusted brands,' added Myers. 'We believe strong partnerships with manufacturers like Hanes are what drive value and progress for the industry and our customers.' For more information on S&S Activewear, visit For more information on Hanes, visit About S&S Activewear Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Bolingbrook, Illinois, S&S Activewear is a leading technology-enabled distributor of apparel and accessories in the United States and Canada. S&S offers more than 100 brands, including basic garments to fashion-forward styles, with over 6 million square feet of warehouse space across North America. S&S services a broad range of customers through its nationwide network, including retail brands, e-commerce companies, garment decorators, promotional products distributors, entertainment merchandisers, lifestyle brands and web-based platforms for apparel customization. About HanesBrands Hanes, America's No. 1 apparel brand, has been a trusted name in comfort and quality for over a century. As a leading provider of intimates, underwear, sleepwear, socks, and casual apparel, Hanes is committed to delivering innovative designs that prioritize fit, durability, and everyday ease. The brand is also dedicated to sustainability, with a focus on responsible sourcing, reducing environmental impact, and supporting ethical manufacturing practices. Hanes products are available at major retailers nationwide and directly at making comfort accessible to everyone.
