Sony and Honda have teamed up through their joint venture, Sony Honda Mobility (SHM), to build an electric vehicle that does more than just drive. Their forthcoming EV, called the Afeela 1, will introduce an entertainment feature never before seen in a production car: in-car integration of PlayStation Remote Play, enabling passengers and drivers when parked to stream and play PlayStation games from their home consoles right through the car’s interface.
This unusual blend of automotive innovation and gaming technology highlights how car manufacturers are now competing not just on range and performance, but on in-cabin digital experiences. The Afeela’s support for PS5 and PS4 Remote Play positions it uniquely in the EV market, combining mobility with entertainment in a way that might redefine how we think about driving breaks or long journeys.
PS Remote Play is a feature developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment that lets users stream games from a PlayStation console over the internet to another connected device. In a home setting, players use it to stream PS5 or PS4 games to phones, tablets, or secondary screens. For the new Afeela EV, this means the car’s built-in infotainment system can act as that remote screen provided the user’s PS5 or PS4 at home is powered on and connected to the internet.
Rather than installing a physical PS5 console inside the vehicle, the system relies on real-time streaming of gameplay from the console to the Afeela’s display. This is a critical distinction: the games still run on the user’s home console hardware; the car simply receives and displays the stream while sending back controller inputs over the network.
How It Works Inside the Afeela
The PS Remote Play integration is built straight into the Afeela’s in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) system. Once connected to a broadband network, passengers can launch Remote Play and access their library of PlayStation games via the car’s touchscreen and audio system. Sony recommends a minimum internet connection of 5 megabits per second, though 15 Mbps or more will deliver a more fluid and responsive gaming experience.
Players can bring along their DualSense controller from home and use it in the vehicle just as they would at home. The car’s embedded audio and display system will then handle game sound and visuals turning the cabin into a gaming lounge of sorts.
Because the system depends on internet streaming rather than local processing, strong mobile data or Wi-Fi connectivity is key for smooth gameplay. Slow or unstable connections, especially in rural areas or on highways with weak coverage, could make remote play choppy or unusable.
Automakers are increasingly broadening the definition of in-car entertainment beyond music and video. Tesla, for instance, previously offered support for running Steam games on the screens of its Model S and X, though that feature was later removed. With Afeela, Sony and Honda are combining gaming, mobility, and digital connectivity in a way no other EV currently matches.
Play does more than just offer a fun distraction: it positions the car as an extension of the user’s digital life. On long road trips, during charging stops, or while waiting in a parking lot, passengers can continue kicking off a quest in a beloved RPG or tackling races in their favorite racing game.
This could appeal particularly to families and gamers who often find themselves tethered to their consoles at home but stuck in the backseat on the road. It’s also part of a broader trend where vehicles are becoming multifunctional digital hubs rather than just transportation tools.
The Afeela EV: More Than Just a Gaming Car
While the PS Remote Play feature has garnered significant attention, the Afeela is a full-featured EV in its own right. Revealed at CES 2025, the Afeela 1 is set for delivery starting in mid-2026, with an expected starting price north of $89,000 in the U.S. market. It’s a mid-size electric vehicle powered by a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system with around 483 horsepower and a lithium-ion battery that offers roughly 300 miles (480 km) of range per charge.
The vehicle also includes a panoramic infotainment display, advanced driver assistance systems, and connectivity features designed for a fully digital experience inside the cabin. These elements reflect Sony’s desire to make the Afeela not just a car that moves people but one that entertains them and keeps them connected throughout the journey.
Despite its novelty, the PS Remote Play integration is not without limitations. Because the system streams games from a home console, users must ensure their PS5 or PS4 remains powered on and connected before departing. Additionally, inconsistent mobile data coverage could affect gameplay quality especially outside urban centers with strong signals.
Critics also note that the feature could be considered more of a gimmick than a core selling point, especially given the vehicle’s premium price relative to other EVs without such gaming functionality. There’s a risk that some buyers may prioritize core automotive qualities like range, performance, and efficiency over in-car gaming.
A New Era of Connected Cars
Sony and Honda’s Afeela is a bold step in the evolution of electric vehicles. By integrating PS Remote Play, they’ve created a vehicle that reflects how digital entertainment and mobility are becoming ever more intertwined. Whether this combination will become a mainstream expectation for future EVs remains to be seen, but for now, the Afeela stands as a unique crossover between gaming culture and automotive design, one that could inspire further innovation across the industry.
