automotive technology
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Sony and Honda’s Afeela EV Deliveries Start 2026
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Sony and Honda's joint venture, Sony Honda Mobility (SHM), plans to start delivering the $90,000 Afeela 1 electric vehicle in the US by late 2026, with Japanese deliveries beginning in early 2027. The Afeela 1, featuring advanced infotainment and semi-autonomous driving capabilities, is positioned as a platform for Sony's entertainment offerings, including the ability to stream PlayStation 5 games. An SUV concept was also revealed, hinting at a production model for 2028. As SHM enters the competitive high-end EV market, where demand has cooled due to saturation, the company faces challenges from established brands and the industry's shift towards more affordable models. This matters as it highlights the evolving landscape of the electric vehicle market and the strategic moves by tech and automotive giants to capture consumer interest.
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BMW iX3 to Feature Alexa+ Voice Assistant
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The 2026 BMW iX3 will feature the next-generation Alexa+ voice assistant, enhanced with generative AI technology, marking a significant advancement in automotive voice assistants. This collaboration between BMW and Amazon aims to integrate a custom version of Alexa+ into vehicles, leveraging Amazon's Alexa Custom Assistant platform. Alexa+ promises to deliver natural and seamless conversations, capable of handling complex requests and actions across various services, such as music, navigation, and home security, both at home and in the car. This development reflects Amazon's broader strategy to expand its LLM-powered voice assistant technology into the automotive sector, promising a more intuitive and frustration-free user experience. Bringing advanced voice assistants into vehicles matters as it enhances driver convenience and safety by reducing the need for manual interactions with various apps and systems.
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Teradar Unveils Summit Terahertz Sensor for Cars
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Teradar has unveiled its first terahertz-band vision sensor, named Summit, at the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show, aiming to revolutionize automotive sensor technology. The Summit sensor is designed to offer high-resolution, long-range performance in all weather conditions, addressing limitations of existing radar and lidar sensors. Teradar is collaborating with top automakers and suppliers to potentially integrate this sensor into vehicles by 2028, which could facilitate partial or full autonomy. As the automotive sensor market evolves, with lidar facing challenges from low-cost competition, Teradar's innovative approach using the terahertz band could provide a competitive edge and expand into other sectors beyond automotive. This matters because it represents a significant advancement in sensor technology that could enhance vehicle autonomy and safety features.