Sony, Honda to Take on Tesla With In-Car PS5 Hardware

(Photo: Triyansh Gill/Unsplash)From YouTube and Netflix to arcade games and virtual sketch pads, Teslas are known for their vast infotainment options. The luxury electric vehicle (EV) was among the first to introduce leisurely entertainment options to its central touch screen, and now other automakers are scrambling to meet the moment. And what better way to do that than by combining a car with the coveted PlayStation 5?

Sony, which entered a partnership with Honda earlier this year, is looking at bringing its gaming software to its future fleet of EVs. The joint venture (simply called Sony Honda Mobility Inc.) announced in October that it would likely put its first model up for pre-order in the first half of 2025 with deliveries beginning in 2026. Though Sony Honda Mobility Inc. didn’t share anything about what that model would look like, we now have an idea of the technology powering its infotainment system.

Entertainment is Sony’s bread and butter, and the hardware giant plans to use its expertise to set its vehicles apart from competitors’. Though this alone doesn’t come as a surprise—Sony will almost definitely have a say in the speakers, touch panels, and other experiential hardware involved in the partnership—it appears Sony is interested in bringing elements of its beloved gaming console to the road. According to a new Financial Times report, Sony Honda Mobility Inc. president Izumi Kawanishi says it’s “technologically possible” for the venture to integrate the PlayStation 5 into its cars.

While plenty of vehicles offer infotainment systems nowadays, they tend to rely on third-party interfaces like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. These interfaces serve as the base upon which individual entertainment options, like video streaming and gaming apps, can be added. But it’s the third-party status that precludes automaker loyalty; someone who loves Apple CarPlay can enjoy that interface in nearly any manufacturer’s newer models. If Sony can use the PlayStation 5’s gorgeous and user-friendly interface in its vehicles—not to mention the hardware that makes on-the-go gaming possible—it could very well get a head start on fostering the loyalty other automakers are missing out on.

“Sony has content, services, and entertainment technologies that move people,” Kawanishi told Financial Times. “We are adapting these assets to mobility, and this is our strength against Tesla.”

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