While the likes of tech giants Dyson and Apple having backed away from electric vehicle development, one familiar name remains in the race and is putting an actual car on the road. Sony is starting road trials of its Vision-S concept vehicle indicating that the project is far more advanced than most observers believed.

The Vision-S concept was unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in January but was widely thought to be something of a sounding board for future developments. However, it appears the vehicle, which has an advanced ADAS system and all electric powertrain, has forged ahead.

The car has been developed with the assistance of electric and hybrid specialist Magna Steyr, who are also behind much of the Jaguar I-Pace technology. Although designed in Austria it will undergo road trials in Japan.

As yet it is unclear if Sony plans to actually produce its own vehicles, or use its technology in conjunction with existing vehicle manufacturers.