Sharp's Initial Vehicle Aims to Connect with Your Toaster and Refrigerator as Well | Carscoops

      The evolved Sharp LDK+ concept, built on Foxconn’s electric vehicle platform, appears significantly closer to production readiness.

      The latest LDK+ concept features smaller and more traditional dimensions.

      It includes a lounge-style cabin equipped with a swiveling seat and a home projector.

      This model shares its EV platform with the 2027 Foxconn Model A minivan.

      For many years, Sharp has been recognized primarily for televisions, microwaves, and air purifiers rather than vehicles. Now, the company aims to bring its home-technology comfort to the automotive world.

      The Japanese electronics powerhouse is intensifying its venture into the automotive field, utilizing Foxconn’s research and development and manufacturing capabilities. Its newest initiative is a more refined version of the LDK+ electric minivan concept, which will be introduced at the Japan Mobility Show later this month.

      The latest iteration of the LDK+ is much closer to a production vehicle compared to the prototype revealed in 2024. Its proportions align more closely with those of a typical minivan, moving away from the earlier cab-over design.

      Approaching the Finished Product

      The front end has become more pronounced, featuring full-width LED headlights set within a covered grille that displays the Sharp logo. Nevertheless, the overall design still appears rather ordinary, despite the two-tone color scheme.

      The minivan is equipped with sliding doors and an upright rear, while traditional mirrors and door handles suggest that the concept is nearing its production stage.

      An interior image showcases the cabin, which is accessible through a wide pillarless entry. The layout boasts a flat floor, a swiveling driver's seat that can face the rear, and a console box with a foldable table.

      A rear bench designed to accommodate three passengers is positioned further back, which diminishes cargo space but fosters a lounge-like atmosphere with ambient lighting.

      Sharp envisions the LDK+ as an “extension of the living room” when parked. Although the large 65-inch screen from the original concept is absent, the updated version includes a projector and a retractable screen above the rear bench, allowing the cabin to serve as a mobile theater or remote workspace.

      The EV integrates Sharp’s AIoT platform, enabling it to connect with household devices like appliances, air conditioners, and washing machines. It employs AI to understand user habits and preferences, and supports vehicle-to-home (V2H) functionality, solar power integration, and residential battery systems.

      Shared Electric Vehicle Platform

      The Sharp LDK+ shares its foundation with the Foxconn Model A, which was presented as a concept last year featuring a highly modular interior and a customizable exterior suitable for both professional and personal use.

      The company has not yet disclosed the specifications of the electric powertrain or battery pack that will likely be shared with its Sharp counterpart.

      Foxconn’s minivan is set to hit Japanese roads in early 2027, with plans for expansion into ASEAN markets thereafter.

      Sharp has not announced when or where its version will be launched, but additional details are anticipated at the Japan Mobility Show on October 30.