As CES wraps up Friday we take a look at how AI is changing both the way vehicles are made and the driver experience.
Some of the major themes from this year's show in Las Vegas included:
- Companies from Bosch to Hyundai setting plans to use hydrogen as part of their zero-emission efforts.
- In-car voice assistant developments from VW, BMW and Bosch
- EV concepts from Honda and VinFast
See below for a recap of all the automotive tech stories from CES 2024.
A fond farewell from CES
Fri, Jan 12, 11:10 pm
Goodyear provided an antidote to the frenzied chaos of CES on the fourth and final day of the annual technology showcase.
A ride aboard Wingfoot Three, more commonly known as the Goodyear Blimp, was my final scheduled experience of the CES week. It offered a serene contrast to the weeklong scene at the Las Vegas Convention Center --and stunning views of the Las Vegas Strip.
The airship is more ship than aircraft. It bobs through the air at about 35 knots, much like how a boat would bob over gentle waves.
Airships may seem like a throwback transportation technology, especially after a week spent exploring future-minded mobility. But the airship itself has some new-ish new tech --Goodyear's three U.S.-based airships have all been built since 2013 and contain tilt-rotors like the ones seen on electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.
Hyundai air mobility subsidiary Supernal showcased its own eVTOL aircraft at CES, one of this week's standout developments. But at least in my book, riding the Goodyear Blimp rivals it as one of the coolest transportation moments from the show.
Thanks for reading, watching and listening to our coverage this week. We'll be back next year, CES.
--Pete Bigelow
Column: Is CES worth auto industry's time? You better believe it
Fri, Jan 12, 9:26 pm
Executive Editor Jamie Butters writes: "It's easy to make jokes about the overuse of buzzwords such as software-defined vehicles, ecosystem and generative AI. But despite the handful of automotive giants that weren't here because of product cycles or budget concerns or whatever other reason, pretty much everybody else was."
Cruise casts shadow on self-driving tech at CES 2024
Fri, Jan 12, 8:26 pm
Self-driving vehicles and advances in automated-driving technology have been a CES staple since Audi drove an A7 autonomously from San Francisco to Las Vegas nine years ago.
Not this time.
Column: 5 cool things from 2024 CES
Fri, Jan 12, 6:45 pm
Automotive News Europe's Doug Bolduc shares five technologies that impressed at CES.
AI is changing the cockpit as well as the brains of the car
Fri, Jan 12, 6:00 pm
The secret to AI-enabled vehicle tools is the computer chips that can handle the Herculean task of processing and responding to reams of data in real time.
CES 2024 in photos
Fri, Jan 12, 5:58 pm
There was much to see at the CES tech extravaganza in Las Vegas, where the automotive and mobility world featured prominently. Here are some of the sights.
Gentherm eyes new revenue streams through science-backed massages
Thu, Jan 11, 8:16 pm
Thermal management supplier Gentherm is betting that the vehicle interior of the future can help promote a person's physical and mental well-being. That's the promise behind the company's WellSense interior software platform, which debuted this week at CES 2024.
Exhibition of Failed Ideas offers a warning amid the hype
Thu, Jan 11, 3:08 pm
The CES Exhibition of Failed Ideas, tucked in the very back of Las Vegas Convention Center's North Hall, is a simple sea-green display that implores the viewer, "Don't let your product end up on this wall."
American Axle transitions into power source supplier
Thu, Jan 11, 2:36 am
American Axle & Manufacturing is preparing for a wave of global business for two new components that will change the way cars and trucks are powered: a next-generation 3-in-1 electric drive unit and an e-Beam axle for electric pickups and commercial vehicles.
Ford battery partner SK On sees strong EV growth beyond 2024
Wed, Jan 10, 11:43 pm
Ford Motor Co.'s South Korean battery partner SK On Co., which furloughed some U.S. workers last year amid waning EV demand, expects EV sales to be sluggish in 2024 but remains bullish in the long term.
Commentary: CES is expensive, but skipping it could be even more costly for Detroit 3
Wed, Jan 10, 11:43 pm
Memo to the Detroit 3: You really did yourself a disservice by skipping this year's CES.
Lotus Emira stuck at dealers until EPA signoff
Wed, Jan 10, 8:45 pm
Lotus has started delivering to dealers its last made-in-Great Britain sports car, the Emira. Problems is, they can't sell it --yet.
Somehow, the low-slung lightweight two-seater arrived at dealerships before the EPA granted approval for emissions.
Driving past the Lotus dealership on Sahara Avenue on the way to CES, I spotted several Emiras on the front line. Lotus spokesperson Vanessa Meier told Automotive News the company expects to receive EPA approval to sell the $100,000 cars by the end of the month.
Later in the year, Lotus will start selling a new generation of vehicles, including a sedan and a crossover that are made in China.
--Richard Truett
Continental uses unseen cameras for facial recognition features
Wed, Jan 10, 4:10 pm
Continental AG has developed a facial-recognition system that lets users unlock the door, start the car and even make purchases without a key fob --and without the camera being visible to the user.
Panasonic Energy channels AI to simplify tasks on the battery line
Wed, Jan 10, 3:41 pm
Panasonic Energy is using artificial intelligence tools to make its battery manufacturing employees more efficient.
“Most of your AI and generative AI use cases are on the consumer side, but now [we're] bringing it into industry and manufacturing,� Justin Herman, chief information officer and leader of Panasonic Energy, told Automotive News on the sidelines of CES.
Panasonic's electric vehicle battery arm has started AI integration on the battery manufacturing line at its gigafactory, which builds batteries for Tesla in Nevada.
Use cases will expand significantly over the next year, Herman said.
Generative AI can help employees pinpoint issues or discrepancies in datasets more efficiently, he said. For example, a process engineer was spending four hours per day trying to find and combine disparate data sources. The AI tool reduced that time to 10 minutes, he said.
“Now that process engineer can take that extra time to do what they wanted to do instead of those data silos. That, to me, is the power of AI,� Herman said.
--Hannah Lutz
Texas Instruments launches new semiconductor line at CES
Wed, Jan 10, 3:40 pm
Texas Instruments is launching a line of semiconductors aimed at improving automotive safety and efficiency.
The information technology company unveiled the semiconductors at CES. Their radar sensors are the industry's first tailored to optimize satellite architecture systems, the company said. Satellite architecture increases vehicle sensing range beyond 200 meters and improves advanced driver-assist systems.
“We've developed a device that is specific for radar for satellite architecture that is cost optimized and feature rich,� said Mark Ng, general manager for electrification at Texas Instruments.
Redesigned driver chips were also announced as part of the new semiconductor design. These chips contain new diagnostic tools to improve vehicle safety, Ng said.
--George Weykamp
Intel acquiring Silicon Mobility
Tue, Jan 9, 11:45 pm
Intel is acquiring Silicon Mobility, a company that designs EV energy management chips. Intel made the announcement Tuesday at CES.
Silicon Mobility's chips use accelerators for energy delivery and algorithms that are aimed at distributing energy more efficiently.
Jack Weast, vice president of Intel Automotive, said the industry can expect a “30 to 40 percent energy efficiency gain with an optimized vehicle platform� that actively manages energy distribution.
That increased efficiency could translate to smaller batteries or batteries of the same size with more range in electric vehicles, he said.
The deal is subject to regulatory approval.
- Molly Boigon
Intel releases new chip for software-defined vehicles at CES
Tue, Jan 9, 11:03 pm
Intel Corp. unveiled a new chip Tuesday at CES, its first designed specifically for software-defined vehicles.
Lordstown plant back in business?
Tue, Jan 9, 10:42 pm
The former General Motors and former Lordstown Motors plant in Ohio could be producing vehicles again by 2027. At CES, an executive from a small Woburn, Mass., startup called Indigo Technologies said the company has signed a memorandum of understanding with Taiwan's Foxconn to build midsize electric delivery vans.
Jason Michas, Indigo's product marketing manager, said Indigo expects to have a final contract signed with Foxconn in the next few months. At CES, Indigo showed two vehicles and the technology it is working on to propel its vehicle – compact wheelhub motors integrated with a suspension system.
The Lordstown plant most recently produced the Lordstown Endurance pickup, but the company ran out of money last year. Foxconn bought the plant from Lordstown.
According to Michas, Foxconn will build the Indigo van under contract for the company.
-Richard Truett
Fisker will exit direct sales and rely on dealers for all sales, service
Tue, Jan 9, 10:41 pm
Fisker is abandoning its plan to deliver vehicles directly to customers and will transition to franchised dealerships starting this year.
Mercedes deals bring streaming, gaming to cars
Tue, Jan 9, 9:37 pm
Mercedes-Benz is expanding its range of in-car digital experiences with a pair of streaming deals announced at CES.
The luxury automaker will offer Sony Pictures Entertainment's RIDEVU streaming service in its vehicles.
Mercedes customers can rent or purchase film and television shows such as Jumanji: The Next Level, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and The Equalizer 3.
Content can be synchronously streamed on six in-car screens or personal devices.
Mercedes is also bringing in-vehicle gaming.
A collaboration with retro games streaming service, Antstream Arcade, will integrate cloud gaming into Mercedes vehicles.
-Urvaksh Karkaria
Cool feature on Magna's e-drive
Tue, Jan 9, 9:26 pm
Here's what's cool about the Magna e-drive we reported on earlier: It can be installed in the front or rear of a vehicle. It tilts 90 degrees and does not require any modifications to the cooling or lubrication systems.
That saves millions on product development, Magna says.
-Richard Truett
Mobileye announces first Chinese automaker to launch its cloud-enhanced ADAS
Tue, Jan 9, 9:23 pm
Mobileye announced at CES that Chery will be the first Chinese automaker to launch its cloud-enhanced, crowdsourced ADAS system, REM.
“This is the first launch in China for cloud-enhanced driving assist,� said Amnon Shashua, Mobileye's CEO. He added that he hoped it would be “the first of many.�
REM is a crowdsourced, cloud-connected mapping technology for assisted and autonomous vehicles.
Shashua highlighted REM's rollout in China, which encompasses more than 160,000 vehicles in 22 cities.
He said separately that Mobileye has a deal with a “major Western OEM� and would launch two products in 17 models across multiple brands in 2026..
Molly Boigon
Luminar takes lidar tech to Formula 1
Tue, Jan 9, 9:05 pm
Luminar is bringing its lidar tech to the pinnacle of motorsports --Formula 1.
The Orlando, Fla.-based company announced at CES it will work with Mercedes-Benz to incorporate its remote sensing technology into the roofline of the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series Formula 1 safety car.
Lidar uses laser light pulses to render precise images of the environment around the vehicle.
Off the track, Mercedes plans to integrate millions of Luminar's lidar sensors into its production vehicles by mid-decade to support automated emergency braking and automated driving.
Last year, Mercedes introduced Drive Pilot, a Level 3 automated driving system that enables vehicles to take active control and responsibility for operations. The company has self-certified the system as road-ready in California and Nevada so far.
-Urvaksh Karkaria
Honda plans new line of EVs starting with Saloon model
Tue, Jan 9, 8:10 pm
Honda announced plans at CES to launch a new global line of dedicated electric vehicles starting with a sedan in the U.S. in 2026. The portfolio of EVs from what the Japanese automaker is calling the Honda 0 Series will revolve around two concept vehicles it unveiled at the show.
Vietnam's VinFast shows concept pickup for U.S. at CES
Tue, Jan 9, 8:02 pm
Electric vehicle maker VinFast unveiled an electric pickup concept that could go on sale in the U.S. as early as 2026, the Vietnamese automaker said. The VF Wild concept is a midsize pickup with a flexible bed that can be extended into the rear of the cab through a power-folding midgate that allows access to the rear-seat area.
VinFast shows concept pickup for U.S. market at CES
Tue, Jan 9, 8:01 pm
The VF Wild concept is a midsize pickup with a flexible bed that can be extended into the rear off the cab through a power-folding midgate that allows access to the rear-seat area. It could go on sale in the U.S. by 2026.
Hyundai Motor Group unveils Supernal aircraft
Tue, Jan 9, 7:57 pm
The SA-2 is a four-passenger battery-electric aircraft. Supernal said it is designed to travel at 120 mph at an altitude of 1,500 feet above ground level. Initial trips will be in the 25- to 40-mile range.
Commercial service is intended to launch in 2028.
--Pete Bigelow
Here enhances EV range estimates, on-time fleet arrivals
Tue, Jan 9, 7:45 pm
Here Technologies is adding precision to electric vehicle route planning and fleet estimated arrival times. The mapping and location platform is launching EV range factors that account for road topography, elevation change, temperature and wind data for more accurate range calculations for an EV's route.
Today's range predictions rely heavily on historical data from previous trips rather than real-time variables. Most automakers are optimistic with range estimates, predicting about 20 percent more range than is actually available, said Christopher Handley, vice president of dynamic spatial content at Here Technologies. The product will be available in mid-2024.
The company also launched Here Advanced Traffic Patterns, which is designed to improve the planning, routing and delivery of goods and packages. Traditional arrival estimates are based on average vehicle speed, but commercial vehicles travel at slower speeds than passenger vehicles. Estimated times of arrival for trucks require segmentation of that speed data, Here says. Advanced Traffic Patterns relies on trillions of data points from sensors, telematics systems and mobile devices to better calculate speed information and ETAs for commercial vehicles.
--Hannah Lutz
Autonomous vehicles need V2X expansion, CES panelists say
Tue, Jan 9, 7:03 pm
As fully autonomous vehicles remain out of reach, those on the “Unlocking V2X: How to Ignite a Transportation Revolution� panel presented by Magna said they believe that vehicle-to-everything connectivity would accelerate the AV revolution.
“I don't think you will have the full realization of automated driving without V2X involved as well,� said Brad Stertz, director of government affairs at Audi.
V2X technology allows communication between connected vehicles and connected infrastructure, among other nodes. While technically feasible, it has been dogged by delays, including government and automakers waiting for each other to make the first significant move, what Stertz called a “chicken-and-egg� problem.
Until recently, stakeholders were also waiting for clarity from the Federal Communications Commission regarding a band of spectrum for V2X.
--Molly Boigon
Magna debuts e-drive, anti-drunken driving tech at CES
Tue, Jan 9, 7:01 pm
Canadian supplier giant Magna International Inc. unveiled an e-drive on Tuesday at CES that it says offers increased efficiency and power. It also debuted anti-drunken driving technology that can detect if a driver is above the blood alcohol limit via cameras and sensors.
Computer code the root of most vehicle quality problems
Tue, Jan 9, 6:06 pm
Today's cars have around 100 million lines of computer code that run everything from the powertrain to the windshield wipers.
In a presentation to media ahead of CES, Jan Becker, founder of Apex AI, explained how computer code is the root of most of the quality problems in today's new cars. Because automakers rely on dozens of preprogrammed components purchased from suppliers, they've lost the ability to quickly fix bugs that can affect safety, comfort and reliability.
A lack of software expertise, he said, will drive some automakers out of business as automobiles because more and more complex. The solution: Automakers need to purchase systems that are chip, sensor and hardware agnostic and start writing their own software, something Chinese automakers are already doing, he said.
Becker, who has worked for several automakers and major suppliers, is a pioneer in self-driving technology. Apex AI develops scalable software for mobility systems.
--Richard Truett
Sony Honda Mobility touts AI, gaming tech to enhance Afeela drive at CES
Tue, Jan 9, 3:54 pm
A year after debuting the Afeela prototype, Sony Honda Mobility used CES 2024 to showcase features to improve the driver experience --in real life and through the gaming console.
Goodyear unveils plans for an EV future with new tires
Tue, Jan 9, 2:51 pm
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is developing a product for electric vehicles that it says will help ease something that's hampered their competitiveness against gas-powered vehicles: tire duration.
Kodiak Robotics keeps pace with key competitor, unveils enhanced self-driving system at CES
Tue, Jan 9, 2:47 pm
Kodiak Robotics detailed technology enhancements intended to prepare its autonomous trucks for widespread deployment when it showcased a sixth-generation system at CES 2024 on Tuesday morning.
Why Hyundai and others are bullish on hydrogen
Tue, Jan 9, 1:30 pm
Hyundai Motor Group underscored hydrogen's promise Monday at CES. The company unveiled a sprawling strategy that outlined business verticals across hydrogen production, storage and fuel-cell use in vehicles, aircraft and ships.
Stellantis, BlackBerry, Amazon collaborate on 'virtual cockpit' development tool
Tue, Jan 9, 1:29 pm
More EV manufacturers announce Nvidia partnerships at CES
Tue, Jan 9, 3:29 am
Automakers including Li Auto, Great Wall Motor, Zeekr and Xiaomi are using Nvidia platforms to power their electric vehicles, the accelerated computing company announced at CES Monday.
Those Chinese automakers are using the Nvidia Drive Orin and its successor, the Nvidia Drive Thor. The two processors both use a single architecture to control multiple vehicle functions, including autonomous driving and parking features and other artificial intelligence-enabled tools.
As vehicles, especially those with electric drivetrains, become more software-defined, hardware has become more complicated. The automakers' adoptions of Nvidia's platforms reflect a shift in the industry toward more consolidated vehicle architecture that runs multiple functions off one or two chips.
“The real software-defined car truly needs to have that centralized computer that is controlling everything else around it,� said Danny Shapiro, Nvidia's vice president of automotive. “You need to have a single brain; you can't have all these independent pieces really trying to understand the complete 360 degrees.�
--Molly Boigon
Kia leans into commercial sector with a line of modular EVs
Mon, Jan 8, 11:37 pm
Kia Corp. will develop a series of modular electric vehicles with a range of flexible loading and hauling capabilities that can be used commercially or for personal transportation.
Harman unveils new head-up windshield and cabin tech at CES
Mon, Jan 8, 10:00 pm
Keeping drivers focused on the road has become a challenge amid an influx of infotainment options and in-cabin technology. Harman aspires to keep their attention where it belongs.
The Samsung Electronics subsidiary unveiled a new lineup of cabin tech products Monday at CES. Chief among them is a souped-up head-up display that utilizes the windshield as an additional screen.
The Ready Vision system displays important information such as speed and route on the lower portion of the windshield without obstructing the overall view. Harman touts this as an example of augmented reality for automotive cabins.
What differentiates this from more run-of-the-mill head-up displays, beyond the additional information, is a reliance on Samsung's homegrown technology tailored for automotive purposes. Samsung's Neo QLED display technology allows for more vivid colors and higher-resolution images.
--Pete Bigelow
Valeo pushes ahead with inductive EV charging
Mon, Jan 8, 9:51 pm
Celebrating its 10th visit to CES, Valeo is giving inductive charging for EVs another shot.
The technology hasn't been widely accepted in the market, but the French supplier is aiming to change that. On Monday, Valeo CEO Christophe Perillat introduced Ineez Air Charging, a wireless charging solution that uses ultralow operating frequency, around 3 kilohertz. Valeo says this offers a unique, lighter and simpler charging experience.
The supplier aims for a vehicle-to-grid functionality for a power solution from 7 to 22 kilowatts and said Monday that the system can work in any charging location.
--Lennart Wermke
Bosch and Amazon Web Services cover drivers' caffeine boosts, on-the-road questions
Mon, Jan 8, 9:37 pm
Bosch and Amazon Web Services are now covering drivers' caffeine boosts and on-the-road questions, looking to meet their gaze. The two companies have partnered on in-vehicle technology that tracks drivers' eye movements and predicts --and acts on --their needs. The technology is launching at CES and available for automakers.
Hyundai aims for hydrogen systems from production to vehicles
Mon, Jan 8, 8:26 pm
Hyundai Motor Group is embarking on a wide-ranging strategy for hydrogen production, storage, transportation and utilization to achieve carbon neutrality across numerous affiliated businesses --including steel making --by midcentury, the company announced at CES today.
Industry experts say customers need to want --and pay for --AI-driven technology
Mon, Jan 8, 8:24 pm
A panel of automotive experts at CES implored automakers to think ahead about whether customers will actually use and pay for new artificial intelligence-enabled features.
At “How AI-Powered Strategies Can Transform the Mobility Experience,� presented by EY, panelists including Constantin Gall, a managing partner at EY, agreed that AI has transformative potential for sales, navigation and infotainment. At the same time, automakers often consider too late whether customers will opt in and pay.
“OEMs get carried away� in designing new features “due to the engineering DNA and legacy,� he said, “but at the end of the day, does anyone really click that option and pay another $100, $1,000?�
--Molly Boigon
Nvidia expands its reach in China's EV sector
Mon, Jan 8, 7:38 pm
Nvidia said four Chinese EV brands will use its technology as the brains for automated driving systems, underscoring the U.S. chip maker's determination to expand in China despite Washington's tighter export rules.
BMW, Amazon Alexa CES collaboration marks next phase of voice assistant battle
Mon, Jan 8, 6:14 pm
BMW said at CES that it will start to use Amazon Alexa technology in its voice assistant in some of its models this year.
Bosch Mobility announces hydrogen combustion engine for 2024, automated valet EV charging and more at CES
Mon, Jan 8, 6:14 pm
A week after Bosch Mobility's official launch as an independent unit of its mega supplier parent, the group outlined business plans across various parts of the auto industry and outlined plans for a new hydrogen combustion engine.
Kenworth and Peterbilt rack up fuel cell truck orders
Mon, Jan 8, 4:43 pm
Kenworth and Peterbilt corporate parent Paccar said at CES that it now has 150 paid deposits for hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty trucks.
Although that's a small number compared with the thousands of diesel trucks Paccar sells annually, the orders demonstrate interest in the zero-emission vehicles --spurred by increasingly stringent environmental regulations in California and other states.
Toyota is manufacturing the fuel cell stacks for the Kenworth T680 and Peterbilt Model 579 trucks. They are based on the technology developed for Toyota's Mirai passenger car. The fuel cell models will complement a line of electric trucks Paccar is developing.
“We are investing in multiple zero emissions technologies in order to have the right trucks and transportation solutions for our customers,� John Rich, Paccar's senior vice president and chief technology officer, said in a statement.
--Jerry Hirsch
Panasonic Automotive eyes increased sales amid potential stake sale
Mon, Jan 8, 4:38 pm
Panasonic Automotive Systems sees its presence at CES as a means to build deeper relationships with tech giants and automakers as the auto parts arm of Panasonic, the Japanese battery company, prepares for a new era.
Valeo and BMW to roll out Teleoperated parking in 2025
Mon, Jan 8, 4:38 pm
CES attendees will get to test a different type of automated driving system coming to market next year. French supplier Valeo and BMW will offer Teleoperated Parking in BMW crossovers in 2025.
If the technology catches on, it could be a game-changer for companies that need to move a lot of cars but want to do it with just a few people.
Here's how it works: A “driver� sitting in an office at what looks like a gaming console takes control of the BMW. Using a steering wheel and pedals, the driver can move the car into and out of parking spaces.
At a CES preview for media, Valeo North American President Jeff Shay demonstrated how the system works. One example where the technology can save time, money and labor, Shay said, is at the end of automakers' production lines when they need to move vehicles into parking lots for shipping. Shay said the only modifications needed to the BMW involve the software. Here's a video showing how it works.
Attendees can sign up to test the system at the Las Vegas Convention Center parking lot.
--Richard Truett
VW partners with Cerence to bring ChatGPT into vehicles
Mon, Jan 8, 3:56 pm
Volkswagen Group plans to integrate ChatGPT functionality into its voice assistant in a range of vehicles, the brand said Monday at CES.
VW partnered with Cerence and utilized the software company's generative artificial intelligence-powered Cerence Chat Pro for the functionality. VW said the updated voice assistant can now answer general questions as well as control the vehicle's infotainment and air conditioning.
The German automaker says the feature is being considered for the U.S. It will launch in Europe, a Volkswagen spokesperson said. Cerence said the feature will roll out via an over-the-air update. VW said ChatGPT does not gain any access to vehicle data, and all questions and answers are deleted.
"We are offering our drivers added value and direct access to the AI-based research tool," Kai Grünitz, head of development at the VW brand, said in a statement.
VW said the voice assistant will be included in several models such as the ID4, Tiguan and the upcoming 2025 Golf. VW also showed the face-lifted Golf, albeit camouflaged, at CES ahead of its late January debut.
--Jack Walsworth
Live talk at noon EST Thursday: The best of CES 2024
Mon, Jan 8, 3:53 pm
Join the Automotive News staff at noon EST Thursday (9 a.m. Pacific) as we recap the biggest stories of CES 2024.
Yanfeng shows a futuristic EV interior concept in its first CES appearance
Mon, Jan 8, 3:51 pm
Chinese supplier Yanfeng is hoping to use its first-ever booth at CES to show off how vehicle cabins, including seats, audio and steering wheels, can evolve to meet rising comsumer expectations of vehicle interiors.
Growth expected in auto-tech market in 2024, per new industry forecast
Mon, Jan 8, 3:48 am
Consumers will spend more on automotive technology in 2024 than they did last year, but the pace of growth is expected to slow.
That's the projection from the Consumer Technology Association, the organization which owns and manages CES.
The market for factory installed automotive tech reached $23.8 billion in 2023, a 14 percent year-over-year increase, according to the CTA's Industry Forecast issued ahead of the annual tech showcase in Las Vegas. Rick Kowalski, the organization's senior director of business intelligence, expects a more modest 5 percent increase in 2024.
“The whole interior of the car is evolving,� he said. “We see more screens, more interactive interfaces and more voice technology.�
Supply-chain bottlenecks that began during the pandemic have largely been resolved, he said. That mirrors progress for the broader consumer technology sector, which faced greater challenges than the auto-tech sector.
CES will cast a substantial spotlight on artificial-intelligence advances across industries, including automotive, and Kowalski expects AI will foster that economic rebound
Pete Bigelow
Electric motorcycles debut at CES Unveiled
Mon, Jan 8, 3:07 am
At least two electric motorcycle brands put the spotlight on their battery-powered bikes at the CES preview show, CES Unveiled, where a select group of companies show products to reporters ahead of the official show.
Horwin Inc. is making its U.S. brand debut at CES with a line of three electric motorcycles: the Senmenti series.
The Senmenti 0 (pictured) will be available in the fourth quarter, spokesman Dan Ahern said.
The Senmenti 0 has a range of 186 miles, can charge to 80 percent in 30 minutes on a fast charger and can speed from 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds, the company said. Horwin will also show two concepts at the official CES show this week: the Senmenti X Hyper GT high-performance e-motorcycle with a 250-mile range and the Senmenti 11: a sleek, futuristic e-motorcycle.
Verge Motorcycles is showing the Verge TS Ultra e-motorcycle with a range up to 233 miles and a 25-minute fast charge. The motorcycle can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds, Verge Motorcycles said. The Verge TS Ultra starts at $44,900 and is available to reserve with a $1,000 deposit.
--Hannah Lutz
CES protip: Airport badge pickup
Sun, Jan 7, 9:54 pm
With more than 100,000 people expected to attend this year's CES there will be long lines for everything. But there are a few shortcuts. Here's one for getting into the show quickly:
If you've registered for CES and are flying into Las Vegas, you can pickup your credentials right at the airport. Go to the luggage claim area. In between carousels 7-8 and 9-10 you will see a CES booth.
All you need to do is type your name into a computer and show your ID. Then your credentials will be printed and you are good to go.
-Richard Truett
Behind the eyes of Bosch's driver monitoring system
Sun, Jan 7, 9:47 pm
Ever wonder what the cameras and sensors see and monitor as they scan for driver distraction?
This photo was taken as Bosch engineers detailed their occupant monitoring system that will be available in Europe later this year.
Through cameras and radar, Bosch can determine such things as the position of the driver's eyelids, hands, and mouth. For instance, and drooping eyelids and extended yawns would trigger an audible alert.
Or, if the system detects that the driver is incapacitated, it could also initiate an emergency stop in cars that are equipped with self-driving features. Information from the cameras and sensors is fed into algorithm that determines the driver's condition.
In Europe starting this year, driver monitoring will be required for automakers to earn the highest safety ratings.
-Richard Truett
Column: CES still playing auto show game better than the rest
Sun, Jan 7, 9:44 pm
Executive Editor Jamie Butters writes: "As for CES vs. the traditional auto shows, one can argue they are playing different games. Vegas is for showing the concepts of the future to industry insiders, while the others are for letting consumers know what's available to buy today."
CES 2024 preview: Hyundai stands out amid smaller automaker field
Sun, Jan 7, 2:59 am
Hyundai Motor Group will use CES to highlight the latest in its air mobility efforts while Honda intends to debut an all-new global electric-vehicle series and showcase some of the key technologies driving its EV-minded transformation.
Afeela, the Sony-Honda joint venture, and Merceds-Benz also will show electric concepts.
VinFast to show electric pickup concept, VF 3 microcar at CES
Sun, Jan 7, 2:57 am
Vietnamese automaker VinFast will present two vehicles at CES that could be coming to U.S. dealerships within a couple of years: an electric pickup and the VF 3 microcar that could sell for under $20,000.
Ahead of CES 2024, automotive AI comes down to earth
Sun, Jan 7, 2:55 am
The auto industry sees tremendous potential in artificial intelligence, looking for it to play a role in predicting when vehicles might break down, monitoring driver behavior, providing automated driving assistance and improving customer service.
But as the industry prepares for CES in Las Vegas later this month, gone are the lofty commitments and lightning-speed timelines for promising new technologies such as AI.
Suppliers to pitch electrification, software capabilities at CES
Sun, Jan 7, 2:53 am
Auto parts makers will be exhibiting a growing portfolio of technologies at CES this year to show automakers their readiness in future needs for electrification and vehicle software.
EVs, charging to take back seat at CES
Sun, Jan 7, 2:49 am
Electric vehicle and charging news made a splash at the 2023 CES tech show. But their presence this year mirrors what's going on in the automotive market --a growth slowdown.
Mercedes to show AI-powered assistant at CES 2024
Sun, Jan 7, 2:49 am
Mercedes-Benz will reveal a number of digital innovations at CES in Las Vegas, including the MBUX Virtual Assistant, which the automaker says uses AI to provide a more human-like interaction with the car.
