Another year of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has passed, and transportation is once again a major player on the most significant tech platform in the world. At CES 2024, we were captivated by more than just electric cars.
Automated driving, electric vehicle charging, software and particularly artificial intelligence, sensors, aircraft, boats, micromobility, drones, and the list goes on and on.
Some of the most interesting technological trends we saw at CES 2024 are listed below.
Electric Vehicles:
While General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis, the Big Three American automakers, may not have had big exhibits or new unveilings at CES, many others helped establish the conference as a significant automotive event. Electric concept and production cars were showcased at the exhibition by Sony, Honda, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Vinfast, and Turkey’s Togg.
At CES 2024, it wasn’t just the big names in the car industry that showed up. All modes of mobility, including motorbikes, e-bikes, go-karts, semi-trucks, boats, and planes, have been electrified.
For example, Segway unveiled numerous electric scooters. The E2 Pro and Superscooter ST1, two e-bikes, the Segway Xafari and the Segway Xyber, and a Segway GoKart Pro 2, a computer-connected racing simulator that can run games like Forza.
Several CES-related events, like Pepcom and Unveiled, also featured a plethora of startups. A startup out of Cleveland, Ohio, called Land Energy, returned with a sporty electric bike that can have its battery replaced, while a company from Finland called Verge Motorcycles showcased their electric motorcycle called the Verge TS Ultra. It featured a hubless ring design, advanced driver assist technology, and a powertrain that produced an astonishing 201 horsepower and 885 pound-feet of torque. There was also electrification in Eureka Park, the site of hundreds of companies. Solar Buggy, a business that has created an electric golf cart-style urban vehicle, drew my attention.
Then there were the drones and electric planes. In startup news, Pivotal began taking online orders for its Helix personal electric aircraft. At the same time, Zipline and Wing, two firms that make autonomous on-demand drones, struck a large contract with Walmart. A new electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft has been unveiled by Hyundai’s advanced air mobility unit Supernal, and a new concept has been unveiled by Xpeng Aeroht, a subsidiary of the Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng Motors. Additionally, the Land Aircraft Carrier deliveries are set to begin in late 2025.
There was an abundance of EV charging companies there, given the number of electric vehicles. Startups showcasing innovative techniques, such as WiTricity’s wireless charging technology and others concentrating on electric vehicle (EV) charging software, were discovered alongside the more well-known charging infrastructure firms.
Generative AI:
It was predicted that artificial intelligence would be the talk of CES 2024 long before the event even began. That was correct. Artificial intelligence is present in every aspect of transportation, from automobiles and e-bikes to scooters and electric planes.
A great number of companies promoted AI. Even though there was a lot of vaporware, many firms showcased how AI is being used in software to create (hopefully) improved products, such as sensors for vehicles, voice assistants in cars, and systems for autonomous driving.
Lots of people were talking about generative AI and, more especially, ChatGPT, an AI-powered chatbot that uses massively parallel deep learning models trained on massive datasets to do its tasks. The ones that stood out were BMW, another Volkswagen, and Cerence. Cerence is a software business.
Volkswagen has announced that all cars that come with the IDA voice assistant will also come with an AI-powered chatbot.
At the same time, a joint development initiative between BMW and Amazon showcased the application of generative AI driven by the Alexa LLM to enhance the capabilities of the automaker’s voice assistant and make information delivery more conversational and human.
Hydrogen Power:
Though hydrogen power isn’t new, it has recently been overshadowed by more conventional battery electric vehicles. However, there were countless hydrogen-powered vehicles of various sizes on display at CES 2024, so no one should know about this.
At CES, Hyundai shared its plans for hydrogen fuel cells and its expanding lineup of electric vehicles driven by batteries. Bosch, maker of hydrogen fuel cells (similar to the ones used by Nikola in its truck), has revealed plans to produce an engine capable of burning hydrogen. At the same time, Nikola unveiled one of its first U.S.-built hydrogen trucks that are now shipping to clients. Also on display was a hydrogen-powered truck from PACCAR, a truck manufacturer.
There were other hydrogen-focused firms. One such company was Croft Motors. The three-row SUV prototype that the startup is building has an “anticipated 1,000 miles of driving range” and is part of their line of “rugged” hydrogen-powered vehicles.
In-Cabin technologies:
There was a showcase of interior design concepts from automakers, suppliers, and even some startups. The ubiquitous curved touchscreen was among the many touchscreen options.
Beyond that, though, in-car tech expanded into domains such as entertainment, health checks, and safety. All around, there was eye-tracking technology. For example, Harman showcased their branded Ready Care system, which can monitor a driver’s vital signs, eye movement, and cognitive load to ascertain how attentive and focused they are on the road ahead.
Many businesses also demonstrated how sensors and cameras that were formerly employed for security purposes are now being utilized for services that prioritize user convenience. Bosch demonstrated how eye-tracking technology could be used in a vehicle to identify what you’re looking at while driving and provide relevant contextual information.
An enhanced voice assistant, in-car gaming, immersive music, and a well-developed app are just a few of the features that Mercedes unveiled that, when combined, provide a comprehensive experience for the driver and passengers. Sound Drive, i.am.’s new venture, syncs the vehicle’s controls with an intelligent multichannel mixer that modulates the audio system.
