Automotive State of CES 2024

While legacy carmakers like Toyota, Ford, and Stellantis may have skipped the Consumer Electronics Show this year, it didn’t stop many luxury automakers and startups from showcasing their latest innovations.

One thing is for certain: cars today aren’t just cars anymore. They are becoming mobile entertainment hubs, AI-powered assistants, traveling workspaces, and everything in between.

Here are some of the stand-out tech themes that we noticed:

Advances in Artificial Intelligence

If there was an over-arching theme at this year’s CES, it was AI. It had its artificial hands in just about everything, and automotive was no exception.

AI features are becoming increasingly integrated into cars for features like voice control and driver aid. Large language models are being incorporated into car dashboards, allowing for natural language interaction and complex command processing. 

• Volkswagen is partnering with Cerence to bring ChatGPT to its cars. Pretty soon you’ll be able to ask it for directions, quickly search your owner’s manual, or fact-check your partner during an argument.
• BMW is partnering with Amazon to incorporate a customized voice assistant that directly connects to cars’ electronic interfaces through Alexa's large language model.
• Mercedes-Benz revealed its MB.OS operating system with AI virtual assistant.
• Intel's AI cars will create a “workspace on wheels.”

In-Car Entertainment

Nearly every automaker and manufacturer across the board featured in-car entertainment taking center stage. This year, CES was abuzz with talk of cars transforming into high-tech entertainment hubs. With larger, more interactive screens and all that integrated AI tech, we see endless opportunities for enhanced personalization and customization.

Enhanced multimedia systems, seamless connectivity, and interactive experiences will more and more define modern vehicles, shifting the focus from just commuting to enjoying every moment on the road. 

Augmented reality is very much in vogue right now. For example, these rad new XREAL Air 2 augmented reality glasses are kind of a game-changer for navigation. Sony and VW also mentioned utilizing emerging AR tech in their upcoming models.

In-car gaming seemed to be top-of-mind for automakers this year and certainly managed to grab everyone’s eyeballs. Can you blame them? Look at all this cool stuff!‍

• Razer and Lexus TX teamed up to create a fully tricked-out gaming car complete with gaming chairs, monitors, and even a built-in Xbox. Since it’s not street-legal, it’s more of a gaming room (with not a lot of room), but it’s still an interesting concept and shows just how far car-makers are willing to integrate entertainment into their platforms.
• BMW and NDream are also teaming up with their in-car gaming platform called “Air Console.” It will be accessed through the dashboard and controlled with smartphones.‍
• Nvidia’s gaming platform is coming to autos that work with their ecosystem – Polestar, Hyundai, and BYD.
• Holoride is in-car VR gaming experience that syncs up with the movement of your vehicle and can be installed into any model.
• Looking for rich, full, surround sound to drone out all that honking (Yo, chill! I’m at the final boss, gimme a sec!), and perfect your gaming experience? Harman’s turning car seats into speakers.

EV Development

Automakers revealed plenty of groundbreaking EV innovations at the show, with a focus on extending battery life and reducing charging times – hallelujah!

Notably, the push towards making EVs more affordable was a recurring theme, signaling a positive shift in the industry to broaden the consumer base for electric vehicles. 

With EV providing a new chassis for designers to play with, we also saw an emergence of some impressive customization and personalization options that we’ve not yet experienced. 

• Honda’s 0 Concepts “Saloon” and “Space-Hub” are as innovative as they are unattractive. But if you don’t care about appearances, they offer a lot of novel and environmentally conscious features. 
• Kia’s PBVs (Platform Beyond Vehicles) are on a mission to breathe new life into commercial electric vehicles, and may well turn the modular car dream into reality.
• Bye bye three-point turns. Hello, Hyundai Mobis.
• VinFast’s VF Mid-Size Truck could be the solution to an affordable EV truck.
• AC Future’s eTH (“Electric Transformer House”) is a new luxury RV that presents a modern take on the traditional camper.

Flying Cars – ‘Bout Dang Time!

We’ve all collectively been waiting for flying cars practically since cars were invented. And now, the time has come.

Well, soon, rather. The time has come…soon. The time is coming. Just, go ahead and get ready for the time.

• Hyundai and Supernal’s eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft) isn’t exactly what we imagined when it comes to flying cars; they’re really more like tiny, private helicopters. But, they still bail you out of traffic, so we’ll allow it.
• Now this is what we’re talking about, baby! Xpeng AeroHT’s flying car just may have been the coolest thing that we saw come out of CES. (Go ahead, fight us. Name something cooler.) With four retractable propeller arms much like that of a drone, someone can drive it around like a regular Lamborghini-style supercar when not zipping around the skies.

Hydrogen Progress

A lack of existing infrastructure isn’t stopping some from driving full steam ahead into advancing hydrogen-fueled vehicles. 

• Hyundai announced that hydrogen will now play a “crucial role in Hyundai’s sustainability roadmap as a clean energy source.” 
• Nikola showed one of its first U.S.-built hydrogen trucks
• Croft Motors is developing “rugged” hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Other Neato Car Things to Come Out of CES

• ‍Sony’s car, Afeela, can be steered remotely with a PS5 controller.‍
• BMW Teleoperated Parking is like having your own personal valet everywhere you go.‍
• Continental’s facial recognition technology can help to unlock and start your car.‍
• Jackery Solar Generator Mars Bot and Rooftop Tent, a solar tent system and autonomous smart-bot that roams around looking for the best spot to charge its panels for your use later.

And, Some of Our Favorite Non-Car Things:

• LG’s transparent television, the Signature OLED T.
• C Seed’s massive N1 folding TV measures 137 inches, and can collapse into the floor when not in use.
• Samsung’s bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerator, a smart fridge that can recommend recipes based on what you’ve got on hand.‍
• Ballie, a tiny yellow robot assistant that follows you around and can even project movies if you ask it nicely. Or, probably even if you don’t ask it nicely, but we’ve seen all the sci-fi flicks. It’s a good idea to be kind to the robots that live in your house.
• For your amateur ornithologist uncle, these AI binoculars from Swarovski Optik can identify over 9000 bird species on the spot.‍
• PlantPetz Smart Pot turns house plants into house guests.

Okay, now you tell us -- what did we miss? Let us know at crew@asotu.com!