Mobility remained one of the highlights of CES 2024. This year, more companies focused on autonomous driving, generative AI, EV charging, flying cars, drones, sensors, and micromobility joined the trade show.
To summarize the four key automotive technology trends at CES 2024: broader electrification of mobility, integration of AI into vehicle technology, hydrogen fuel cell EVs, and the integration of software and hardware in vehicle interior design.
Electrification will spread beyond cars
Reinforcing CES' status as an important auto show, many automakers displayed their vehicles. tech crunch Mercedes-Benz, Sony, Honda, Kia Motors and other automakers reportedly unveiled concept cars and production cars at the event.
Motorcycles, bicycles, ships, and aircraft are also being electrified. For example, Segway displayed his two electric scooters and an electric bicycle. There was also a demo of a go-kart that could be connected to a PC to play a racing car game.
California-based Pivotal now allows customers to pre-order its Helix personal electric aircraft on-site. Hyundai Motor Group's Supernal exhibited an electric vertical takeoff and landing system (eVTOL) that will soon go into mass production. Additionally, a subsidiary of China-based Xpeng announced that it will begin delivering its first flying car at the end of 2025.
Generative AI enables automotive technology
CES 2024 showed how AI is being incorporated into cars, e-bikes, and other mobility solutions. Many companies have demonstrated how AI can be integrated into software to enable more advanced technologies such as car sensors, in-vehicle voice assistants, and self-driving systems.
Several automakers, including BMW, have adopted ChatGPT. US-based software company Cerence has partnered with Volkswagen. Volkswagen plans to introduce an AI-enabled chatbot with IDA voice assistant to all vehicle models.
BMW and Amazon showcased generative AI technology supported by Alexa LLM. This technology allows in-vehicle voice assistants to communicate with users more like humans.
Hydrogen fuel cell remaining on stage
Although the commercialization of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is slower than that of battery EVs, there is a possibility that various hydrogen fuel EVs will be exhibited at CES 2024.
Hyundai spoke at CES about the development of hydrogen fuel cells and its vision for alternative fuels. Nikola exhibited the first fuel cell truck in the United States and has begun deliveries to customers. Bosch, which already manufactures hydrogen fuel cells, has announced that it will manufacture hydrogen engines.
Software and hardware integration for vehicle interior space
Car manufacturers and suppliers have demonstrated their vision for car interior design. Many of them have developed in-vehicle touch panels, including the popular curved screens.
Eye-tracking technology was also a focus. Harman's Ready Care system can detect whether a driver is distracted and vital information such as heart rate and breathing rate. Bosch introduced a solution that combines eye-tracking technology to provide information about tourist attractions and restaurants visited.
Mercedes-Benz brought the entire system to CES 2024, including an upgraded voice assistant, games, immersive audio and applications developed by Sound Drive. This application smartly connects the accelerator, brakes and drive wheels to his multitrack mixer and decides which songs to play in the car.
