From the usual
array of concept cars to standalone tech demos from a wide range of companies,
CES 2018 is gearing up to be a critical one for the future of automotive
technology.
Every year, the
Consumer Electronics Show sweeps Las Vegas with the best of technologies from
around the world. In recent times, car makers have risen as one of the prime
presenters at CES, as the automobile sector steadily increases its indulgence
with cutting edge technology.
Unlike previous
times, though, the amount of consumer-oriented automotive technology has
gradually risen manifold. It is this that makes CES 2018, to be held between
January 9 and 12, one of the most important and relevant auto shows, even
matching up to the standalone car shows around the world. A total of 12 companies have been
registered as presenters of self-driving technology, and still
more qualify under auto technologies and artificial intelligence. While the
entire list would be too vast to list here, we look at some of the best
upcoming technology concepts that will be presented at the Consumer Electronics
Show 2018.
Rinspeed
Snap
Rinspeed has so
far been responsible for outright futuristic dreams when it comes to
conceptualising how future cars will be like. One of its previous concepts,
the Rinspeed Oasis, put a
mobile garden that you can grow, while been capsuled around in a futuristic
hatchback pod. At CES 2018, the company is going to present its latest concept
- the Rinspeed Snap, to the world.
The Rinspeed
Snap is a modular entity, in which the car’s cabin can detach itself from its
chassis to switch between being a caravan and a mobile showroom. Needless to
say, it will be fully autonomous (one day) and fully electric powered.
Mercedes-Benz
User Experience
Dubbed MBUX, the most unique bit about this is Mercedes-Benz’s decision to overhaul its infotainment firmware starting from its base variants. Typically, most car makers introduce the best of their technologies to flagship models, from which it trickles down. The new MBUX system will replace the outgoing COMAND firmware, and present bigger displays, more touch and voice-oriented controls, and an overall modern interface in comparison to the older one. Expect it to include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for sure.
Continental
wireless micro-charging
Prime automotive supplier Continental will also be at CES 2018, presenting what it states is technology that can provide a solution to the problem of driving range in electric vehicles. While we await more details on the technology itself, the premise is that your car will be able to pick up small amounts of charge wirelessly, wherever you go. This will alleviate notions of finding specific charging stations and then waiting for long hours to refill your car.
Denso
5G-based connected cars
Denso is going to have a host of presentations at CES 2018, the most important of which will be how its 5G-based connectivity resources can be key to establishing seamless connected car networks, and how that will be key for autonomous vehicles to perform smoothly. Among the technologies to be showcased are AI-based terrain adjustments, obstacle recognition and more.
ZF
touchscreen steering wheel
ZF has been at the forefront of autonomous driving experiments, and has recently unveiled an upcoming concept steering wheel that will be on show at CES 2018. The steering wheel includes a touchscreen display at the centre, a redesigned airbag mechanism, a host of capacitive sensors and LEDs all around, thereby making the steering wheel way more multifunctional than what it already is.
Among other
presentations, expect to see swanky concept cars including Byton’s mysterious
LED-strewn concept EV, Genovation’s GXE (an all-electric Corvette), Mobileye’s
presentation on the advancement of AI in self-driving cars, Honda’s
mobility-advancing robots, and further insights on ride sharing, drones and
connected vehicle systems.
The Consumer
Electronics Show 2018 opens on January 9, 2018 and continues till January 12.
Watch this space as we build up to one of the biggest technology extravaganzas
of the year, and present the best of automotive technologies from across the
world.
Source:
