On more than 180,000 square meters of exhibition space, (almost) everything revolves around one thing: how existing technology can be connected and enhanced with AI-powered tools. From gadgets that respond to voice commands, to televisions that enhance source material in the background, to complex in-car applications, AI will play a central role. Chip makers like AMD, Intel, Nvidia, and Qualcomm, to name just the most prominent examples, play a major role this year. They all pre-announced speeches that will focus on the use of AI - the title of Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger's keynote sums it up best: "AI Everywhere" - the tech mekka of January 2024 had AI written all over.
How does AI feature in the mobility sector?
The main goal is to make mobility more accessible, environmentally friendly and efficient, developing smart mobility solutions for autonomous vehicles, advanced charging technologies and AI-based testing methods to offer sustainable transportation options. Mobility for all that protects the environment at the same time.
What does this mean concretely? Despite the flood of AI-related announcements, for me AI will ultimately depend on how these technologies can create real added value and integrate themselves into people's everyday lives. Here are two examples I particularly like this year:
Volkswagen presents a voice assistant called IDA that will use artificial intelligence (AI) from Chat GPT from the second quarter of 2024. Technology Partner Cerence Inc. supplies the Cerence Chat Pro program for this purpose. Passengers can use natural language to control vehicle functions such as air conditioning, media playback and navigation. No update is required for the introduction of ‘talking intelligence’. The program is cloud-based. All electric cars in the Volkswagen ID series from software version 4.0 will be able to use this functionality - and a few ICE cars from Volkswagen, to whom this may concern.
BMW's presence at CES 2024 is dedicated to the digital customer experience. Those patient enough to wait in the long line will be able to remotely drive a BMW iX across the Silver Lot on the show floor. Here, they can discover the potential of augmented reality glasses as a passenger and experience the power of BMW's Intelligent Personal Assistant as a vehicle expert enhanced with generative artificial intelligence. Pretty cool stuff.
Flexibility is key with the Kia Concept PV5
Kia has revealed its Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) future strategy at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Kia’s PBV business will initially be based around the introduction of an all-new, modular vehicle, previewed by the Kia Concept PV5. Today a family car, tomorrow a pickup truck, the day after tomorrow a robotaxi and then a delivery vehicle. The future vision was presented alongside a multi-phase plan with the goal of PBVs revolutionizing the mobility industry while helping to advance Hyundai Motor Group’s ambitions in robotics, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), and autonomous driving.
What I like about this concept from the Koreans: It is the smart mobility solution and the flexible approach that allows the PV5 to be used as a mobile office or as a standing pop-up store. The body can be changed as needed. In addition, Kia combines fit-for-purpose EVs with advanced software solutions based on the Hyundai Motor Group's Software-to-Everything (SDx) strategy. As a Platform Beyond Vehicle, Kia PBVs are designed to open the door to new businesses and lifestyles by redefining the concept of space through advanced, customized interiors that offer freedom and flexibility. There are also different vehicle sizes from PV 1 to 7. In a promotional video shown here at CES, the steering wheel of the PV 5 becomes a desk lamp when the driver takes a break. I really like that.
CES Innovation Award 2024 in the Vehicle Tech & Advanced Mobility product category
Continental's parking solution "Radar Vision", also known as Radar Vision Parking, was honored with the CES Innovation Award 2024 in the Vehicle Tech & Advanced Mobility product category. Continental wins the CES Innovation Award for the eighth time in a row. Impressive. By combining high-resolution surround radars with high-resolution cameras, Continental enables parking applications that require very precise measurements in close proximity to the vehicle. For example, early detection of parking spaces allows the vehicle to be parked without having to drive past the space. Since the radar units are very compact, they can be mounted behind all painted bumpers. Together with cameras, they provide a redundant, seamless 360° view around the vehicle. The Radar Vision parking solution not only replaces the ultrasonic sensors typically used for parking, but also offers improved design and performance.
Images courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Media (Cover), KIA, BMW and Continental.
