Consumer Electronics Show 2017 report

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held every year in January in Las Vegas, USA, may be the place for consumer technology companies to show their latest, but it’s grown to be a crucial event for many carmakers and automotive component makers too. The 2017 show has seen participation from a large number of such companies and everything from fully autonomous cars to voice activated control systems have been shown. Here is a round-up of some of the automobile-related tech on display from companies.

BMW

BMW has brought a cockpit concept to the show, depicting the brand’s interpretation of the future of its cabin design. Dubbed the ‘i Inside Future’, the concept focuses on minimalism and features technological advances from the automaker in in-car technology, including a HoloActive Touch system that could replace the current iDrive system. BMW says that, by using reflections, the tech can create a 'free-floating display' which is operated by finger gestures and gives tactile feedback to the driver to confirm the inputs.

Faraday Future

The all-electric start-up, which had previously used the CES to showcase an all-electric hypercar concept, used this year’s show to debut its first production-ready model, the FF 91 (nine one) – a car larger than a Mercedes S-class. A Tesla-topping power output of 783kW (about 1,050hp), 608km-claimed range and 2.39sec 0-100kph time which will beat just about anything else on four wheels are just some of the standout features. The car is slated to start production in 2018, though there are reports the Chinese-backed company is in financial trouble.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

FCA has revealed an electric van concept under the Chrysler badge at CES 2017. The electric and autonomous concept, called Portal, is heavily biased towards 'millennials' and places a large focus upon the interior space's response to autonomy, with flexibility and comfort placed high on the list of priorities.

Ford

Ford is showcasing an autonomous, hybrid version of its Fusion (Mondeo in some markets) sedan to CES to demonstrate its autonomous tech. Ford claims that the tech, which will be displayed on the car, is near production-ready, as tweaks improve the effectiveness of the sensors, software and controls. It'll also be heading to the Detroit motor show later in the month. Ford also has plans to hybridise other models in its line-up, including the iconic Mustang and the F-150 pick-up.

Honda

Honda has brought the technology-packed NeuV concept to the CES. Honda calls it a ‘mobility solution’ and not a car and that should give you a hint of the NeuV’s focus. The concept comes packed with artificial intelligence which, as per the automaker, will allow humans to interact with cars in a completely different manner.

New modes of connectivity and a system designed to alleviate traffic congestion also feature on Honda’s stand, which collectively make up a ‘co-operative mobility ecosystem’ – Honda’s vision of the future, involving electric, connected, autonomous cars that communicate with their environment as well as the user’s portable technologies.

The automaker also showcased a self balancing bike.

Hyundai

A mobile display at CES is Hyundai’s demonstration of its autonomous Ioniq. The fourth variant on the Ioniq name, the concepts will drive themselves along Las Vegas Boulevard to show off their autonomous software. The tech is expected to make it into production Hyundais by the end of the decade.

The automaker has also shown a conceptual cabin developed to monitor the occupant’s health, along with managing to keep in check the negative effects often produced due to driving. The system can adjust light, sound, temperature and seat settings to enhance the atmosphere inside the cabin. 

Toyota

Toyota has taken the covers off of the Concept-i, a new futuristic concept with autonomous capabilities, which it claims has been developed to put the driver’s needs ahead of technology. Toyota’s vision of a model in 2030, the car has a powerful artificial intelligence system that monitors and communicates with the driver to keep him alert and active when behind the wheel.

Bosch

Auto components major Bosch has demonstrated an advanced concept car with voice control technology that can understand casual conversation. The car’s so called Human Machine Interface (HMI) responds to significantly more words and sentences than current voice systems, which are often limited to specific command terms, allowing passengers to control in-car features in more naturally spoken word. Additionally, the concept features car-to-car and car-to-bicycle communication technology that can help significantly reduce the chances of an impact with either vehicle type.

Harman

Technology company Harman is demonstrating anti-hacking software live at the Consumer Electronics Show – an industry-first in the automotive technology security sector, according to the firm. The live hack, which Harman claims will be the first live demonstration of a car cyber hack and its subsequent solution, uses new software which can be retrofitted without the addition of new hardware. Harman is also showing its range of in-car technologies at CES, including an aftermarket heads-up display, a new ‘on-the-go’ portable infotainment head unit for small cars and its next generation of audio systems, as well as autonomous technologies.