Many automakers are heading back to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2017 in Las Vegas this week to showcase their latest and greatest tech. Once an electronics show, CES has recently turned into a major even for automakers from around the world providing the right venue to introduce their vision of the future.
In total, nine car manufacturers, 11 tier-one auto suppliers and more than 300 vehicle tech-related exhibitors will be in attendance at the massive tech conference.
BMW
The Bavarians will introduce the BMW HoloActive Touch system, an interface between the driver and vehicle that acts like a virtual touchscreen. It features a free-floating display operated by using finger gestures and confirms the commands with what the driver perceives as tactile feedback.
BMW HoloActive Touch brings together the advantages of the BMW Head-Up Display, BMW gesture control and direct touchscreen operation, and adds extra features to create a unique form of user interface.
Ford
Ford will introduce the next-generation Ford Fusion Hybrid autonomous development vehicle. This new car uses the current Ford autonomous vehicle platform, but ups the processing power with new computer hardware. Electrical controls are closer to production-ready, and adjustments to the sensor technology, including placement, allow the car to better see what’s around it. New LiDAR sensors have a sleeker design and more targeted field of vision, which enables the car to now use just two sensors rather than four, while still getting just as much data.
Ford also plans to share what’s next for SYNC, the company’s infotainment system.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz will be showcasing its technologies as well as two of its futuristic products at 2017 CES – the Concept EQ and the Vision Van. According to Daimler, the presentation of the two will be in line with the new corporate strategy of Mercedes called “CASE.”
Mercedes says CASE represents the four pillars of the company. The acronym stands for “Connected, Autonomous, Shared & Service and Electric Drive.” The Concept EQ and the Vision Van work on battery electric drive system. The technology found on the Concept EQ SUV is expected to be carried into the future cars of Mercedes.
Faraday Future
The California-based and China-backed electric car maker is not divulging any new details about their future electric, and says only that the car is a “premium” EV with “holistic design,” loads of technology and “industry leading range” thanks to LG’s super-dense batteries. The headlight, lower grille and the hood line are shown in the dark image.
Nissan
Last month, Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn dropped heavy hints of a major announcement at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. “I am not giving you advance notice of what we’ll be showing at CES in Las Vegas. I want people to go to the show,” Ghosn told reporters.
It’s speculated he will announce either the next-generation Nissan Leaf, or an all-new electric vehicle with a range exceeding 200 miles per charge.
Toyota
The US division of Toyota, not TMC itself, will be presenting a concept vehicle called UX at the show, as well as introducing what it calls a “next generation framework for connected vehicles and telematics systems”. The company is also expected to share its plans for the connected vehicles and telematics systems.
Fiat Chrysler
FCA will show off its all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica hybrid. In December, FCA announced it was building 100 special models of the new Pacifica for Waymo, which was formerly known as Google’s self-driving car project. These vehicles, though, have Waymo’s self-driving tech built into them so they can be used in a test fleet setting.
The new hybrid gets 30 miles of all-electric range and 530 miles of total range.
FCA will also show off its fourth-generation car connectivity system, Uconnect.
Hyundai
Hyundai will introduce a self-driving version of its new Ioniq sedan and will show off these research vehicles during CES. With this platform, Hyundai will show CES crowds that it is investing in the future.
Honda
Honda explores a high-tech edge with the NeuV concept car it will show during CES. NeuV takes a look at what a commuter car of the near future might look like. The boxy shape suggests function over form, with a comfortable, computer-infused interior designed to react to occupants. Honda suggests that the NeuV would address traffic congestion, possibly through vehicle-to-vehicle communication systems.
