The future of transportation tech that stood out at CES 2024

Another CES has passed, and transportation remains one of the core players on one of the world’s largest tech stages. It’s not just electric vehicles that are grabbing our attention at CES 2024.

There are companies and startups focused on autonomous driving, electric vehicle charging, software (more specifically artificial intelligence), sensors, aviation, shipping, drones, micromobility—you name it. over there. Luckily, so does TechCrunch.

Here are some of the compelling tech themes at CES 2024.

everything is electric

Image Source: Kirsten Korosek

The big three U.S. automakers — General Motors, Ford and Stellantis — may not have eye-catching displays and product displays, but many other automakers are on hand to help solidify CES as a major auto show. Honda, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Sony, Turkey’s Togg and Vinfast all showed off electric concept and production vehicles at the event.

It’s not just large established automakers participating in CES 2024. Electrification has penetrated every corner of transportation, from motorcycles and e-bikes to go-karts, big drills, ships and aircraft.

For example, Segway showed off two electric scooters, the E2 Pro and Superscooter ST1, two electric bikes called the Segway Xafari and the Segway Xyber, and a Segway GoKart Pro 2 Forza that can be connected to a PC and used to play racing games.

Startups are also going all out and can be seen at various CES-related events such as Pepcom and Unveiled. Cleveland, Ohio-based startup Land Energy is back with a sporty e-bike with swappable batteries, while Finland’s Verge Motorcycles showed off its Verge TS Ultra, an electric motorcycle with a hub-less design. Advanced driver-assist technologies and a powertrain produce an eye-popping 201 horsepower and 885 pound-feet of torque. In Eureka Park, where hundreds of startups have set up shop, electrification has emerged. Solar Buggy is a new startup that caught my eye, developing an electric urban mobility vehicle that looks like an enclosed golf cart.

Image Source: Kirsten Korosek

And, of course, there are electric planes and drones. On the startup front, Pivotal opened up online orders for its personal electric aircraft Helix, while autonomous on-demand drone companies Zipline and Wing struck big deals with Walmart. Hyundai Motor’s advanced air mobility unit Supernal showed off its soon-to-be mass-produced electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, while Xpeng Aeroht, a subsidiary of Chinese electric carmaker Xpeng Motors, showed off a new concept and announced its land-based aircraft carrier will be launched in 2025 Deliveries will begin at the end of the year.

With so many electric vehicles out there, it probably won’t surprise people to learn that EV charging companies also exist in abundance. In addition to the better-known charging infrastructure companies, we also found startups focused on EV charging software and those demonstrating novel approaches such as WiTricity wireless charging technology.

generative artificial intelligence

Image Source: Volkswagen

Before setting foot on the show floor, TechCrunch staff predicted that artificial intelligence would dominate CES 2024. We are not wrong. Artificial intelligence is everywhere, including in transportation, from cars and e-bikes to scooters and electric aviation.

There are many companies touting artificial intelligence. While it’s true that there’s plenty of software on the vapor, many companies are demonstrating how software is increasingly incorporating artificial intelligence to deliver (hopefully) more capable products, including vehicle sensors, car voice assistants, and self-driving systems.

There’s also a lot of talk about generative AI, and more specifically ChatGPT, an AI-powered chatbot that works by using large deep learning models trained on massive data sets. I checked out two ChatGPT demos: one with BMW and another with software company Cerence and Volkswagen.

Volkswagen has announced plans to add an artificial intelligence chatbot to all Volkswagen models equipped with IDA voice assistant.

同時，寶馬和合作夥伴亞馬遜展示了一個開發項目，該項目使用由Alexa LLM 提供支援的生成式人工智慧，為汽車製造商的語音助理提供更強大的功能，並以更人性化、對話的方式傳遞message.

hydrogen

Hyundai Motor Company President and CEO Jaehoon Chang (center) and Hyundai Motor Company Senior Vice President and Head of Battery Development and Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Development Chang Hwan Kim at CES 2024. Image Source: Getty Images via Bloomberg

Hydrogen power is not new, but lately it has fallen behind more traditional battery electric vehicles. Don’t tell anyone at CES 2024, though, because this year’s showrooms will be filled with hydrogen-powered vehicles of all sizes.

Hyundai, which has a growing portfolio of battery-powered electric vehicles, came to CES to talk about hydrogen fuel cells and its vision for alternative fuels. Nikola finally showed off its first U.S.-made hydrogen truck, which has started shipping to customers, and Bosch, which already produces hydrogen fuel cells (like the ones Nikola uses in its trucks), announced it will produce one An engine that can burn hydrogen. Truck manufacturer PACCAR also demonstrated a hydrogen-powered truck.

We also met other hydrogen-focused startups who were meeting with media, potential investors and industry figures in the halls. Croft Motors is one we came across. The startup is developing “rugged” hydrogen-powered vehicles, starting with a three-row SUV prototype “with an estimated range of 1,000 miles.”

The combination of hardware and software in the car

Harman showcased its ReadyCare product at CES 2024. Image Source:Kirsten Korosek

Automakers, automotive suppliers and even some startups have unveiled their visions for vehicle interiors. Yes, there’s a lot of touchscreen, including the popular curved design.

In-vehicle technology extends far beyond this into areas of safety, health assessment and entertainment. Eye-tracking technology is everywhere. For example, Harman showed off its brand’s Ready Care system, which measures a driver’s eye activity, cognitive load and vital signs to determine how much attention is being paid to the road ahead.

Many companies are also showing how hardware such as cameras and other sensors that were once used for security are now being used for other, more comfort-focused services. Bosch shows how eye-tracking technology can be used while driving to find out where you are looking at points of interest, and the car can provide contextual information.

Meanwhile, Mercedes showed off a suite of features that combine to create a complete experience for drivers and passengers, including an upgraded voice assistant, in-car gaming, immersive audio and a new company by will.i.am The app developed by Sound Drive matches the accelerator, brake and steering systems with a smart multi-channel mixer to influence the songs played in the car.

My conclusion: Suffice it to say, companies understand that drivers and passengers are the audience they are attracted to. They’re all looking at how to bring all the technology we have in our phones and homes into cars.