Major automakers and tier-1 suppliers have been displaying their latest technologies at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The CES show is increasingly a key counterpoint to the upcoming North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) show, with OEMs and suppliers allowed to focus exclusively on new technologies at the event.
In addition to upcoming tech likely to be included in the next generation of vehicles—a mix of autonomous driving, connected-car, electric vehicle (EV) charging technologies—the show also featured future vehicle interfaces as these OEMs try and predict what the personal transport paradigm will look like in the long-term. In-car technology will increasingly become a key differentiator for premium brands as we move towards fully connected and driverless cars and it is vital that the likes of Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi invest in technologies that will serve the needs of their customers and enhance their image as the world's three leading volume premium carmakers.
However, the key challenge to OEMs and legislators will be how to integrate early autonomous driving technology with traditional vehicles and this challenge will not be easy to overcome, as witnessed by legislators in California struggling to set regulations for such vehicles.
Here’s a roundup of announcements from the major OEMs and suppliers at the event:
Visteon showcased a connectivity gateway for connected car solutions. The 4G-compatible wireless gateway provides a secure and reliable advanced connection to enhance the driving experience of drivers and passengers. It manages a complex network of cellular, Wi-Fi, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) inside and outside of the vehicle to provide seamless connectivity when mobile. According to Visteon, robust vehicle communication is essential in ensuring reliable connectivity that can keep pace with advances in 4G long-term evolution (LTE), Wi-Fi, and vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X) developments.
Bosch showcased its automated driving solutions, driver assistance and braking systems. Assistance systems are a step towards automated driving and Bosch is working on highly automated driving, in which there is no need for drivers to constantly monitor the vehicle. Bosch expects to generate sales of 1 billion euros in 2016 from these systems. One such systems is iBooster, an electromechanical brake booster, which is necessary for automated driving as a fallback option in case of brake failure. Both iBooster and the electronic stability program (ESP) braking control system can brake the car independently of each other. The brake booster can build up brake pressure independently, and three times faster than an ESP system
Continental demonstrated new features in its electronic horizon (eHorizon) called "dynamic eHorizon". The eHorizon uses map data to adjust to upcoming routes, actively reducing fuel consumption. Dynamic eHorizon is connected to HERE location cloud with real time digital maps and IBM connected car cloud. The product takes into account events such as weather, accidents, or traffic jams. Also on display is curved OLED Touch Display, which allows car manufacturers to seamlessly integrate the display, in the centre console. Continental's environment sensors, used in cameras, radar and lidar, are also on display.
Valeo showed new products, including Mobius adaptive information display and InBlue smartphone and smartwatch virtual-key. InBlue communicates with the vehicle through a virtual key stored in a smartphone or smartwatch via the secure InBlue platform. The new product also enables secure vehicle sharing, remote parking and access to various vehicle data such as tire pressure, fuel level and last location. InBlue can also virtually transmit the vehicle key to another person, making it easy to share the vehicle with someone else. The company said InBlue could be in vehicles in 2016. Bottom of Form
Mercedes-Benz showcased its F 015 Luxury in Motion concept self-driving luxury sedan. It is a long-term concept vehicle designed to preview what a self-driving premium limousine may look like by 2030. The far-sighted and long-term vision proposed by the F 015 Luxury in Motion is further emphasised by the concept's powertrain, which uses a plug-in hydrogen fuel cell and two electric motors developing a combined 268 bhp for zero local emissions propulsion. The F015 is capable of covering the 0-62mph sprint in a theoretical 6.7sec and has a claimed range of 684 miles according to Mercedes-Benz's claims. The concept has extremely futuristic styling which marries form and function, with the model majoring on interior space while still retaining a futuristic and sleek appearance. Maximising interior space is key to using the model's other technologies including the autonomous operating system and a so-called "digital activity space". This effectively turns the interior of the concept into a interactive entertainment or work space, with Mercedes very much seeing this type of vehicle in the future as a mobile office or board room.
BMW displayed a raft of complementary technologies, mainly relating to its i3 EV and i8 plug-in hybrid (P-HEV) models, some of which is already offered commercially, such as its "BMW i Home Charging Services", a home charging solution for the i3 and i8. The technology is based on the smart home-enabled BMW i Wallbox Pro system introduced last September, and will be available in 2016. BMW i Home Charging Services charges the vehicle with home-generated solar power whenever available. A solar carport supplies solar power to the BMW i Wallbox, which uses the power to charge the vehicle. If solar power is unavailable, the vehicle is automatically charged at the cheapest off-peak rates. The system has been developed jointly by BMW and Beegy, a provider for distributed energy management, based on the Beegy Software Platform.
Volkswagen's display at the CES introduced its vision for gesture control and in-car networking, demonstrated across a fleet of Golf products. In the e-Golf, VW is showing how electric cars could automatically dock to inductive charging stations as well as using the vehicle's exterior lights to confirm charge status. The company announced it will introduce the second generation of its modular infotainment platform (MIB II) in the US, and that it will include MirrorLink for integrating apps and operating layout from a variety of smartphones. MIB II will also include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which will be introduced in Europe simultaneously.
Hyundai introduced its take on a whole host of systems through its Cockpit Concept. At Hyundai, an augmented-reality heads-up display (HUD) projects information in animations on the windscreen. The system is production ready and presents more information about road conditions ahead than current systems. In 3D, the system projects information, including warnings when a car is about to enter a lane, arrows to exit ramps, highlighted street signs, and other street markings, along with other information, in a visual space ahead of the driver. Hyundai linked its augmented HUD to a wearable band that vibrates with lane departure warnings. The Cockpit Concept incorporates heart-rate monitoring, driver-alertness monitoring, blind-spot and safe-follow distance warnings, advanced navigation and low-fuel level warnings, and navigation transfer from car to mobile device when walking to the final destination.
