As the curtain closes on another CES, it’s clear that transportation remains a dominant force on the world’s largest tech stage. Amid the bustling crowds and dazzling booths, it wasn’t just electric cars that caught our attention at CES 2024.
A diverse range of companies and startups congregated at the event, showcasing their innovations in automated driving, EV charging, software (specifically AI), sensors, aviation, boats, drones, micromobility, and more. And as luck would have it, TechCrunch was also in attendance, keen to uncover the latest trends and technologies in this ever-evolving industry.
Curious to know what caught our eye at CES 2024? Here are some of the top tech themes that stood out to us:
- Everything electric
While the “Big Three” U.S. automakers – GM, Ford, and Stellantis – may not have had the most eye-catching displays or product reveals, numerous other competitors joined forces to establish CES as a major auto show. Well-known brands such as Honda, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Sony, Turkey’s Togg, and Vinfast all presented their electric concepts and production cars at the event.
But it wasn’t just established automakers that made a splash at CES 2024. The electrification of transportation has spread to every corner of the industry, from electric motorcycles and e-bikes to go-karts, big rigs, boats, and even aircraft.
For instance, Segway unveiled two electric scooters – the E2 Pro and Superscooter ST1 – as well as two e-bikes called the Segway Xafari and Segway Xyber. Not to be outdone, they also showcased their Segway GoKart Pro 2, which can be connected to a PC for high-speed gaming – a modern twist on the classic go-kart experience.
Meanwhile, startups were out in full force, making appearances at various CES-related events like Pepcom and Unveiled. Land Energy from Cleveland, Ohio, wowed with their sporty e-bike that boasts a swappable battery, while Verge Motorcycles from Finland displayed their Verge TS Ultra – an electric motorcycle with a futuristic hubless ring design, advanced driver assist technology, and a powerful powertrain producing 201 horsepower and 885 pound-feet of torque. In Eureka Park, where hundreds of startups set up shop, the electric trend continued. One startup that caught our attention was Solar Buggy, with their innovative electric urban mobility vehicle resembling an enclosed golf cart.
Electric aircraft and drones also made a prominent appearance at CES 2024. Pivotal opened up online orders for their personal electric aircraft – the Helix – while autonomous on-demand drone companies Zipline and Wing secured a massive deal with retail giant Walmart. Hyundai’s advanced air mobility unit, Supernal, unveiled their production-intent electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, while Xpeng Aeroht – a subsidiary of Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng Motors – unveiled a new concept and announced that their Land Aircraft Carrier would be available for delivery in late 2025.
With such a strong presence of electric vehicles, it’s no surprise that EV charging companies also made a significant showing at CES 2024. In addition to the more well-known charging infrastructure companies, we also came across startups specializing in EV charging software and others showcasing innovative approaches such as WiTricity’s wireless charging technology.
- Generative AI
As we stepped foot onto the show floor, the TechCrunch team predicted that AI would dominate CES 2024 – and we weren’t wrong. It seemed like every booth boasted some form of artificial intelligence, including within the transportation industry, from cars and e-bikes to scooters and electric aviation.
There were plenty of companies promoting their AI capabilities, although there were also some questionable “vaporware” claims. Nevertheless, many companies demonstrated how their software is incorporating AI to deliver more capable products, such as vehicle sensors, voice assistants, and autonomous driving systems.
A particular buzz surrounded generative AI, specifically ChatGPT. This AI-powered chatbot utilizes large deep learning models trained on vast datasets. We checked out two ChatGPT demos, one in collaboration with BMW and another with software company Cerence and Volkswagen.
In fact, Volkswagen announced their plans to incorporate an AI-powered chatbot into all their models equipped with their IDA voice assistant. Meanwhile, BMW and Amazon showcased a development project utilizing generative AI, powered by the Alexa LLM, to enhance the automaker’s voice assistant and provide information in a more conversational, human-like manner.
- Hydrogen
Although hydrogen power is nothing new, it has taken a backseat recently to traditional battery electric vehicles. However, at CES 2024, it was hard to ignore the numerous hydrogen-powered vehicles on display.
Hyundai, known for their growing portfolio of battery-powered electric vehicles, shifted the focus to hydrogen fuel cells and their vision for alternative fuel. Nikola finally revealed one of their first U.S.-built hydrogen trucks, which is currently being shipped to customers. Bosch, who already produces hydrogen fuel cells (such as the one used by Nikola), announced their plans to create an engine capable of combusting hydrogen. Truck manufacturer PACCAR also unveiled a hydrogen-powered truck.
We also encountered several other hydrogen-focused startups at CES 2024, keen to showcase their innovations to media, potential investors, and industry professionals. One of these was Croft Motors, who are developing “rugged” hydrogen-powered vehicles – starting with a three-row, prototype SUV with an anticipated driving range of 1,000 miles.
- In-cabin hardware meets software
The inside of the car received plenty of attention at CES 2024, with automakers, suppliers, and startups all presenting their visions for the future of in-car technology. Of course, there were plenty of touchscreens, with the curved design being particularly popular.
But the technology doesn’t stop there – in-car tech has extended far beyond touchscreens into areas such as safety, health assessments, and entertainment. Eye-tracking technology was present in abundance, with Harman unveiling their branded Ready Care system, which measures a driver’s eye activity, cognitive load, and vital signs to determine their focus and attention on the road ahead.
We also saw how traditional safety hardware, such as cameras and other sensors, is now being utilized for more comfort-focused services. Bosch demonstrated how their eye-tracking technology can identify points of interest during your drive and provide relevant information accordingly. Meanwhile, Mercedes presented a complete in-car package, consisting of an upgraded voice assistant, in-car gaming, immersive audio, and an app developed by will.i.am’s new company Sound Drive. This app connects the throttle, brakes, and steering to an intelligent multichannel mixer, influencing the songs playing in the car.
From my perspective, it’s clear that companies recognize drivers and passengers as a “captive audience,” so to speak. Everyone is working towards bringing the technology we have on our phones and in our homes into the car, creating a seamless and highly advanced driving experience.
