During the CES show in January, more than 141,000 attendees had an opportunity to discover global innovations in technology. This year, there were more than 4,500 exhibitors at the Las Vegas, NV, event. Highlights included all facets of future mobility, such as smart transportation, electric vehicles (EVs) and charging options, software-defined and autonomous vehicle technology and artificial intelligence (AI).
“CES is where innovation comes to life,” said Gary Shapiro, CEO and vice chair of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®, the owner and producer of CES.
“From groundbreaking innovations that improve lives to transformative ideas that redefine industries, CES is a celebration of the art of the possible, showcasing how technology enriches our world and inspires a brighter future for all,” added Kinsey Fabrizio, president of CTA.
Several OEMs made announcements and presented during the show. Martin Lundstedt, Volvo’s president and CEO, discussed the company’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 and the importance of strategic partnerships and systemic collaboration.
BMW shared insights on the company’s upcoming product launches, Panoramic iDrive, and partnerships.
Sony Honda Mobility unveiled the AFEELA 1. The company will begin accepting orders for the EV this year.
Chinese automaker Geely unveiled its “Full-Domain AI for Smart Vehicles” technology system. The AI developments built on this system include an end-to-end large voice model, AI digital chassis, smart cockpit and intelligent driving technology.
Tekedra Mawakana, co-CEO of Waymo, spoke with Bloomberg Technology’s Ed Ludlow about the company’s progress in developing its self-driving technology, Waymo Driver. Mawakana talked about safety and the expansion of its autonomous ride-hailing service. The company also showcased advancements in technology.
Autobody News reached out to some of the CES exhibitors to learn what they showcased during the show and future trends.
Blink Charging
Blink Charging displayed three EV charging stations: Series 7 ISO, Series 9 and the EQ 200.
The company offers Level 2 chargers, which are known to be less expensive and easier to install, and DC chargers, which charge more quickly.
“With 90% of EV chargers being Level 2, they stand as the optimal choice for reliable, day-to-day charging,” explained Mike Battaglia, Blink’s president and CEO. “For EV drivers who don’t live in a single-family home, L2 chargers have become increasingly popular, especially at multi-unit properties and public spaces such as parks, shopping centers and parking facilities.”
Level 2 chargers facilitate charging battery electric vehicles (BEVs) to 80% in four to 10 hours and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in one to two hours.
According to McKinsey & Company, by 2030, the U.S. is projected to have more than 28 million chargers, up from just over 4 million today.
“Globally, the market is expected to grow at about 25% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) through 2030, requiring an investment of around $260 billion,” noted Battaglia.
Blink’s mission is to drive the energy transition forward through innovation in EV charging solutions and constant enhancements to the EV driver experience. Battaglia said the company is an advocate for incentives that foster private-sector participation in the growing domestic EV industry.
“The transition to EVs must benefit the environment as well as the economy,” he shared. “We will continue to advocate for policies that advance this vision — policies that align with our goals of fostering innovation, reducing emissions, boosting energy independence, and creating high-quality jobs in the U.S.”
HERE
HERE Technologies, a location data and technology company, unveiled the HERE AI Assistant. The AI-powered intelligent guidance assistant leverages multiple Generative AI Large Language Models (LLMs) to deliver natural language-powered, location-aware guidance for software-defined vehicles and transportation companies.
HERE AI Assistant.
“By integrating advanced natural language AI with HERE’s industry-leading mapping and location technology, the HERE AI Assistant transforms how users interact with vehicle navigation systems,” said Denise Doyle, chief product officer of HERE Technologies. “This solution delivers personalized, real-time insights, enabling smarter route planning, enhanced safety features and seamless adaptability to changing conditions.”
Doyle said the AI-powered capabilities are tailored for the automotive industry as it builds software-defined, connected, electric and automated vehicle systems. HERE AI Assistant will also be available for logistics and fleet managers to enhance driver safety, route optimization and improved estimated time of arrival (ETA) calculations.
HERE AI Assistant can personalize travel plans based on requests, driving habits, preferences and real-time conditions. For example, a family can request landmarks during a road trip while including customized stops at rest areas, gas stations and restaurants. Other key features include solving complex travel requests and delivering intelligent EV routing to find charging locations.
Upcoming versions of the HERE AI Assistant are expected to integrate topology and topography map layers to enhance vehicle safety systems.
By providing precise map data, Doyle said these systems can support Advanced Drive Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA), offering real-time alerts, in natural language, about speed limits and dangerous conditions to improve driver awareness and safety.
The HERE AI Assistant also enables users to contribute to the HERE map to ensure it remains current. For example, users can report temporary speed limit information or events such as closed roads and construction zones.
iNAGO
iNAGO showcased the company’s key products for the automotive industry, including the netpeople assistant platform 2.0, the netpeople automotive assistant and MUTUALISM.
netpeople assistant platform 2.0 is a conversational assistant platform based on natural language interaction and generative AI. Ron DiCarlantonio, founder and president of iNAGO Inc.,explained it is highly accurate compared to generic models and provides companies with full control over their content, data and experience.
netpeople Automotive Assistant combines owner’s manual information with feature control, deep controller area network (CAN) data integration, personalization and third-party integration, which DiCarlantonio said allows OEMs to deliver accurate and superior user experiences.
MUTUALISM is an intelligent cockpit platform based on open standards that allows technology companies to work together to create the next-generation cockpit for the automotive and mobility industries.
“iNAGO provides a driving experience that is simple, smart, safe and fun,” explained DiCarlantonio. “We do this by providing vehicles with an intelligent assistant that is deeply integrated into the car to provide drivers and passengers a natural experience.”
He compared the intelligent assistants to a version of ChatGPT that is integrated into the vehicle to provide personalized support and services.
“Our goal is to allow these automotive intelligent assistants to bridge the gap between consumers, OEMs and repair professionals,” explained DiCarlantonio. “The assistants can help users through a collision and guide them through the process of emergency services and repair.”
Indy Autonomous Challenge
One of the highlights during CES was a multi-car autonomous race coordinated by the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC), a nonprofit organization based in Indianapolis, IN. Dedicated to advancing autonomous technologies through high-speed racing, IAC organizes competitions among university-affiliated teams worldwide, challenging them to program AI drivers to pilot fully autonomous racecars.
Driverless cars race as part of the Indy Autonomous Challenge.
Paul Mitchell, president and CEO of IAC, said the event marked a major milestone in the evolution of physical AI and autonomous racing. Four IAC AV-24 fully autonomous racecars, piloted by AI drivers from top global university teams, competed in a 20-lap race.
It ended in a side-by-side finish, with UNIMORE Racing crossing the finish line less than three-tenths of a second faster than Cavalier Autonomous Racing.
“Since our first race in 2021, the IAC and our university teams have been making history with the world’s fastest autonomous racecars, from setting speed records to introducing the world to head-to-head autonomous racing,” said Mitchell. “But our goal has always been multi-agent racing, so being the first to have all our AI drivers complete a race and do so with five overtakes, no accidents and a nose-to-nose finish is a testament to the progress of the IAC’s global ecosystem of highly talented university researchers, industry partners and government supporters.”
IAC also announced Aidoptation, a commercial spinout headquartered in Belgium, focused on leveraging the IAC’s work in high-speed mobility and autonomous systems. Mitchell said the venture is poised to bridge the gap between the IAC’s advancements on the racetrack and their applications in industries like autonomous vehicles, robotics and high-speed mobility.
At the show, IAC displayed the IAC AV-24, which it describes as the world’s fastest autonomous racecar. In addition, the organization hosted conference sessions, including How to Build Physical AI for Mobility and Physical AI: Moving from Bits to Atoms. Mitchell said the sessions provided insights into the future of physical AI, underscoring the potential of this technology.
Oshkosh Corporation
Oshkosh Corporation, making its debut at CES, showcased technology for “everyday heroes,” such as firefighters, soldiers, postal carriers, construction and airport tarmac workers, and the communities they serve.
The company’s products included an all-electric refuse and recycling front-loader vehicle, an autonomous robot designed for on-demand refuse collection to help manage weekly chores, and an AI-enabled Collision Avoidance Mitigation System (CAMS) for fire and emergency vehicles to provide critical advance notice of an impending collision to first responders. The company also offers self-driving vehicles and connected solutions like iOPS® and ClearSky Smart Fleet™ technologies to improve operations at airports and job sites.
“Technology is only as valuable as the positive impact it has on our lives and within our communities,” said John Pfeifer, president and CEO of Oshkosh Corporation. “Oshkosh works closely with customers to design and develop solutions for difficult and challenging jobs — from protecting firefighters to reducing pollution to keeping workers safe at heights and even more routine tasks such as performing weekly chores.”
He said the company’s innovations use AI, autonomy, connectivity and electrification to support a safe, productive, quiet and clean future.
RTI
RTI showcased its product for autonomous vehicles, RTI Connext Drive. Connext Drive is a connectivity framework for software-defined vehicles (SDVs) that enables data sharing across complex systems. Thomas Bloor, director of automotive business, said it is used by more than 25 OEMs.
“The automotive industry stands at a pivotal moment, facing the dual challenges of a software-defined future shaped by surging technology complexity and the transition to a central computer model,” explained Bloor. “RTI Connext Drive simplifies, scales and streamlines development for SDVs as it integrates complex software modules into new zonal and central computer hardware for seamless data sharing across systems.”
Bloor said OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers face several challenges in transitioning to software-defined vehicles, including complex software integration, scalability demands and heightened cybersecurity risks.
“Managing diverse software components and ensuring real-time performance require adopting standards-based frameworks like Connext Drive to streamline communication and enable reliable, scalable architectures,” noted Bloor. “The shift also accelerates innovation cycles, requiring agile development practices and modular platforms to deliver updates and new features quickly.”
Integrating modern software with legacy systems and addressing resource constraints further complicates the transition, according to Bloor, but middleware solutions and strategic partnerships can help bridge the gap.
“By leveraging proven technologies and industry expertise, OEMs and suppliers can overcome these challenges and thrive in the evolving automotive landscape,” Bloor added.
He said that collaboration among OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers and technology providers is essential for developing shared frameworks, tools and best practices that reduce fragmentation and accelerate innovation.
“Consistent safety certifications, robust cybersecurity standards and regulatory alignment across regions can help the industry build a cohesive foundation for advancing software-defined and autonomous vehicles, driving innovation while ensuring reliability, safety and compatibility,” said Bloor.
Sheeva.AI
This is the third year Sheeva.AI has attended CES. The company provides vehicle location-based services and has developed an in-car payments and commerce platform called SheevaConnect™.
Evgeny Klochikhin, founder and CEO of Sheeva.AI, said SheevaConnect™ can identify and activate the charger and initiate a charging session by touching the car screen, using the company’s patented precise location technology and cloud-based platform.
Two beneficiaries of the SheevaConnect™ platform, according to Klochikhin, are car dealers and repair shops.
“Because our technology is integrated inside the car, we can help drivers get to the nearest dealership or repair center when they have a problem without seeking alternatives,” he explained.
Direct integration with the appointments API allows users to schedule a visit inside the car and automatic payments via Sheeva’s embedded digital wallet facilitate the transaction and driver experience at the repair shop or dealership after the service is completed.
Sheeva.AI made two announcements during CES.
The first is the company’s partnership with the global automotive supplier AISIN Corp. to provide customers of their Location-Based Services platform (LBS-SDK) with payments and services within their In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) systems.
The in-vehicle navigation platform allows drivers to activate and pay for many goods and services, such as gas, parking and EV charging, by tapping their vehicle’s screen.
The company is in production with Stellantis, and the goal is for the SheevaConnect™ platform to be included in a million cars by the end of 2025.
Sheeva.AI also announced its partnership with EV Connect, allowing EV drivers to activate and pay for charging sessions at more than 50,000 chargers across North America.
Klochikhin said EV charging is a challenge to the broader adoption of EVs and the automotive industry is seeking solutions to facilitate the charging process and make it faster and smoother. “Sheeva’s partnership with EV Connect can already deliver the same seamless experience today,” he said.
VinAI
VinAI, a company that offers smart mobility solutions for the automotive industry, demonstrated various AI technologies. These included DrunkSense, MirrorSense and Touch2Park. DrunkSense is a drunk driving detection system that doesn’t require a breathalyzer, achieving 85% sensitivity, eight percentage points higher than the industry standard. MirrorSense, a CES 2024 Innovation Award Honoree, adjusts the mirrors with 10mm accuracy based on the driver’s position. Touch2Park, a recipient of the 2024 AutoTech Breakthrough Award, is a Level 2 smart parking solution.
The company also showcased its Driver Monitoring System (DMS), an advanced 360° Surround View Monitoring System, and Jelly View, a 3D transparent mode offering comprehensive exterior and undercarriage visibility.
“VinAI’s AI solutions are developed with a focus on optimizing performance on systems with limited resources,” said Vuong Cap, director of VinAI’s Smart Mobility Division. “This enables automotive manufacturers to integrate advanced technologies without requiring hardware upgrades, reducing costs and enhancing competitiveness.”
Cap said this flexible approach not only broadens the applicability of AI but also meets the growing demand for smart and safe vehicles from automakers worldwide.
VinAI said automotive manufacturers in the U.S. are under increasing pressure to enhance the safety, comfort and intelligence of their vehicles; however, providing cutting-edge AI features while maintaining competitive costs and production timelines poses a significant challenge for many OEMs.
The company is addressing these challenges with AI solutions designed to deliver safer and more comfortable driving experiences without demanding excessive resources from OEMs.
Technologies and features developed by VinAI have been integrated into numerous vehicle models by global automakers, with deployment on more than 80,000 vehicles. Cap projects they will reach more than 800,000 vehicles within the next five years.
XING Mobility
XING Mobility presented its immersion cooling battery technology for vehicles and energy storage and received a CES Innovation Award in the category of Sustainability & Energy/Power for its IMMERSIO™ XE50 Battery System. Established in 2015, the company focuses on research and development and manufacturing immersion-cooled battery solutions for electrified mobility and energy storage markets.
“Our goal is to deliver safer, more efficient and reliable battery systems by leveraging the superior efficiency of immersion cooling,” said Ida Wu, general manager of XING Mobility.
The company’s booth featured the award-winning IMMERSIO™ XE50 Battery System, Cell-to-Chassis (CTC), and Cell-to-Pack (CTP) battery systems, an MIT electric supercar Miss R, and XING Mobility’s new AI Battery Management System and energy storage.
“The immersion-cooled CTC battery system integrates the battery cells directly into the vehicle chassis, which optimizes space utilization and improves thermal management,” explained Wu. “By immersing the battery cells in a dielectric coolant, the system ensures uniform cooling, enhancing both safety and performance and bringing energy density up to 208 Wh/kg.”
She said this approach minimizes the risk of thermal runaway and extends battery life. In addition, the AI-driven Battery Management System (BMS) continuously monitors and analyzes battery performance.
“Through predictive analytics and adaptive algorithms, the BMS ensures optimal energy consumption, precise thermal control and a prolonged battery lifespan,” said Wu.
Wu said immersion cooling is becoming increasingly popular in the EV and the energy storage system (ESS) sectors and gaining traction in industries requiring high power output and sustained performance. These systems are currently being used in passenger cars, commercial vehicles and energy storage markets, where safety, efficiency and reliability are paramount.