CES 2024 Showcases Self-Driving Vehicle Advancements

CES has always been a perfect showcase for developments in automotive tech and autonomous driving, and 2024’s event promises to be no exception.

While this year’s show, held in Las Vegas Jan. 9-12, might reflect a more restrained, realistic outlook than was the case in the autonomous vehicle (AV) and electric vehicle (EV) arena five or six years ago, there is still much to look forward to.

Fewer of the major automakers than we have been accustomed to will be present, but plenty of big names will still be in attendance.

Japan’s Honda is likely to grab headlines with the announcement of a new “global EV series,” although to what extent it incorporates autonomous driving remains to be seen. 

The company’s execs can also expect some questions about their plans to develop self-driving taxis for Japan with Cruise, given the General Motors subsidiary’s recent problems.

And Honda’s collaboration with Sony, Afeela – which presented a sedan with self-driving capability at CES last year – will also be present, although what it intends to show is still to be announced.

Korean giant Kia has made a lot of noise about its PBVs – purpose-built vehicles – over the past couple of years, which have promised varying degrees of autonomy. 

Now we’re told PBV is being redefined as a “platform beyond vehicle.”  Whatever it stands for, the PBV line-up will incorporate “fit for purpose EVs with advanced software solutions” and five concepts are promised for CES, including the first model scheduled for mass-production in 2025.

Related:GM, Honda Launching Driverless Cruise Origin Taxi in Tokyo

Sister company, Hyundai, meanwhile, is to outline its future vision for the use of software and artificial intelligence in vehicles across the entire Hyundai group, which as well as Kia also includes Genesis.

There will be plenty of eyes on Mercedes, as it showcases its new AI-powered MBUX.CES virtual assistant hailed as “the next major step” toward its vision of a personalized, connected driving experience.

AI is also at the heart of German rival Volkswagen’s CES offering, with the company set to reveal what to expect from a new partnership with Cerence.

Away from automakers, Kodiak Robotics, which has been making major strides in the autonomous trucking world, is promising a major reveal and announcement.

California start-up Pebble will be showcasing its Pebble Flow, hailed as the “world’s first self-propelled travel trailer featuring automated hitching and remote maneuvering capabilities.”

And from South Korea, Doosan Bobcat – which already has an autonomous loader and mower in its armory – is promising a new “electric AI-driven machine”, although again, details are thin at this stage.

Related:Honda, Sony Reveal Self-Driving Afeela EV at CES 2023

Expect some interesting innovations, too, from the world’s leading auto suppliers.

Germany’s Continental has a diverse array of technologies to talk about, among which will be its Smart Cockpit High-Performance Computer (HPC), in collaboration with Google Cloud, and its use of generative AI. There will also be updates on its Radar Vision Parking Solution, which enables Level 4 autonomous parking, and the Full Stack Automated Driving Solution it is developing with California’s Ambarella.

Hyundai Mobis is promising “20 new mobility technologies” but arguably the most intriguing element of its presentation will be the display of a new vehicle featuring its e-Corner system, previously seen on a Hyundai Ioniq 5. The tech allows all four wheels to rotate 90 degrees together or separately and facilitates crab walking and other maneuvers that will ultimately assist autonomous driving. 

And the lidar big guns will be out in force, too. Valeo is offering visitors the opportunity to experience its AI-based perception software to see how it helps classify objects identified by lidar, as well as demonstrating teleoperation, with a BMW Series IX on the BMW stand set to be controlled from the Valeo booth.

Related:Kia Reveals More About Its Self-Driving Future

China’s Robosense, meanwhile, is set to unveil the latest of its M Platform sensors.

Of course, as is often the case, there may be one or two CES surprises too – and IoT World Today will be with you every step of the way to keep you updated with the latest news.