Since the late 1960s, technology companies have been flocking to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) to show off their new-fangled products, concepts and ideas.

Over the years, and thanks no doubt to the exponential growth in computing power and development in areas such as wireless and connected technology, the range of industries that now use the CES show as a means to highlight their latest gadgets and gizmos is astounding. It has grown to be the premier event on the calendar for those interested in what tech we can expect to be using across every aspect of our lives in the near future.

At the 2020 edition of CES, held at the beginning of January in Las Vegas, there were, of course, the usual suspects on show – a bewildering array of advanced computer and mobile phone tech is a given at CES – but amongst the 4500 exhibitors, you could find such diverse products as AI-powered prosthetic limbs, internet-connected microwaves with inbuilt touchscreen displays and cameras, apps with realistic digital human assistants, smart toothbrushes that will let you know if you’re cleaning your teeth properly, harnesses that double-up as health monitors for pets, smart beds that track your heart and breathing rate while you sleep . . . even a robot that can fetch toilet paper (seriously!). Astounding stuff.

Just about every industry you can think of had a presence at CES this year, and one of the most well represented was the automotive – perhaps better categorised as ‘mobility’ – industry.

In fact, CES has become something of a hotspot for automotive manufacturers (and those developing technology for the automotive industry) to show off their big ideas, and many now embrace this type of expo over more traditional motor show events – a reflection, one suspects, of the belief that the industry’s products – the vehicles they make – are as much about the computing power, the connectivity and infotainment systems within them, and their part in a greater mobility landscape, as the engines and batteries that power them.

And so it was no surprise that big players such as Audi, BMW, Daimler (Mercedes), FCA, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan and Toyota, as well as a slew of smaller manufacturers, made the trip to Las Vegas and that more than 150 vehicle tech exhibitors unveiled the latest advances for connected, self-driving and concept cars.

CES has become an important event on the automotive calendar and over the next few pages, and throughout this month’s edition, we take a look at some of the highlights and developments showcased at this year’s show.

TOYOTA TO BUILD A CITY OF THE FUTURE

If proof were needed that automotive companies were thinking of themselves more as mobility companies with an eye on the greater impact that technology can have on society, well, here’s some really interesting evidence.

Toyota revealed at CES that it plans to build a prototype city of the future on a 175-acre site at the base of Mt. Fuji in Japan.
Called the Woven City, it will, the company says, be a ‘fully connected ecosystem powered by hydrogen fuel cells’.

Envisioned as a living laboratory, the Woven City will apparently serve as a home to full-time residents and researchers who will be able to test and develop technologies such as autonomy, robotics, personal mobility, smart homes and artificial intelligence in a real-world environment.

Toyota says that building a complete city from the ground up, even on a small scale, is a unique opportunity to develop future technologies, including a digital operating system for the city’s infrastructure. With people, buildings and vehicles all connected and communicating with each other through data and sensors, Toyota will test connected Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in both the virtual and the physical states.

The company says it will extend an open invitation to collaborate with other commercial and academic partners and invite scientists and researchers from around the world to work on their own projects in this unique location.

The masterplan of the city includes the designations for street usage into three types: for faster vehicles only; for a mix of lower speed, personal mobility and pedestrians; and for a park-like promenade for pedestrians only. The street types are designed to help accelerate the testing of autonomy.

The city is planned to be fully sustainable, with buildings made mostly of wood and using traditional Japanese wood joinery, combined with robotic production methods. The roofs will be covered in solar panels and power will also be generated by hydrogen fuel cells.

Residences will be equipped with in-home robotics to assist residents and will use sensor-based AI to check occupants’ health and take care of basic needs.

To move residents through the city, only fully autonomous, zero-emission vehicles will be allowed on the main thoroughfares. Toyota e-Palettes – a vehicle that is a sort of box on wheels and designed to be scalable and customisable for a range of Mobility-as-a-Service businesses – will be used for transportation and deliveries, as well as for changeable mobile retail.

Toyota plans to populate Woven City with company employees and their families, retired couples, retailers, visiting scientists, and industry partners with a population target of 2000 people to start, with that number growing as the project evolves.

The ground-breaking for the site is planned for early 2021.

HYUNDAI VISION FOR FUTURE CITIES

WHILE Toyota was busy revealing its plans to build a city, Hyundai got in on the future-city concept too, unveiling its vision for urban mobility.

The company showcased three mobility solutions – an Urban Air Mobility (UAM), a Purpose Built Vehicle (PBV) and the Hub, a tranportation transfer facility that doubles up as a location for community activities.

The UAM concept will use Personal Air Vehicles capable of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL), and the company’s concept, designed in partnership with Uber, was shown in full at CES (see more of that on page 28).

The PBV is a bit of an eye-opener, with the box-like vehicles (something like a beefed-up Toyota e-Pallette) offering a platform for all manner of services.
PBVs can, Hyundai says, function as a restaurant, coffee shop, or even a clinic and pharmacy, in addition to being an urban shuttle. That’s interesting.

The fully electric PBV concept is highly customisable and adjustable in size from four to six metres and its interior can be personalised to individual needs by assembling modular parts. Artificial intelligence will be used for navigation and the vehicle can, Hyundai says, travel autonomously in platoon.

The third pillar of Hyundai’s mobility solution is the Hub, a facility that seems to be designed as a sort of mini airport, connecting air-based UAM and ground-based PBV.

The Hub is designed to have a skyport for the PAV on the top and docking stations on the ground for the PBV. The Hub itself can be used for pretty much any community activity – becoming a concert hall, movie theatre, museum, or whatever the community wishes to house there.

Hyundai says it plans to make smart mobility more accessible by placing Hubs throughout future cities and build a new mobility ecosystem around the UAM-PBV-Hub network.

UBER AND HYUNDAI ANNOUNCE AERIAL RIDESHARING PARTNERSHIP

Uber and Hyundai Motor Company announced a partnership to develop Uber Air Taxis for a future aerial ride-share network and unveiled a new full-scale aircraft concept at CES.

Hyundai will produce and deploy the air vehicles – known as the S-A1 – and Uber will provide airspace support services, connections to ground transportation, and customer interfaces. Both parties are collaborating on infrastructure concepts to support take-off and landing.

“Our vision of Urban Air Mobility will transform the concept of urban transportation,” said Jaiwon Shin, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai’s Urban Air Mobility (UAM) Division. “We expect UAM to vitalise urban communities and provide more quality time to people. We are confident that Uber Elevate is the right partner to make this innovative product readily available to as many customers as possible.”

The S-A1, is an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) and features:

• It is designed for a cruising speed up to 290 km/h, a cruising altitude of around 300m to 600m above ground, and to fly trips up to 100 km.
• It will be 100 per cent electric, using distributed electric propulsion, and during peak hours will require about five to seven minutes for recharging.
• Distributed electric propulsion powers multiple rotors and propellers around the airframe.
• It is designed to take off vertically, transition to wing-borne lift in cruise, and then transition back to vertical flight to land.
• will be piloted initially, but over time they will become autonomous.
• The cabin is designed with four passenger seats.

FCA AIRFLOW VISION CONCEPT

FIAT CHRYSLER made a couple of intriguing reveals at CES. One was showcasing plug-in hybrid electric vehicles – including the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, while the other was the Airflow Vision Concept, a design that highlights the company’s ideas on presenting a cutting-edge user experience.

Use experience (UX) plays a prominent role in the concept and with the connected, high-tech nature of near-future vehicles a certainty, that experience is something all car makers are putting effort into developing. In the Airflow Vision Concept’s case, multiple display screens allow the user to access information, determine how it is displayed and even share it with passengers by swiping across the display. Customisation and personalisation are key features of the UX experience.

As for the vehicle itself, there a simple, spacious interior, seating that uses a slim structure that rests on a pedestal base enhancing room and storage space, and there’s some high-tech-looking lighting business on the exterior – a prerequisite for concept vehicles these days.

BOSCH TECH

Bosch also got in on the act at CES and showcased a number of automotive-relevant tech advancements. Amongst these was a rolling chassis for EVs that demonstrated how all Bosch products for electric vehicles can be integrated with one another, and a Performance e-axle, which further increases the efficiency and power density of electrical powertrains. Other eye-catching tech included:

• Interior Monitoring: Technology based on eyelid movements, direction of gaze, and sitting position, the system detects when the driver is drowsy or looks at a smartphone and alerts the driver to critical situations. It also monitors the vehicle interior to determine how many occupants are present and where they are seated, making it possible, Bosch says, to optimise the operation of safety systems such as the airbags in an emergency. The system can also automatically activate stored personal settings such as seat position.
• Bosch IoT Shuttle: Bosch used its IoT Shuttle technology showpiece to present the solutions the company offers automakers and mobility service providers (MSPs) for the electrification, automation, connectivity, and personalisation of shuttles. Going beyond just components, the offering includes connected mobility services that give users flexibility in how they operate, manage, recharge, and maintain fleet vehicles.
• Intelligent front camera: This camera detects objects, categorises them into classes such as vehicles, pedestrians, or bicycles, and measures their movement. Bosch says the camera is also capable of interpreting what it sees to distinguish between the lane and the grass shoulder or roadside structures – even in the absence of road markings. In congested urban traffic, the camera can recognise and classify partially obscured or crossing vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists, allowing the vehicle to trigger a warning or emergency braking.
• Virtual Visor: A visor that replaces the traditional vehicle sun visor completely, the Virtual Visor links an LCD panel with a driver or occupant-monitoring camera to track the sun’s casted shadow on the driver’s face. The system uses AI to locate the driver within the image from the driver-facing camera and the algorithm analyses the driver’s view, darkening only the section of the display through which light hits the driver’s eyes. The rest of the display remains transparent.
• 3D Display: A 3D display that uses passive 3D technology to generate a three-dimensional effect for images
  and warning signals. Bosch says that allows visual information to be grasped faster than when displayed on conventional screens, reducing driver distraction.

HONDA XCELERATOR

Honda showcased a bunch of tech being jointly developed by its incubator Honda Xcelerator and start-up businesses.

Headquartered in Silicon Valley – with satellite offices in North America, Europe, Israel, China, and Japan – Honda Xcelerator was created by Honda to engage with innovators across all funding stages who seek to transform technology and business. Its focus areas are intentionally broad and include AI/Robotics, Autonomous Driving, Human Machine Interface, MicroMobility, Connected Car Services, Energy Innovation, Industrial Innovation, and Business Process Innovation.

Businesses present at CES included:

• Noonee: a German company working in the field of exoskeletons, which demonstrated the next generation of its Chairless Chair, a passive exoskeleton for employees with standing workplaces. The Chairless Chair 2.0 enables users to flexibly switch between active sitting, walking and standing – avoiding unhealthy posture and pressure on joints.
• SkelEx: a Dutch company that has developed an ergonomic device that enhances the motion of the arms and torso. The device provides adjustable lift force from 0.5 kg to 4 kg and works as an extension of the body, providing support to the arms without obstructing movement.
• UVeye: A US-based company using AI technology to change how auto makers and dealerships inspect vehicles for quality issues. The company says its systems can check chassis components, bodywork and tyres for external and mechanical flaws and detect other quality issues. The scanning, detecting and alerting process completes within seconds and can be used throughout the entire lifecycle of a vehicle.

FISKER OCEAN

It has been reported that the rather brilliant Fisker Ocean EV will be available in Australia – perhaps in 2022. And that’s good news because the Ocean looks to be a real winner.

It will be offered in a four-wheel drive configuration on all trims except for the base model. The standard four-wheel drive configuration will deliver an output of more than 225kW with an ultra-high performance version that the company says will go from 0-60mph (96.5km/h) in less than three seconds. That’s properly quick and will give the swiftest supercar and the quickest Tesla a run for their money. Fitted with an +80kWh capacity battery, range should be good for up to 500km and more than 300km of range can be delivered from 30 minutes charging. The company says that 150kW chargers can deliver up to 32km of range per minute.

The Ocean is chock full of state-of-the-art tech of course, with a heads-up display integrated into the windshield that is complemented by a large 16-inch centre touchscreen and a 9.8-inch cluster screen. Augmented reality and immersive digital experiences will offer some pretty impressive visuals, and the use of a slew of recycled materials – including regenerated nylon carpeting, and repurposed rubber waste – makes the vehicle as eco-friendly as you can find these days.

In the U.S., the Fisker Ocean has a starting price of $37,499 ($AU55,970), but with the U.S. federal tax credit applied, the price drops to $29,999 ($AU44,775). Here’s hoping it’s something similar when the vehicle hits Australian shores.

SONY SHOCKS WITH VISION S

Sony surprised a lot of folks at CES when it revealed its Vision S concept car – a seemingly near-production ready EV that showcases the company’s technology prowess in imaging and sensing, connectivity, driver assistance and, of course, entertainment/infotainment. And it certainly does all that.
There are a total of 33 sensors installed both inside and outside the car, with this sensing network delivering 360-degree recognition of traffic conditions.
The sensors provide driving assistance, such as advanced cruise control, self-parking and auto-lane change functions, that corresponds to Level 2+ driver assistance. Sony says software updates allow for continual performance upgrades, with the aim of ultimately achieving Level 4 or higher self-driving in the future. Inside the cabin, sensors monitor the condition of drivers and passengers. Facial expression and body movement are used to gauge a driver’s concentration and fatigue levels, and alerts are sounded should the system deem it necessary.

With an eye on the increasing power of connectivity through 5G, along with the advancement of self-driving technology, Sony says it believes the car cabin will evolve into a comfortable lounge-like environment.

With that in mind, the Vision S has a host of tech to deliver comfort and entertainment to occupants, including 360 Reality Audio, with sound coming from 360-degrees around the listener, achieved via a speaker layout that includes speakers built into the seats, and based on Sony’s most advanced audio engineering.

Up front in the cabin is a row of displays that create a wide screen with an intuitive user interface, content will be accessed via 5G connectivity which will also works to connect the car to a wider network. Sony says that a single tap on a phone app will allow drivers to summon their parked car to their location and what is being seen or heard on that phone will automatically be transferred to the car. For example, a map being viewed by a driver outside of the car will display on the car’s panoramic screen as soon as the driver enters, and music that a passenger is listening to on their earphones before getting into a car will automatically be transferred to the car’s speakers.

Other features include automatic climate control – if the car detects a sleeping passenger in the back seat, it will control the climate around that seat to a suitable temperature. And the system will keep learning, whether it is about preferred cabin temperatures, music, driving settings, routes, or various other driver and passenger preferences.

As for the ‘mechanics’ of the Vision S, Sony says the newly designed EV platform is compact and flexible, and can be used for other car types, including SUVs and MPVs.

Although the only info on the battery is that it uses ‘ultrathin’ battery packs, the Vision S comes in at a hefty 2350kg, suggesting a sizeable battery system and is therefore probably good for decent range. Power is delivered to the wheels via two 200kW motors and those deliver a good punch – acceleration is claimed as 4.8 seconds to 100km/h with a top speed of 240km/h. The Vision S is all-wheel-drive with double wishbone front and rear suspension.

Adopting a next-generation architecture, the Electrical/Electronic (E/E) system is designed to support constant monitoring through connectivity and over-the-air (OTA) system updates.

NAWA TECH UNVEILS HYBRID BATTERY E-BIKE

NAWA Technologies, maker of ultra-fast energy storage systems and next-generation ultracapacitor cells – debuted its NAWA Racer e-bike
concept at CES 2020.

The Racer uses a ‘hybrid’ battery which combines ultracapacitors – which the company says offers 10 times more power and five times more energy than existing tech – with conventional lithium-ion cells.

NAWA says that the hybrid ultracapacitor battery system greatly improves energy efficiency, reduces charging times and extends entire system life. Efficiency improvements can reduce the size of the lithium-ion battery by up to half or extend the range by up to double – or a combination in between.
Re-using more than 80 per cent of the energy captured from regenerative braking, the NAWA Racer uses a 9kWh lithium-ion battery.

With the NAWA tech combined with the bike’s carbon fibre frame and composite body panels, the Racer tips the scales at just 150kg, and the hybrid battery system results in an impressive claimed range. NAWA says the Racer can cover 150km on a mixed cycle, including highways, but by capturing energy from stop-start riding, the bike can double its urban range to 300km.

The ultracapacitor system pack can recharge in just two minutes and the entire battery can be charged to 80 per cent in one hour from a home supply NAWA claims.

The hub-less rim motor produces 100PS (73.5kW), giving the Racer a 0-100km/h time under three seconds and a top speed in excess of 160km/h.

NAWA says the Racer’s hybrid battery system can be applied to all forms of electric vehicle and the technology could go into production in the very near future.

NISSAN’S TWIN-MOTOR AWD E-4ORCE

Nissan showcased itS new twin-motor all-wheel-control technology called e-4ORCE at CES. The technology provides instant torque to all four wheels and the company says its engineers developed the e-4ORCE technology to specifically manage electric vehicle power output and braking performance to be smooth and stable.

Nissan says the e-4ORCE technology has the ability to minimise vehicle pitch and dive. This is accomplished by employing regenerative braking from both front and rear motors, making city stop-and-go traffic less jostling. Similarly, on rough, bumpy roads and when accelerating, motor control is optimised to maintain ride comfort by minimising irregular movement.

The company says that e-4ORCE increases driver confidence by faithfully tracing the driver’s intended line thanks to ultra-high-precision motor and brake control.

“The e-4ORCE twin-motor all-wheel control technology offers precise handling and stability, which gives drivers greater confidence and even more excitement than ever before,” said Takao Asami, Nissan’s senior vice president of research and advanced engineering. “This technology enables excellent cornering performance and traction on slippery surfaces and comfortable ride for all passengers.”

Source: Motor Trader E-Magazine (Feb 2020)

7 Feb 2020