Auto-Focus at CES 2019
If you have been following all the amazing tech that has been talked at CES 2019 then you will agree with me when I say, that it has been turning into an auto show, lately. And if you haven’t been able to catch up on all the auto-madness that is happening at CES 2019, then you have come to the right place. In this blog, I’m going to try and fill you in on all the exciting, futuristic automobiles that we can look forward to.
Hyundai Elevate:
Let me start with something that will elevate you to the next level. Quite literally. The Hyundai Elevate. Sometimes, helping someone affected by a natural disaster can become hard due to damaged roads, bridges and other infrastructure. It can easily clear 5-foot tall walls and span 5-foot wide gaps in the pavement. And once the first responders are clear of the disaster zone, the Elevate’s legs retract under the cabin and drive like conventional electric vehicles.
BMW i-Next:
Let’s talk about the other innovative automobiles showcased at CES 2019. Another car that really caught everyone’s eye was the BMW i-Next. If you ever wished to watch TV or maybe chit-chat with your buddies on a video call while driving your car, then this is it. BMW is developing a mixed reality display system that will empower drivers to multitask; clearing items on their to-do list, taking video calls, even watching a bit of TV if they’re so inclined.
Mercedes Vision Urbanetic:
Next, let’s talk about a part taxi and part delivery van that Mercedes unveiled at the event. Electric powered Vision Urbanetic concept vehicle is a modular van that can be both a people carrier and a way to ship items around town. It has two different sections, one for people who will be travelling a shorter distance and one for those who will be travelling for a longer period. It is a delivery van during off hours/late night and a taxi during peak hours of the day.
Daimler Semi-Autonomous Electic Trucks:
Daimler, Mercedes’ parent company, showcased their semi-autonomous electric trucks. The trucks are able to keep themselves centred in a lane, match the speed of a car in front from a safe distance, and alert the driver when cars or pedestrians sneak into the big blind spot on the right side of the vehicle. They are also capable of braking automatically in an emergency. With any luck, this technology could also help reduce the thousands of crashes and act as a safety measure for trucks.
If all that wasn’t fascinating to you, maybe the next one will blow your mind. Or maybe it won’t, read it anyway, will ya? Thanks.
Audi In-car Entertainment:
Audi E-Tron, now before you go all nuts saying that this wasn’t launched at CES 2019 or that it has been around for a while now, then save it. This is not about the car per se. All the other innovations in the automobile space revolved around the driveability and/or innovative uses of an automobile. No company really focuses on in-car entertainment for the passengers on the back seat. Audi being an exception, obviously. “Content is a major driving force of the mobility of the future,” said Audi’s head of digital business Nils Wollny. Audi teamed up with Holoride, a company that focuses on in-vehicle media experiences, to take advantage of the automaker’s 10-year relationship with Marvel to create an immersive VR experience. The Rocket Rescue Run game they created has you flying through the cosmos saving Iron Man from an attack by Thanos in the far reaches of space with everyone’s favourite talking racoon (Rocket). As the E-Tron speeds up, so does the spaceship. If the SUV takes a hard right, so does the craft. The goal is to shoot down enemy ships and eventually take down Thanos’ mothercraft. Holoride made sure that the latency was so low that it wouldn’t trigger vomiting sensations in players. If you’re sitting in the back of an electric vehicle going really fast and hitting sharp corners, nobody wants to be barfing and ruining the ride.
All these innovations are undoubtedly very cool and we would all love for it to come to India, but if you really care to know about the Future of Electric Vehicles in India, then this blog is a must read for you.
