State-of-the-art technology breakthroughs and glimpses of technology of the future were highlighted at the recent 2014 International CES, or Consumer Electronics Show. Organized by the Consumer Electronics Association, it was held January 6-9 in Los Vegas, Nevada. Among the multitudinous innovative presentations from all types of electronics industries, a number of products were unveiled in new car technology. Here are some of the automotive innovations on display at the show.
Cars With Sensors
The auto tech firm Delphi demonstrated a Tesla S with five built-in sensors, including a radar-camera on the front and radar units mounted on each of the four corners. With its 360 degree readings, the vehicle can detect and avoid collisions using braking, speed control and swerving. Because of the side-mounted radars, the car can avoid collisions while swerving because it can read the location of other vehicles. The radar equipment also has the ability to detect large animals and pedestrians, though it cannot yet read small animals like dogs and cats. The technology works better than human vision when driving in inclement weather. Delphi is planning to hone the equipment so that it will be much more sensitive.
Cars With Brains
Auto manufacturer Audi showed off a car with a computer brain no larger than a book. To demonstrate their abilities, several cars drove themselves onto the stage without human passengers. On another occasion Audi tested the vehicles as they auto-drove on the open road with personnel from the media as passengers. Called the Audi Sport Quattro Laserlight, the new car has hidden equipment including video cameras, long and mid range radar systems, a laser scanner and ultrasonic distance sensors. The pilot technology, which can drive in traffic and park on its own, is still in the planning and design stage and not yet available commercially. However, Audi sees self-driving car technology as a ubiquitous reality in the future, and is forging ahead with its research.
Self-Fueled Cars
Another highlight of the auto technology portion of the CES was the unveiling of Ford Motor’s C-MAX Solar Energi Concept car. The solar plug-in is still a hybrid car sometimes needing conventional fuel, as solar energy poses special challenges when used as automotive energy, but Ford’s entry is state-of-the-art up to this point. The sleek, attractive vehicle has 16 square feet of photovoltaic panels on its roof. Because even a full day of sunlight would not be sufficient to recharge the batteries, Ford has added an acrylic lens that acts as a magnifying glass when the car is at rest, increasing power absorption by eight times. Seven hours of sunlight powers the vehicle for a little over 20 miles before the gas engine takes over. The prototype is a harbinger of more efficient solar vehicles to come.
Dashboard Internet Entertainment
Internet-connected entertainment suites on vehicle dashboards were another source of fascination at the CES. A number of car manufacturers, including Audi, Jaguar, General Motors and Tesla demonstrated dashboard control systems using broadband Internet to power apps for music, weather, news and other features. Some manufacturers build a modem into the car, providing an internal Wi-Fi signal that passengers can use for tablets and laptops. Other integrate a smartphone into the dashboard so that dashboard controls can access a multitude of apps. Yet others combine the two features for a comprehensive interactive experience. As car connectivity is becoming more and more important to consumers, manufacturers are refining Internet entertainment systems for integration into upcoming models.
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