CES 2016 Dominated by Autonomous Car Technology

BANGKOK: Recently Las Vegas witnessed The Consumer Electronic Show 2016 from January 6-9 in Sin City. World's largest consumer technology trade show held annually since 1998, showcases the state-of-the-art products and is a great platform for all the car industry executives as well as technology innovators. This year an internationally renowned electronics and technology trade show featured over 3,600 exhibitors and attended by more than 150,000 visitors. CES is mainly a technology hub displaying the most creative and cutting edge technologies for all the tech-savvies around the globe. However, this year's electronic and trade show was bubbled with car technologies and it seemed that autonomous cars were shining stars of 2016 CES with the most innovative and advanced concepts on showcase. The theme among car manufacturers this year seems to be of autonomous driving which stole the spotlight in the event doubling the success of January's CES show.

Mass-market car manufacturers including Ford, Toyota, General Motors, Hyundai and Nissan are on the top in manufacturing autonomous cars. Their increased presence in the electronics and trade show has confirmed their future plans of partnership with tech companies to boost the development and popularity of their driverless technology. With the Tesla Motors Inc absent from the show, Ford Motors Company, General Motors Company, Toyota and Faraday Future proved that they are more than the conventional brands by making their presence known at the show.

• Ford Motor Company:

The Ford Motor Company has been flooding the press media and online video channels with the news of its latest innovations and rumors of partnership at the CES 2016. Ford has always been in the news for its brilliant and innovative productions and it has been transformed from its run-of-the-mill approach into a full-service mobility brand. Before CES there were speculations that the brand might join hands with Google to develop autonomous cars but Ford CEO, Mark Fields cleared in the show that indeed they are looking forward to manufacturing these Driverless cars and might partner with several tech companies but did not mention Google directly.

• General Motors:

General Motors also made a headline with the announcement of $500million investment in Lyft on account of partnership to manufacture autonomous cars.

On the commencement of the show, GM Ex-Chief Executive Officer Mary Barra delivered a keynote address where for the first time she unveiled the production version of its long ranging electric car- Chevy's Bolt which was earlier showcased as a prototype last year. The Bolt launched with a starting price of THB 1090110.00. Mary Barra is now elected unanimously as a President and Chairman of the GM Board of Directors. Under her leadership, general motors is moving towards personal mobility through advanced and innovative technologies like driverless technology, connectivity and electrification.

• Faraday Future:

Faraday Future prototype also transfixed visitors with its driverless technology and racing car features. Faraday Future is a brand of electric cars and unveiled their all new concept, FZERO1 claiming 1,000 hp. This EV concept can sprint 0-100 kmph in just 3 seconds.

• BMW i VISION:

The electronic and trade show also witnessed the latest concept car of BMW- BMW i Vision Future Interaction which takes the technology of autonomous cars to the all new level. It was available in the market in three different driving modes and at CES, BMW launched a new concept with the automatic mode with its AirTouch technology.

With all the latest cutting edge technologies, auto cars and gadgets, this year event has shown how the automotive world and technology field are merging with latest technologies and concepts.

Also Read: BMW i8 Spyder- Expected to Launch at Upcoming CES 2016