[CES2020] New Car Unveilings Disappear from CES... Filled with New Experiences and Technologies

Automakers Focus on Internal Advancement Using AI and 5G Technologies Instead of Exterior Design

[Las Vegas (USA) = Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] At CES, the world's largest home appliance and IT exhibition, which attracts global attention from the automotive industry to the extent that it is nicknamed the 'Las Vegas Motor Show,' new cars disappeared. At CES 2020, held for four days from the 7th (local time), instead of flashy new cars, new experiences inside the car and new technologies took center stage.

Automakers, who had focused their capabilities on exterior vehicle design, have competed to present results of their efforts to make the vehicle interior a space where various experiences can be enjoyed while feeling comfortable.

First, BMW unveiled the 'i3 Urban Suite,' which decorates the interior space to feel like a hotel suite. It is a kind of concept car based on the existing BMW i3, with changes made to most parts except the dashboard.

BMW explained, "This model shows that luxurious mobility is not related to the size of the vehicle." During travel, passengers can work or relax by watching videos through a screen that descends from the ceiling. A personal sound zone, now considered quite standard in future cars, was also added to assist passenger entertainment. BMW installed a model of part of the i3 Urban Suite interior at one side of the exhibition hall so that many people could experience it.

BMW i3 Urban Suite

Last year at CES, Audi introduced 'Immersive In-Car Entertainment,' an interior entertainment technology that interprets action scenes from movies as actual car movements. This year, Audi focused on reinterpreting space. The autonomous vehicle 'AI:ME' exhibited by Audi was designed as a communicative mobility partner and a third living space. Artificial Intelligence (AI) learns the habits of passengers and interacts with them. It checks biometric information and provides a customized environment tailored to the user’s needs. Wearing virtual reality (VR) goggles, it also becomes a space for relaxation where passengers can enjoy virtual flights inside the vehicle.

Audi's autonomous vehicle 'AI:ME' exhibited at CES 2020

The electronics industry absorbed advanced technologies such as AI and 5G mobile communication into vehicles. At LG Electronics' exhibition hall, a connected car developed in collaboration with automotive seat manufacturer Adient was displayed for the first time in the center of the 'ThinQ Zone,' attracting attention. LG Electronics' connected car was equipped with home appliances including a clothing care system to hang suit jackets and a refrigerator, as well as a large screen for entertainment. It was a real implementation of the ThinQ Zone theme, 'Anywhere is home.' LG Electronics' webOS Auto (webOS for smart cars) was applied to the connected car. Through this, users can experience AI that connects the home and the vehicle, as well as simple command execution.

Connected car exhibited at LG Electronics exhibition hall 'ThinQ Zone'

Samsung Electronics Digital Cockpit

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.