The annual CES (Consumer Electronics Show), once populated almost entirely with the likes of television sets, video players, stereos and audio gear, has over the last few years rapidly zoomed to prominence as a top-tier venue for debuting automotive technology. It’s probably only natural, as cars have just as rapidly come to be equipped with an amount and variety of infotainment and driver-assistant electronics unimaginable just shortly ago. Herewith a sample of some of the relevant highlights at this year’s show:
• BMW unveiled their HoloActiv Touch system, in which motorists use finger gestures to interact with graphics that project out of dashboard screens. Luxe car manufacutrer BMW has confirmed it’s going to tease a sneak peek of its new ‘floating’ HoloActive Touch virtual car interface.
BMW, Intel and Mobileye announced they’re readying a fleet of about 40 autonomous BMW vehicles for on-roads use by the second half of this year. The BMW 7 Series will employ cutting-edge Intel and Mobileye technologies during global trials starting in the U.S. and Europe.
Meanwhile, the BMW 5 Series was used to demonstrate automated drive, wherein drivers no longer need to operate the accelerator or brake pedal and can also take their hands off the steering wheel, allowing them to concentrate on other activities instead. An extra onboard computer continuously cross-checks the vehicle’s position and data about its surroundings against a highly detailed digital roadmap, resulting in very accurate lane-keeping. The drive concluded with the Robot Valet Parking service – a fully automated parking procedure.