CES is billed as the most influential tech event in the world, the showplace for breakthrough technologies and innovation. The world’s biggest brands meet new partners, and sharp innovators hit the stage. CES 2022 is actually happening, though with major exhibitors staying home and flights being cancelled by the hundreds and thousands, it’s a little difficult to imagine the in-person event having much in the way of legs. Lots of would-be booths are just empty floor space, and the number of attendees is way down, at probably historic lows. Google, GM, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Panasonic, Intel, Waymo, T-Mobile, Amazon, Microsoft, and Nvidia are just some of the big-name exhibitors who didn’t attend.
Nevertheless, the show is going on, and here are our six takeaways:
1) The show cars and unveiled production confirm the design trend
Slim headlamps and rearlamps, front end, new front end, grill, logo
2) Color-changing technology
BMW showed off a new technology: push a button, and presto change-o, the car changes from black to white, or a pattern of both.
3) Arrival of new OEM players
Brand-new brands like Indigo and VinFast as well as the first serious cars and concepts from the likes of previously non-automotive big names like Sony.
4) Great Presence of Lidar players
Blickfeld, Innovusion, Luminar, Marelli AL, Opsys Tech, RoboSense, Valeo, Xenomatix, and ZF