The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the largest consumer electronics show in the world, is unveiling major advances in the field of mobility this year. From autonomous cars to space tires, the innovations presented are no longer simple concepts, but already operational solutions.
In San Francisco and Los Angeles, taking a taxi without a driver is now as commonplace as ordering a VTC. The company Waymo, leader in the sector, displays figures which demonstrate the progression of technology: 5 million journeys made and 33 million kilometers traveled in fully autonomous mode.
The sixth generation of Waymo vehicles, presented at CES, marks a significant evolution. “We offer more features at a significantly lower cost, including the ability to operate in snow and harsher weather conditions,” says company spokesperson Sandy Karp. “Our new vehicle, the Geely Zeekr, notably offers improved accessibility. It is easier to enter and exit and it has braille directions.”
Freight transport goes autonomous
The revolution is not limited to passenger transport. In Texas, Volvo already operates a fleet of autonomous trucks that provide commercial deliveries for DHL.
Lars Stenqvist, head of technology at Volvo, underlines the importance of this breakthrough: “what we are presenting today is neither a simple concept, nor a prototype, nor a projection into the future: it is already a reality. Our self-driving trucks currently provide commercial service across Texas and operate autonomously on public roads under the supervision of a safety driver.”
If the revolution is underway in the United States, Europe maintains a more conservative approach, favoring security over speed of deployment. Autonomous driving is only authorized under very specific conditions: on roads without cyclists, at less than 60 km/h and in dry weather. In practice, this technology is mainly used to manage traffic jams on motorways.
The eye that never takes its eyes off you
While waiting for the widespread use of autonomous vehicles, manufacturers are strengthening driver monitoring. The South Korean start-up Deep in Sight, which is collaborating with Hyundai, has developed a particularly sophisticated surveillance system.
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“Our system uses a single infrared camera, which is essential to ensure effective surveillance even in the dark,” explains LinH Le, an engineer at the company.
-“Our technology, based on artificial intelligence, detects different types of risky behaviors: distracted driving, phone use while driving, as well as signs of fatigue or drowsiness.” As soon as an anomaly is detected, the system emits a warning in the form of an audible signal or vibration of the driver’s seat.
The car becomes an entertainment hub
The advent of the autonomous car frees up time for passengers, creating new needs for entertainment and connectivity. The Stellar company offers an innovative solution to guarantee a stable high-speed internet connection, even at high speed.
“The revolution of today is the electric car. The revolution of tomorrow is the connected car,” says Damien Garot, director of Stellar. “Our solution allows you to have the same Internet as at home in the car. We already operate in 18 countries, equipping trucks as well as buses, trains and fleets of individual vehicles.”
This technology will be integrated directly into the next generation of vehicles from several European manufacturers.
From space to road: the tire that never punctures
Among the most surprising innovations, Smart Tire Company is adapting technology developed for space exploration to land vehicles.
“Our company develops intelligent airless tires for various applications,” explains Charles Weinberg. “The model you see here is designed for space exploration, intended for lunar rovers. We are now adapting this technology for terrestrial uses: cars, bicycles, scooters and other vehicles.”
The technology is based on a specific alloy called nitinol, composed of nickel and titanium. “Its particularity is its ability to undergo significant deformation while still returning to its initial shape,” explains Weinberg.
Although bicycles and scooters will be able to benefit from this innovation this year, motorists will have to wait. Strict safety regulatory requirements require longer development for automotive tires.
Pascal Wassmer
