CES 2020 Proves the Automotive Future Is Both Cool & Confusing

Once again, the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) proved that science-fiction is reality. From social robots and immersive video-game setups to brain-training headbands and disturbingly realistic-looking CGI humans, the world has become a really weird place obsessed with making life easier by ironically introducing ever more complicated stuff. And CES 2020 had it all on display, in all its strange glory.

Now, maybe our expectations were too high with it being a new decade and all, but it felt like there were fewer truly fresh ideas this year. However, that doesn’t mean CES 2020 was a bust…

Here are the new or improved technologies from the show that not only had us saying “wow,” but also immediately considering how they could play a role in future automotive development. After all, anyone who tells you CES is a just a tech show for eggheads is fooling themselves—this is the next iteration of auto show, still in beta testing.

OnePlus Concept One Smartphone

A smartphone, really? Really—and we’ll tell you why. Forget about data processing and texting ergonomics and check out the electrochromic (EC) glass this baby’s using to hide its camera lens on the back.

This piqued our interest because OnePlus’s innovative take on EC glass offers some unique potential to the industry it borrowed it from—automotives. The McLaren 720S, a $300,000 luxury supercar, sports an electrochromic glass sunroof that can darken at the push of a button, to help block sun and keep the cabin cool. Essentially, EC glass can change opacity when an electric current passes through it, allowing it to go from clear to tinted and back again.

However, McLaren’s EC glass is thick, a little slow, and stupid expensive. So, OnePlus went back to the drawing board and created an incredibly thin, quick-responding EC glass. (No word on what this tech could cost.) And, sure, this lets the smartphone maker add more cameras to the phone without hurting overall design, and it should help users take better pictures too. But, truly, we could care less about all that.

We want to see this super-thin, fast-acting EC glass reintroduced to vehicle design! There are any number of needless “convenience” technologies crammed into vehicles every day. But windows that can tint at the push of button for on-demand privacy or light/heat-blocking purposes? That sounds genuinely useful, especially in states where window-tinting is highly regulated.

Next-Gen Rearview Mirrors and Visors

Speaking of convenience tech… the realm of in-cabin video feeds also got some attention at CES. This shouldn’t come as a shock, seeing as back-up cameras are now standard equipment. Plus, with the GMC Sierra’s Transparent Trailer technology, the Range Rover Evoque’s ClearSight viewing technology, and the Cadillac CT6’s rearview mirror that swaps to a high-def, wide-angle camera display at the touch of a button, this segment is already seeing some tailored innovation.

Building upon Cadillac’s approach, Aston Martin debuted a similar-but-evolved tri-camera rearview mirror system at CES 2020, (on a sweet DBS Superleggera prototype no less). Using three camera feeds, the setup—developed with Gentex Corporation—allows you to see standard rear views as well as side rear views. And, like Cadillac, the system can return to “traditional” mirror functionality when desired.

We expect this camera-as-mirror trend to continue as cars become increasingly more electric and connected. Although, how quickly it rolls out depends on the NHTSA, who is currently “studying the issue.”

Also grabbing our attention was the LED-activated sun visor from Bosch.

The Bosch Virtual Visor uses a transparent LCD screen where a traditional sun visor would be. This then pairs to a camera in the cabin that uses AI technology to track the sun’s movement across your face, darkening specific areas of the visor to help block glaring sunlight.

Exceedingly complicated way to solve a simple problem? Perhaps. Frankly, we’re just happy to see someone devoting energy to this incredibly long-standing frustrating flaw in vehicle design.

Bosch didn’t just roll into CES 2020 with a cool visor, though. The German auto supplier announced its foray into the LIDAR market as well, debuting a long range, production-ready sensor—a huge boost to the future of autonomous driving.

Why? Because LIDAR uses light to generate a three-dimensional view of the road, but the technology is very new and very expensive. With a big, well-respected, Tier-1 supplier like Bosch at the helm, it has a better chance of becoming a viable (read: affordable) option for AV manufacturers.

Sony Vision-S

There’s no denying that Sony thoroughly awed attendees at CES 2020 by showing up with a full-fledged, prototype electric vehicle. And as Ben Sullins of Teslanomics explains, this isn’t just some stapled-together show car, “this thing actually drives.”

“The fact that they were able to make a ground-up electric vehicle—meaning from scratch—is really impressive. And for a company that doesn’t even make cars? A complete shock,” adds Sullins.

There are no plans to put the vehicle into production, although with looks like that, they definitely could. Rather, Sony’s intention here—aside from a huge flex—is to prove its commitment to the transportation sector by showcasing all the ways it already contributes to vehicle design, as well as all the innovative ways it can in the future. Cameras, sensors, audio, lighting—in many ways these features play just as important a role as horsepower, torque, and range.

Other notable EV features on display at CES: the interchangeable battery packs featured on the Fiat Centoventi concept, the sustainable materials of the new Fisker Ocean, Jeep’s hybrid/electric take on its traditional off-roaders, and the creepy biometrics showcased on the terrifying Mercedes AVTR.

But as one online commenter points out, “If Sony is bringing the most important electric car to CES, then there are no important electric cars at CES.” Perhaps an unpopular opinion, but definitely food for thought.

Wallbox Quasar Charger

Nabbing Engadget’s web award for Best Transportation Technology at CES 2020, we were also impressed with the Wallbox Quasar Charger. Marketed as the “first bidirectional charger for your home,” the Quaser allows you to feed energy from your house to your car or your car to your house. You can even send energy back to the grid!

Compact, efficient and lightweight, it has the potential to make residential charging easier and less intrusive. That makes Wallbox a useful ally for manufacturers pushing EVs into the mainstream.

Expected to retail around $4,000, it should be available later this year. While that price is crazy high, you do gain the ability to use your car as a back-up generator for your house—which definitely helps justify at least some of the cost.

Plus, Wallbox is working with utility companies to offer subsidies, so you can sell energy back to the grid during heavy-usage times (like hot summer days). “Think of it… instead of being a nuisance to the grid, electric vehicles can actually save the grid during major outages,” explains Seth Weintraub of electrek. “In the short term, they can also eliminate the need to build and activate highly polluting and expensive peaker plants.”

Alexa Everything, Everywhere, All The Time

Just as last year’s CES was dominated by “Hello Google,” 2020’s running saw Alexa stretch its ever-present, always-listening tentacles across the entire convention center. Not satisfied with being relegated to your living room, kitchen, and select vehicles, Alexa is now cropping up in a variety of strange, unwelcome places.

Too lazy to get out of bed and turn up the thermostat? Don’t worry the Alexa IN YOUR MATTRESS can hear you whispering that your toes are cold. And if she doesn’t, certainly the Alexa in your lamp, window blinds, eyeglasses, jewelry, or essential oil diffuser will pick up her slack. CES 2020 showed us Alexa-enabled toothbrushes, ceiling fans, pet feeders, toilets, microwaves and ever more unnecessary integrations.

The one place we did find Alexa that seemed useful was in the Jarvish Smart Helmet, a tech-advanced motorcycle helmet that also features a built-in action camera, sound system, wireless charging, and HUD functionality.

Personally, I’m not a fan of the Alexa-everything craze. However, I am prepared to admit that we should expect to “see” more of her—especially in your vehicle. Amazon’s recent Echo Auto allows users to turn nearly any vehicle into an Alexa speaker, as long as it has an aux input or Bluetooth connection. The best/worst part? You can purchase this electronic eavesdropper for a mere $50.

How do you feel about the CES 2020 technologies on this list? Do you find them creative and useful or absolutely, eh, creepy? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.