CES 2024 featured the latest developments across the entire ecosystem from AI, sensors and advanced connectivity to fully autonomous vehicles. While self-driving passenger cars have been on the CES scene for years, more self-driving commercial trucks and industrial machines are appearing at the show as businesses seek to boost safety, sustainability and productivity. Also, marine vessels represent a new frontier for self-driving and other technologies. In the skies, advanced air mobility is an emerging trend in smart mobility. Solutions range from drones that deliver packages to electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
 
Featured exhibitors in smart mobility included Caterpillar and John Deere, brands known worldwide for, respectively, the manufacture of construction and mining equipment, and agricultural machinery, heavy equipment, forestry machinery and diesel engines. CES 2024 also featured startups breaking new ground in moving people and goods farther, faster and more efficiently. Take a look at a small sample of representative exhibitors.

Aeva

This startup and 2023 Innovation Award honoree brought to market the world’s first 4D LiDAR (light detection and ranging) sensor on a chip. Aeva employs frequency-modulated, continuous-wave (FMCW) technology to deliver information about the environment with camera-level resolution up to 20 times that of traditional LiDAR sensors. In this way, Aeva helps automated vehicles detect even small road hazards at highway speeds, and from twice the distance possible with alternative LiDAR solutions.

Brunswick

The largest recreational marine company in the world, CTA member company Brunswick is also a repeat Innovation Award winner, having earned honors in both 2021 and 2022. The company is well known globally among boating enthusiasts for designs and technology that make seafaring experiences safer and more accessible for all skill levels. At CES 2024, Brunswick will exhibit its latest developments for easing the path to life on the water. As described in a CES Tech Talk podcast, Brunswick has dominated its sector through technologies that enable autonomous and remote operation, as well as electrification for improved motor efficiency and sustainability.

HT Flying Car Inc.

This startup, an affiliate of XPeng Inc., is the largest flying-car company in Asia. It’s working to deliver the cars of the future that are smart and safe for individual users. The company’s X2 was the first crewed eVTOL to receive a Chinese flight permit, a key milestone to attaining mass-production status. In September, the company announced the development of the X3, a prototype two-seat vehicle with eight propellers. Don’t miss this exhibit to see how close flying cars are to becoming a consumer reality.

Supernal

Startup and member company Supernal, part of the Hyundai Motor Group, will spotlight advanced air mobility (AAM) for full effect outside West Hall in two locations adjacent to the Vegas Loop. The company is dedicated to incorporating eVTOL capabilities into existing transit systems. As summarized in a September article, this first-time CES exhibitor will demonstrate its mastery of electrification, autonomy tech, robotics and smart manufacturing to accelerate safe and feasible mobility in the air.