The BMW i Vision Dee (Image Source: BMW)
Of particular interest to engineers is the growing intersection between AI, consumer electronics and automotive technology—and for examples of that look no further than the various smart vehicle platforms showcased at CES.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the smart car technologies from the expo.
Blackberry IVY
Blackberry’s smart vehicle platform is a cloud-connected AI software platform that the company co-developed with Amazon Web Services (AWS). Geared towards ehicle fleet management, IVY standardizes data from across various vehicle systems and deploys machine learning processing at the edge, in the vehicle. The company claims that being able to gather and process that data can enable new data-driven services and experiences, reduce operational costs and develop new revenue streams. With this platform, automakers will be able to rapidly deploy third party applications that enhance the in-vehicle experience for drivers and passengers. Blackberry’s IVY has been chosen by Dongfeng Motors as the platform for its next EV vehicles.
IVY was showcased on three commercially available platforms at CES:
- PATEO’s intelligent digital cockpit, which enables personalized solutions for electric vehicle (EV) battery range management and driver profiling
- Bosch’s information domain compute platform, installed in a Jeep Grand Cherokee, demonstrating AI-based predictive maintenance of brakes and tires and supporting secure in-vehicle payments
- A virtualized IVY platform solution, powered by AWS Gravitron processors, demonstrating ML-based solutions for scene detection and analysis and cybersecurity
Blackberry intends to make IVY generally available in May of this year.
Samsung/Harman Ready CareSamsung showcased the Ready Care vehicle occupant safety platform, being offered through its subsidiary Harman International. Ready Care is a closed-loop interior sensing and intervention platform that measures the eye activity, cognitive load and vital signs of the driver. Using artificial intelligence and machine learning, informed by neuroscience, Ready Care uses that data to determine how focused the driver is on the road. The platform can then initiate tailored interventions, such as adjusting the temperature, audio settings and vehicle lighting, to help the driver return their attention to driving.
The technology includes a driver-facing infrared camera and in-cabin radar to track eye activity, heart rate and breathing rate—without the need for the driver to wear any devices. The radar can also detect if a child is left unattended in the vehicle. The platform can also be tailored to integrate features from OEMs and third-party suppliers, enabling it to work with their software, sensors and compute platforms. It can also integrate Samsung’s wearable products such as the Galaxy Watch.
“With its unique ability to deliver customized and personalized driver interventions via a closed-loop approach…Ready Care offers solutions and protective intelligence that constantly prioritizes the driver’s well-being,” said Armin Prommersberger, Senior Vice President of Product Management at Harman.
LG
Samsung competitor LG also introduced its smart car platform, which it is developing with auto components maker Magna. The two companies are working on a proof of concept for a self-driving/infotainment product that would integrate LG’s infotainment capabilities with Magna’s Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) and automated driving technologies. This concept will focus on creating executable in-vehicle infotainment ADAS solutions.LG also envisions that it would connect with LG products in the home—allowing you to remotely turn off the LG stove if you forgot to do so before getting in the car. This product will be available for other automakers to integrate into their own vehicles.
“We are building a mobility service platform that understands, predicts and curates what people need in the car,” said Gene Cho, LG’s Vice President Of Product Strategy and Planning. “Drivers need to be in control and keep themselves and their loved ones safe from any harm.”
Sony Afeela Electric Vehicle
Sony and Honda are teaming up to produce the Afeela EV, which aims to be not just a vehicle but a “moving entertainment space.” Sony is leveraging its entertainment and technological expertise while Honda brings its carmaking experience to the partnership.The Afeela will feature Level 3 automated driving in limited situations, and Level 2+ driver assistance in many other scenarios. The prototype is equipped with 45 cameras, radar, ultrasonic and lidar sensors, together with 800 TOPS of maximum computing power for the engine control unit. As for the occupant experience, the Afeela’s cabin will integrate real and virtual worlds, with mobility entertainment concepts that will run on Epic Games’ Unreal Engine.
You won’t be able to take the Afeela for a test drive any time soon however. Pre-orders are planned for the first half of 2025 and vehicle deliveries would take place in 2026 in North America.
BMW i Vision Dee (“Digital Emotional Experience”)
With a color-changing exterior right out of a high-tech spy movie, the BMW i Vision Dee dominated the CES headlines. But it’s not just a pretty face: the German automaker’s concept EV features an augmented-reality windshield and a digital assistant that can use emotional intelligence to anticipate the occupants’ needs.Instead of a touchscreen, vehicle information is projected directly onto the windshield. The driver can customize the level of augmented reality they experience through the Mixed Reality Slider, which displays content in five different levels – ranging from traditional analogue right up to virtual reality.
Through its digital assistant, the vehicle not only tailors itself to the occupants’ needs, it also learns to anticipate what they want based on previous journeys. The sedan adapts to the driver’s habits, suggests destinations and routes, offers tailored entertainment programming and displays information customized to the driver such as news, calendar entries or social media posts. It can even recognize when the driver is walking up to the car and open the door for them.
“With the BMW i Vision Dee, we are showcasing what is possible when hardware and software merge,” said Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board at BMW. “In this way, we are able to exploit the full potential of digitalisation to transform the car into an intelligent companion. That is the future for automotive manufacturers – and, also, for BMW: the fusion of the virtual experience with genuine driving pleasure.”
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Digital Chassis
Chipmaker Qualcomm is partnering with cloud service provider Salesforce to provide a comprehensive platform that brings together vehicle autonomy, driver assistance, entertainment, telematics, connectivity and computing.The platform will enable automakers to deliver customized driver experiences while using real-time data analytics to learn, predict and adapt to user preferences. It will be built with the Snapdragon Digital Chassis and incorporate Salesforce’s Automotive Cloud product.
The product will leverage comprehensive vehicle and driver data to offer fast or real-time alerts relevant to the user, preventative maintenance alerts and on-demand adjustments, offers and feature upgrades. Automakers will be able to customize their service offerings for each users; for vehicle fleets, these offerings can be deployed across all vehicles to create a fleet of dynamically configurable vehicles. As well, Qualcomm claims the platform is open, scalable and upgradeable. Qualcomm already works with several auto manufacturers.