Automotive technology is becoming a steadily larger and more important component of the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Ford is leading the way in terms of the number of vehicles exhibited, but several other OEMs aren’t far behind. In addition to vehicles, OEM and aftermarket systems and components were on display, and Panasonic was showing its latest airliner entertainment systems. Some of the exhibited technology overtly incorporated displays and some didn’t. I didn’t worry about that much in writing this article. You can imagine the opportunities as well as I can.
Perhaps the biggest news was Chevrolet choosing CES for the not-quite-official introduction of its Bolt all-battery-powered electric vehicle (BEV) (Photo 1). The official reveal was at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit a few days later. The built-from-the-ground-up-to-be-electric Bolt will have a range in excess of 200 miles and cost about $30,000 after the federal tax credit. This is the first long-range pure battery-powered car at a reasonably affordable price. That’s a very big deal. The Bolt will be available late this year as a 2017 model.
The Bolt incorporates some notable display technology, including a 10.2″ center-stack display which is the window to the soul of the Chevrolet MyLink system. Optional Surround Vision uses four cameras to create a bird’s-eye view of the vehicle and its surroundings. The four camera views are merged on the 10.2″ screen to provide awareness of what’s going on behind and beside you in a single image. Also optional is a “rear camera mirror,” in which the mirror can act as a display that presents a wide-angle view of the area behind the car “without the obstruction of rear head restraints or rear-sear passengers” (Photo 2). This is in addition to the now-expected back-up camera, whose image appears on the center-stack display. Additional options are forward collision alert and side blind zone alert. One sign identified the Bolt as “Chevrolet’s Commitment to Electrification.”
On the connectivity side, Chevrolet was featuring myChevrolet Mobile App, which provides real-time diagnostic alerts concerning key vehicle systems; implements destination searches and sends directions directly to the vehicle; permits remote starting, door locking/unlocking, and horn and light activation.
The Bolt was not the only production-ready, general-purpose BEV to be shown at CES. Volkswagen showed its e-Golf, which was introduced last year and is now available on a limited basis in several states. But with a maximum range of 83 miles, it would be hard for most consumers to think of the e-Golf as their primary car.
