CES: The Ai Revolution Has Only Just Begun!


By Clinton Lum // Published On: January 18, 2025


Photography: Jose Ortiz

At the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the spotlight was firmly on the fusion of AI and automotive technology. As automotive giants and innovative startups filled the halls, the show demonstrated how artificial intelligence is transforming the driving experience.

Nvidia’s Keynote: Redefining Onboard Computing Power

There was an amazing keynote by Nvidia and their new GPUs.  But what will that mean for the automotive scene?  For starters, the increased computational capabilities will allow onboard processing systems to handle more data, especially for driverless vehicle autonomy.

AFEELA 1: Sony and Honda’s Vision for the Future

But there was progress on the Sony Honda Mobility front as well.  AFEELA 1 is scheduled for U.S. production at an existing, state-of-art plant in Ohio with official sales in California anticipated in 2025 and deliveries anticipated in mid-2026.  AFEELA 1 will be available in two trims, with prices starting from $89,900 with a 3-year complementary subscription for certain functionality and features. Online reservations through the AFEELA website are now open with a fully refundable reservation fee of $200.

Honda Unveils the Futuristic Honda 0 Saloon and SUV, Showcasing Advanced EV Technology and Customization

Honda unveiled prototypes of the Honda 0 Saloon and Honda 0 SUV, marking a significant step in their electric vehicle lineup. The Honda 0 Saloon, the series’ flagship, boasts a low-height, sporty design that distinguishes it from other EVs, while offering a surprisingly spacious interior. This model is built on Honda’s newly developed dedicated EV architecture and incorporates next-generation technologies embodying the “Thin, Light, and Wise” development approach. Notably, it features highly reliable automated driving technologies, including Level 3 automated driving capabilities, and “ultra-personal optimization” enabled by the ASIMO OS, providing a customized mobility experience for each user.

The Honda 0 SUV, based on the Space-Hub concept model from CES 2024, applies the “Thin, Light, and Wise” approach to a mid-size EV SUV. This results in an expanded interior space with a clear, unrestricted field of view and great flexibility. Like the Saloon, the SUV incorporates the ASIMO OS for ultra-personal optimization and digital user experience. Additionally, it utilizes high-precision attitude estimation and stabilization control based on 3D gyro sensors, technologies Honda developed through its robotics research, to provide dynamic performance across various road surfaces. The production model of the Honda 0 SUV is scheduled for introduction in North America in the first half of 2026, followed by launches in Japan and Europe.

Things are shaping up as Honda teams up with Sony and possibly merging with Nissan.  There could be great synergies involved in the industry as Nissan faces drastically reduced market share and increased competition from Chinese EV manufacturers. 

Chinese Automakers: A Rising Force in the U.S. Market

And speaking of Chinese manufacturers, there were quite a few brands on the show floor that are not familiar to the American Market.  Brands such as Geely, Great Wall Motor, Zeekr, and Foxtron. The Lotus Eletre is manufactured by Geely in China.  The Polestar brand is also interesting because it is owned by Volvo and Zhejiang Geely Holding.  Polestar cars are produced in facilities owned by Volvo or Geely in several countries, including China, the United States, and South Korea.

The Role of Chinese Manufacturers in American EV Production

So when will we see Chinese vehicles in America?  It isn’t a matter of if, but when they will be mainstream.  There are already BYD electric buses on the road as well as Polestars.  GM has a joint venture with SAIC (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation, who manufactures vehicles such as the Buick Envision which is sold here in America.  And you can’t count out the battery components that will be integrated in American automakers as well.  Ford has licensed battery tech from global battery tech leader, CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited).

Scout Motors: Volkswagen’s Bold Move for Off-Road EVs

Scout Motors Inc. is an American automotive company. It is owned by German manufacturer Volkswagen Group, which obtained the Scout brand after acquiring American truck manufacturer Navistar International in 2021.  Scout Motors was established in May 2022 to produce off-road capable electric vehicles. It is an entirely US-based operation and acts as an independent company, managed separately from Volkswagen with its own executive team.  Their Terra pickup truck and Traveller SUV will have an expected delivery of late 2027.

AI Meets Electric Vehicles: Innovations in Energy Efficiency

The show also featured innovations in the intersection of AI and electric vehicles (EVs), with major automotive manufacturers revealing concept cars that used machine learning to maximize energy efficiency. As CES 2025 wrapped up, it was clear that AI was no longer just a feature in the automotive world—it had become the driving force behind the future of transportation.

Check out the full gallery below.

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