RICTOR unveils X4 air mobility pod, no pilot’s license required

During CES 2026, RICTOR officially launched the X4, the world’s first “Hop-on-and-Take-off” ultralight eVTOL. The X4 complies with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 103 regulations, making it one of the few manned aircraft globally that can be operated without requiring a pilot's license. The X4 is powered by a semi-solid state battery pack with a dual-battery redundancy design. The air mobility pod supports both pre-planned routes and manual control mode. RICTOR plans to start deliveries of the X4 in Q2 2026 at a price of $39,900. The X4 is a direct challenge to competitors like the Jetson One, which costs over $120,000. By pricing it under $40,000 and removing the pilot license barrier, RICTOR aims to move personal flight from a billionaire’s hobby to a high-end consumer product, similar to how DJI revolutionized camera drones.

AOTOS and Gyroor showcase next-generation personal mobility solutions

AOTOS and Gyroor showcased compact, foldable rideable suitcases optimized for seamless airport navigation. Users simply pull out the handlebars, sit down, and throttle forward for effortless gliding through terminals. AOTOS suitcase models retail under $500, while Gyroor offers comparable versions for around $299. Gyroor also highlighted its electric scooters and trikes for broader urban mobility. As technology continues to advance, there have been many other innovative travel solutions in recent years.

Navee’s CES 2026 lineup: Fast e-scooters, AI golf cart, seaplane

Navee used CES 2026 to expand its smart mobility footprint beyond standard e-scooters. The company unveiled the UT5 Ultra X high-performance electric scooter, featuring rapid acceleration and a top speed of nearly 43 mph, alongside an AI-powered golf cart with automated navigation. Its CES lineup also teased ambition in outdoor and lifestyle mobility, including all-terrain models and even a conceptual electric seaplane, reflecting a broader strategy that extends beyond urban micro-mobility into diverse transportation experiences.

JATCO and HODAKA unveil prototype electric-assist bicycle with JATCO drive unit

At CES 2026, JATCO announced a major shift in its business, moving beyond traditional car gearboxes into electric micro-mobility. The highlight was the unveiling of a prototype electric-assist bicycle, developed in partnership with HODAKA. The e-bike features a compact 2-in-1 drive unit that combines a motor and a multi-speed gearbox into one system. This brings together JATCO’s 50 years of transmission expertise and HODAKA’s long experience in bicycle manufacturing, aiming to deliver a smoother and more efficient riding experience. In addition to the e-bike, JATCO also showcased a high-torque, 2-speed in-wheel motor for electric scooters, designed for everyday urban use.

Tensor introduces world’s first personal robocar

At CES 2026, Silicon Valley startup Tensor officially debuted its personal robocar, a groundbreaking vehicle positioned as the world’s first Level 4 autonomous car designed for private ownership rather than ride-sharing fleets. Powered by an NVIDIA-based supercomputer delivering over 8,000 TOPS, the robocar features a vertically integrated AI stack modeled after human cognition to navigate complex environments like fog and heavy rain. The vehicle’s standout innovation is a production-ready foldable steering wheel and retractable pedals co-developed with Autoliv; in autonomous mode, these components fully retract to transform the cabin into a spacious living area, complete with a sliding display. Equipped with a massive sensor suite, including five LiDARs and 37 cameras, the robocar is slated for production in late 2026 for markets in the US, EU and Middle East.

Autovoltek targets hands-free home EV charging with AI-powered ChargeRobot

Autovoltek is an EV charging technology startup focused on simplifying daily electric vehicle charging through robotic, home-based solutions. The company highlighted ChargeRobot, an automated home EV charging system for Tesla vehicles that removes the daily need to manually plug and unplug. The wheeled robot uses AI and computer vision to locate the charging port, open it, and plug in automatically, with no precision parking required. It works with an existing Tesla wall charger, which follows a preset charging schedule priced around $1,888. It is expanding toward support for additional EV charging standards as well.

Microsoft’s CES 2026 message: Azure and AI to build cars faster

At CES 2026, Microsoft discussed a simple idea – cars are becoming software products, and software requires robust cloud tools. It highlighted Azure as the platform where automakers can run large simulations, build and test code faster, and manage complex SDV programs with enhanced security and scalability. Microsoft also utilized partners to bring the story to life – AMD and Siemens for virtual engineering on Azure, ETAS for cloud-based calibration tools, and Renesas for an SDV development environment that leverages GitHub-style CI/CD workflows. On the in-car side, it pointed to Bosch’s new AI cockpit, “AI extension platform” (with NVIDIA DRIVE Orin), and Cerence’s hybrid in-car/connected voice assistant, which aims to bring productivity features into the cockpit more safely.

GWM puts AI models, smart cockpits, hybrid architectures at the center of CES presence

Great Wall Motor highlighted its technology roadmap, with a strong emphasis on intelligent driving and smart cockpit systems. GWM showcased ASL 2.0, a next-generation large AI model known as “Agent of Space & Language”, and the self-developed Coffee EEA 4.0 electronic architecture. The ASL 2.0 concept resembles a Grok-style intelligent assistant, designed to operate seamlessly alongside ADAS. Complementing this AI focus, GWM also presented foundational powertrain technologies such as the Hi4-Z hybrid architecture, semi-solid-state batteries, hydrogen fuel cell engines, and a V8 engine, outlining a multi-path strategy for global competitiveness. The company also displayed a wide portfolio of vehicles and technologies like the Wey Alpine 9 MPV, Wey Lanshan Intelligent Advanced Edition SUV, Tank 500 Hi4-T Smart Edition and even motorcycles. This large-scale presence reflects GWM’s growing international footprint, with overseas markets now accounting for more than 40% of its total sales volume.

GWM Chairman Wei Jianjun reiterated the company’s commitment to an “ecosystem go-global” strategy, encompassing overseas manufacturing, localized R&D centers, and deeper integration into regional markets. CTO Wu Huixiao attended in person and delivered all on-stage presentations in English, reinforcing GWM’s intent to position itself as a global technology-driven automaker.

Innoviz advances sensor fusion, edge AI, perception workflows

At CES 2026, Innoviz Technologies announced three major developments that expand its LiDAR and perception ecosystem. The company unveiled InnovizThree’s first fully colored 3D LiDAR with an integrated RGB camera, a compact sensor-fusion module that simplifies OEM integration behind windshields and enables new use cases like drones and robotics. Innoviz also introduced InnovizSMARTer, a LiDAR solution combined with NVIDIA’s Jetson Orin Nano for edge compute, reducing data transmission needs and enabling scalable, wireless 3D perception for smart infrastructure applications such as smart cities and security systems. In parallel, Innoviz announced a strategic partnership with Vueron Technology to integrate Innoviz LiDAR data into Vueron’s cloud-based AI platform, accelerating automated annotation, training, and validation of perception models for automotive and infrastructure AI workloads.

Volkswagen Group taps Qualcomm Snapdragon to power next-gen SDVs from 2027

Volkswagen Group and Qualcomm Technologies announced a Letter of Intent for a long-term strategic supply agreement to power Volkswagen’s next-generation SDV architecture with Snapdragon Digital Chassis solutions. Under the proposed agreement, Qualcomm would become Volkswagen’s primary technology provider for high-performance infotainment and connectivity SoCs for vehicles launching from 2027. This collaboration will also support Volkswagen’s zonal SDV architecture developed for Western markets through its joint venture with Rivian Automotive. The Snapdragon Cockpit Platform will enable immersive, AI-driven digital experiences, OTA updates and scalable infotainment across future EVs built on Volkswagen’s Scalable Systems Platform, including the ID.EVERY1.

The partnership also extends to automated driving. Qualcomm already works with Volkswagen’s Automated Driving Alliance, formed by CARIAD and Bosch to leverage Snapdragon Ride Elite for AI-based, highly automated driving systems with ultra-low latency and real-time decision-making.

Besides, Volkswagen plans to integrate Snapdragon 5G Modem-RF and V2X technologies to enable high-speed connectivity and V2X communication. Overall, the agreement strengthens Volkswagen’s strategy to consolidate semiconductor procurement and accelerate AI and software integration. This will also enable Volkswagen to deliver scalable, future-ready mobility solutions across its global vehicle portfolio.

ProLogium and FEV signal solid-state batteries moving closer to OEM-ready EV platforms

ProLogium Technology partnered with FEV Group to showcase a next-generation solid-state battery module, signaling steady progress toward real-world automotive adoption. The battery is based on ProLogium’s all-inorganic solid-state lithium ceramic technology, which offers higher energy density, improved safety, faster charging and better thermal stability compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries. A key takeaway for OEMs is the importance of design flexibility. In a maximum-range configuration, the battery can enable a driving range of up to 1,000 km within the same vehicle packaging, directly addressing range anxiety in premium EVs. Alternatively, a maximum-lightweight configuration can deliver the same range with a smaller battery, cutting vehicle weight by up to 300 kg, thus improving acceleration, ensuring better energy efficiency and lowering overall battery costs.

Importantly, with the right system design and charging strategy, the solid-state module could achieve 60–80% charging in just 4–6 minutes, while maintaining high safety standards. By making the entire production process transparent from day one, ProLogium and FEV are reinforcing that solid-state batteries are moving beyond the lab and toward scalable, mass-producible EV solutions capable of reshaping long-distance electric mobility. This is further supported by ProLogium’s plans to build a gigafactory in Dunkirk, France, signaling readiness for large-scale manufacturing and strengthening Europe’s electric vehicle ecosystem.

Autolink partners TATA Elxsi, ReinOCS for SDV development, enhancing Deep Fusion architecture

Autolink and TATA Elxsi have partnered to accelerate SDV adoption for global OEMs focusing on centralized smart cockpit and ADAS solutions. TATA Elxsi’s AVENIR suite is designed to offer a scalable and flexible software service framework that supports both cloud-native development and edge platform deployment. This collaboration can boost SDV development for global OEMs with faster, smarter and cost-effective solutions.

Autolink’s Deep Fusion electronic/electrical architecture incorporates ReinOCS’ optical communication solution for quick decision-making and vehicle control. ReinOCS optical solution allows lossless 8K at 60Hz UHD video transmission, supporting all the displays in a vehicle. The designs are reliable enough to support extreme environmental conditions, including temperatures ranging from –40°C to 85°C.

John Deere showcases next-generation harvesting technology

At CES 2026, John Deere showcased the X9 1100 combine, highlighting its next-generation automation and precision agriculture features. Equipped with stereo cameras, GNSS guidance, AI-powered Harvest Settings Automation, and Predictive Ground Speed Automation, the X9 1100 adjusts speed and processing parameters in real time to maximize efficiency and maintain grain quality. The combine can process massive volumes of crops with high precision, and its integration with the John Deere Operations Center allows remote monitoring and data-driven decision-making, reflecting Deere’s focus on smarter, more efficient and technology-driven harvesting.

AUTOCRYPT unveils next-generation vehicle solutions

AUTOCRYPT presented its next-generation vehicle cybersecurity solutions at CES 2026, focusing on protecting connected vehicles across their full lifecycle. The company is introducing its Automotive-CIS (Cybersecurity Infrastructure Standard) as a global benchmark for vehicle security, building on its existing software security infrastructure. AUTOCRYPT demonstrates a complete end-to-end vehicle key management system that protects digital access credentials and secures vehicle-user communication. It also ensures connected mobility security for Digital Key, V2X communications, and Plug & Charge (PnC) processes. It also highlights lifecycle security solutions with risk assessment and automated testing to strengthen resilience throughout development and production. These offerings help OEMs and suppliers to meet global automotive safety standards and address the increasing security demands of software-defined and connected cars.

DXC introduces next-generation automotive software platform AMBER

DXC Technology has introduced its next-generation automotive software platform AMBER to simplify how automakers build, integrate and manage in-vehicle software. Developed by DXC Luxoft, AMBER combines digital cockpit software, infotainment, vehicle HMI, middleware, and cloud integration into a single modular platform. It supports Android Automotive, multi-OS environments and service-oriented architectures, enabling OEMs to reuse software across different vehicle models and hardware setups. The platform includes pre-integrated capabilities for connectivity, over-the-air updates, cybersecurity, functional safety and lifecycle management, reducing complexity and integration effort. AMBER also supports third-party application integration and standardised software building blocks to speed up development and validation. Looking ahead, the platform is designed to support software-defined and connected vehicles, where frequent updates, scalable digital services and faster development cycles are essential.

Texas Instruments accelerates shift toward autonomous vehicles with expanded portfolio

At CES 2026, Texas Instruments (TI) announced a major expansion of its automotive semiconductor portfolio, designed to accelerate the transition toward SDVs and higher levels of autonomy. The centrepiece of this launch was the TDA5 SoC family, a highly scalable SoC series that delivers edge AI performance ranging from 10 to 1,200 TOPS. By integrating a new proprietary neural processing unit (NPU) and a chiplet-ready design, these processors enable automakers to implement everything from basic safety features to SAE Level 3 autonomous driving across their entire fleets using a unified hardware architecture.

To complement this processing power, TI introduced AWR2188, the industry’s first single-chip, eight-by-eight 4D imaging radar transceiver. This device significantly enhances environmental perception by detecting objects at distances exceeding 350 meters while simplifying system design by eliminating the need for complex cascaded radar configurations. Besides, the new DP83TD555J-Q1 Ethernet PHY facilitates the shift toward centralized vehicle architectures by extending 10BASE-T1S Ethernet connectivity to edge nodes, which reduces wiring complexity and cost.

Foresight showcases V2X road safety technology

Foresight Autonomous Holdings, through its subsidiary Eye-Net Mobile, showcased its new Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) collision prevention technology aimed at improving road safety in cities. The system uses existing 4G and 5G mobile networks and works like a virtual sensor. It can warn drivers in real time about dangers they cannot see, such as a pedestrian around a blind corner or a vehicle approaching from a hidden intersection. What makes this technology unique is that it connects vehicles with pedestrians and cyclists using smartphones, helping protect vulnerable road users. Since it is software-based and ready for commercial use, it can scale quickly and cover safety gaps that cameras and LiDAR systems often miss.

Dirac showcases software-defined automotive audio technologies

Dirac showcased its latest software-defined automotive audio technologies, demonstrating how intelligent sound processing can transform in-vehicle listening experiences. At CES 2026, Dirac presented its AudioIQ optimization suite and Dirac Dimensions spatial audio engine with Audio Foundry and Pioneer.

At the Audio Foundry booth, Dirac joined Tymphany and other collaborators to debut a concept system installed in a re-engineered Karma Revero. The system challenges long-held assumptions about in-cabin speaker placement, featuring headrest-mounted speakers for near-field clarity, a conceptual woofer system engineered for full-range authority, and additional experimental locations that defy traditional automotive layouts. With AudioIQ’s intelligent impulse response correction and mixed-phase tuning, Dirac ensures all speakers operate as a unified, reference-grade system regardless of location. Dirac Dimensions Infinity then expands standard stereo content into enveloping multidimensional soundscapes without altering the integrity of the original recording.

At the Pioneer booth, Dirac previews its newest collaboration – the full suite of Dirac automotive solutions built directly into Pioneer’s Integrated Sound Platform (ISP), a next-generation amplifier and signal-processing architecture, showcased in a Volvo XC90. This collaboration brings Dirac’s turnkey solutions into Pioneer’s next-generation amplifier architecture, enabling a more coherent, intelligently corrected soundstage throughout the cabin.

Voyant Photonics unveils solid-state 4D FMCW LiDAR Helium platform

Voyant Photonics has introduced its Helium platform, a fully solid-state 4D frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) LiDAR family built on an advanced silicon photonics chip. It is being positioned as a breakthrough for next-generation sensing in robotics, industrial automation, mobile autonomy and other AI-powered machines. Unlike traditional LiDAR systems that rely on mechanical parts such as MEMS mirrors or rotating units, Helium integrates a dense two-dimensional photonic focal plane array with on-chip beam steering to produce high-resolution 4D point cloud data, meaning it can measure both distance and velocity for every pixel. The design is compact, rugged and scalable for mass production, as it eliminates moving parts, improves reliability and leverages mature silicon-photonics manufacturing processes.

Garmin introduces Unified Cabin 2026

At CES 2026, Garmin unveiled its Unified Cabin 2026 automotive platform, built around a next-generation AI/LLM-based conversational virtual assistant that supports multi-intent, natural-language interactions across multiple languages, retains context for follow-up queries, and executes multiple coordinated actions from a single request using an LLM action model. Running on a single SoC with Android Automotive OS, the platform enables seat-aware audio and display routing so that responses reach the correct occupant, while integrating displays, sensors, lighting, audio, RF, digital key support, personalized themes, immersive lighting and in-cabin audio/video features into a unified, automotive-grade system that OEMs can co-develop and scale for production. The platform also demonstrated a proof of concept integrating Meta’s Neural Band wearable, where electromyography (EMG) signals from a wrist-worn device detect subtle finger gestures to control infotainment functions, adding gesture interaction alongside voice and touch and highlighting the future convergence of wearables and vehicle interfaces.

Another announcement from Garmin was the partnership with Qualcomm on the Nexus automotive-grade high-performance (HPC) platform, which uses the Snapdragon Elite platform. Nexus consolidates multiple vehicle domains, like infotainment, digital clusters and ADAS, into a single compute system.  

trinamiX’s automotive-grade wide-field-of-view dot projector enables health and safety features

At CES 2026, trinamiX GmbH (a subsidiary of BASF) unveiled a revolutionary automotive-grade wide-field-of-view (110 X 80) dot projector designed to transform in-cabin health and safety. By combining this compact laser-based hardware with proprietary AI algorithms and a near-infrared camera, the system enables a comprehensive suite of monitoring functions from a single module. Key features include remote, non-invasive vital sign tracking, such as real-time heart rate monitoring to detect stress or medical emergencies, as well as secure facial authentication for driver identification and in-car payments. Furthermore, the technology enhances physical safety through 3D distance mapping for optimized airbag deployment and advanced seatbelt recognition that uses material detection to ensure belts are fastened correctly.