Most autonomous cars shown at CES are electrified: previewMost autonomous cars shown at CES are electrified: preview

The annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas has become a major venue for automakers.
Increased interest in connectivity and autonomous driving, as well as collaborations with tech companies, have led to a greater automaker presence at CES, held just before the annual Detroit Auto Show.
Last year, General Motors chose CES, and not the auto show in its hometown, to unveil the production Chevrolet Bolt EV electric car.
DON’T MISS: Fusion Hybrid again used for latest Ford autonomous test vehicle
GM is skipping CES this year, but several other automakers are planning CES reveals.
Most of these new production, prototype, and concept cars emphasize autonomous driving to some degree, and many will feature green powertrains.
Here’s a quick roundup of what we expect to appear at CES.
Chrysler Portal concept, 2017 Consumer Electronics Show
Chrysler Portal concept
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will host its first-ever CES press conference, highlighting its autonomous-car partnership with Waymo and the latest version of its Uconnect infotainment system.
FCA is supplying 100 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid plug-in hybrid minivans to Waymo, which was previously the Google self-driving car project, as test vehicles.
ALSO SEE: Chrysler to reveal new electric car at CES, maybe a minivan: report
It will also display its Chrysler Portal concept, an all-electric minivan that suggests how a partly autonomous people carrier may evolve in the future.
Nearly 20 inches shorter than the current Pacifica, the Portal is powered by a 100-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, allowing for a range of 250 miles, according to Chrysler.
It’s capable of some degree of autonomous driving, and its interior has six seats mounted on rails that allows them to be moved around easily, plus an elaborate infotainment system.
FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne is not a fan of electric cars, having made it abundantly clear that the automaker’s Fiat 500e is strictly a “compliance car” built to satisfy California’s zero-emission mandate.
Teaser for Faraday Future electric car debuting at 2017 Consumer Electronics ShowFaraday Future production electric car
A year after it made its first public appearance at CES, Chinese-backed startup Faraday Future will unveil its first production car at the show.
Various teasers show a vehicle that appears to have the body of a crossover, and Faraday has hinted at some form of autonomous-driving capability, at least as a future goal.
The vehicle will use lithium-ion battery cells from LG Chem, and the Variable Product Architecture platform previewed by the Faraday Future FFZero1 concept from CES 2016.
MORE: Faraday Future falls further: two execs depart, CES car still due
In April, Faraday broke ground on a factory in North Las Vegas, Nevada, not far from the site of CES, coincidentally.
But since then, the company has run into problems.
Work at the site was suspended in November, and two prominent executives recently resigned.
Second-generation Ford Fusion Hybrid automated driving research vehicleFord Fusion Hybrid autonomous-driving prototype
Ford will display its second-generation Fusion Hybrid autonomous testing at CES.
The Dearborn automaker began testing prototypes based on its hybrid mid-size sedan in 2013, but is now upgrading to new cars with better hardware.
The new cars feature three cameras mounted on two rooftop racks, a forward-facing camera mounted underneath the windshield, short- and long-range radar units, and more compact lidar units.
Ford plans to launch a fully-autonomous car in 2021 that will not have any manual controls, and will be offered exclusively to ride-sharing services.

Honda NeuV concept, 2017 Consumer Electronics ShowHonda NeuV concept
Honda will unveil a small autonomous electric commuter car at CES.
The Honda NeuV concept looks like a box on wheels, and was built to demonstrate its maker’s proficiency in autonomous driving and related technologies.
Details are scarce at the moment, but the NeuV will apparently feature a new type of interface called the “Emotion Engine.”
Honda is currently testing prototype autonomous cars based on the RLX Sport Hybrid from its Acura luxury division, and is in talks with Waymo about a partnership.
Hyundai Ioniq autonomous prototypeHyundai Ioniq autonomous-driving prototype
Hyundai first announced a prototype autonomous version of its Ioniq hatchback at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show, but the car will make its public debut at CES.
Cars will be used to give members of the media rides on Las Vegas streets, taking advantage of the fact that Nevada is one of the few states to explicitly legalize the testing of autonomous cars on public roads.
Hyundai hid some of the sensors on its Ioniq prototype for cleaner look, and claims to have created its own operating system, with the goal of using less computing power.
While Hyundai has not discussed a timeline for putting self-driving cars into production, its Kia division has said it wants to commercialize them by 2030.
Rinspeed Oasis concept, 2017 Consumer Electronics ShowRinspeed Oasis concept
Swiss design firm Rinspeed does not build vehicles for sale, instead choosing to focus on unusual concept cars.
The Rinspeed Oasis is a pod-like autonomous electric car designed to be a literal oasis for its occupants.
Designed around the assumption that future autonomous cars will require no input from human drivers, it includes lavish features like a garden, armchair-style seats, and a larger television.
Rinspeed believes the Oasis could be shared among multiple users, serving as personal transportation, a ride-sharing car, or even a delivery vehicle.
Others
Nissan will make a presentation at CES, although the Japanese automaker has not mentioned specifics, with CEO Carlos Ghosn only saying that it will be a “substantial presentation.”
Toyota has said it will unveil a concept car at CES, but has declined to discuss further details.
For full coverage of the happenings in Sin City, head over to our CES news hub.
_______________________________________________
Follow GreenCarReports on Facebook and Twitter

View original article at:  “https://www.greencarreports.com//news/1108098_most-autonomous-cars-shown-at-ces-are-electrified-preview”