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What CES 2025 Taught Us About The Future Of Automotive Technology
As I had the opportunity to witness firsthand at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES), it has become increasingly evident that the automotive industry is transforming at an unprecedented rate. My experience at CES 2025 revealed a stark reality: the future of automobiles is rapidly shifting towards software-defined vehicles, generative artificial intelligence, and industrial/agricultural vehicle upgrades.
One of the most significant takeaways was the overwhelming presence of Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs). The industry’s focus has shifted from discussing SDVs to actively developing and implementing them. Infineon Technologies’ Peter Schiefer highlighted the importance of microelectronic dependability and cybersecurity in SDVs, while Mercedes-Benz AG’s Magnus Oestberg emphasized varying expectations between different demographics of drivers.
Furthermore, Artificial Intelligence (AI) was omnipresent throughout the automotive demonstrations, solidifying its role as a crucial component in autonomous developments. Automotive AI is expected to play a pivotal part in improving location mapping or sign recognition in self-driving vehicles. TechCrunch’s Kirsten Korosec and Rebecca Bellan noted that major players like BMW are already integrating Amazon’s Alexa and large language models into upcoming sedans, whereas Qualcomm is leveraging GenAI to enhance the in-cabin experience.
However, it became apparent that AI will not only impact commercial fleets and passenger vehicles but also industrial and agricultural heavy equipment. John Deere unveiled new autonomous-capable machines for farming, quarry operations, and landscaping. Kubota showcased its Agri Concept 2.0, featuring data analytics, AI-powered automation, and electrification as a powertrain option. As CES 2025 demonstrated, the expansion of advanced technologies into these off-highway vehicles will have far-reaching implications beyond transportation, potentially augmenting industrial and agricultural labor.
Several other automotive topics caught my attention during the show: electrification, 5G integration, accessibility, and more. It is imperative to recognize that every major automotive trend exhibited at CES relies on advancements in in-vehicle networking. Any examination of passenger, commercial, or off-highway vehicle functionality must initially focus on a foundational conversation about the future of in-vehicle networks.
In light of the rapid growth of data transmission requirements across all modern vehicles, an improvement to in-vehicle networking is essential. Energy-efficient, high-bandwidth, low-latency data transmission is crucial for seamless integration of features such as LLM-powered AI and over-the-air software updates. Unfortunately, current vehicle architectures lack the necessary infrastructure to support these demands.
In a significant shift from prior conversations, I noticed that discussions about zonal architecture started gaining traction in late 2023 and early 2024. As we move into 2025, this discourse is expected to shift from “How do we develop these systems?” to “How do we make these systems a reality on a global scale?”
As an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs, and technology executives (Forbes Technology Council), I witnessed firsthand the immense potential of automotive AI in various sectors. The boundaries between industries are dissolving, as witnessed by the emergence of generative artificial intelligence, software-defined vehicles, and industrial/agricultural vehicle upgrades.
The time has come to re-evaluate our current in-vehicle network architecture, moving away from domain-based systems towards more efficient zonal architectures that can efficiently manage data transmission.
Source: http://www.forbes.com
