At the CES, Kia demonstrated its autonomous and eco/electric technologies, along with several revealings of its future plans that are enormously impactful in the concerned industry. In other words, the South Korean automobile maker will revolutionize mobility in the next dozen years.
The company’s future plans include:
- car sharing service for European markets in 2018,
- Brand new fuel-cell electric vehicles are due for launch in 2020,
- Level 4 autonomous vehicles across smart cities in 2021,
- 16 electrified vehicles with FCEV, EV, and hybrid power – by 2025,
- Full model range as connected cars by 2030
Kia’s vision is defined as ‘Boundless for all’, and it aims to bring a future with limitless opportunities in the concerned industry. In the words of Dr. Woong-chul Yang, Vice Chairman and Head of Kia R&D Center: the vision “represents a future in which a vehicle can be so much more than the sum of its parts.”
The CES’s automobile manufacturer brought presentations that can collectively be termed as a future ‘Beyond Autonomous Driving.’ The interactive exhibits let the visitors explore the techs via a VR simulator. They as well get to experience the V2X diorama that displays the connectivity of cars with other vehicles and the environment.
By 2025, we will offer a total of 16 advanced powertrain vehicles, with five new hybrids and plug-in hybrids, five new battery EVs, and an all-new mass market FCEV. Due to launch in 2020, this FCEV will spearhead Kia’s efforts to realize a zero-emission future for mobility. – Woong-chul Yang, Vice Chairman and Head of Kia R&D Center
Next, the company will go for operating a large-scale test fleet on public roads starting in 2019 for Kia autonomous technology developments. This will make way for the manufacturer’s plan of 2021, that will be headed by a new Smart City pilot project.
This strategy was further elaborated via Kia’s demonstration of the Niro EV Concept at CES 2018. A combo of modern, stylish SUVs and an advanced battery-electric powertrain symbolizes the concept of the company’s progress in vehicle electrification.
Another among CES exhibitions of the automobile industry includes its newest HMI technologies, autonomous driving features, and the first-ever in-car 5G connection. The innovations were demonstrated via a series of interactive cockpit-style endeavors. The visitors can experiment with the HMI Cockpit at the Convention Center.
Last but not least is Kia’s upcoming Wible (Widely Accessible) car sharing service that debuted in Korea in 2017 and will be starting its global expansion via Europe this year.
These announcements by the South Korean firm at CES 2018 will encourage car fanatics worldwide. If you are one, tell us in the comments how exciting it is to come across Kia’s future car visions in the autonomous industry. Follow this space for our further CES 2018 coverage.
