NEVS InMotion Autonomous People Pod Debuts At CES Asia - VIDEO

At the CES Asia show in Shanghai last week, NEVS, the Chinese successor to Saab, unveiled its InMotion autonomous people moving pod that embodies its vision for urban transport of the future. Looking very much like a horizontal self service elevator, InMotion offers users a high degree of customization to make their journey as connected and pleasant as possible.

InMotion is app controlled. Users can set the seating configuration, lighting, and sound system output remotely. It is powered by electric motors and charges using wireless technology. Doors open wide to promote mobility for all passengers and are located next to the curb to minimize the possibility of conflicts between passengers and other vehicles.

Inside, the side glass panels become screens for watching video content. The chairs can swivel to face in any direction and recline for those who want to catch a quick snooze on the way to work or to relax after a hard day’s night of serious partying.

The NEVS press release claims the InMotion concept was designed for a future where shared vehicles are the norm and private car ownership is less popular than it is today. Autonomous cars are expected to reduce congestion, as one self driving pod could replace up to 10 cars on busy city streets.

The InMotion concept is similar to the Sedric autonomous people pod Volkswagen had on display at the Shanghai auto show earlier this year. When you come right down to it, there are only so many styling opportunities for horizontal elevators.

In fact, many manufacturers are working on similar vehicles. Elon Musk has said he thinks he could build a 10 passenger bus for urban driving duties using the chassis of the Model X electric SUV. Most industry observers predict city dwellers will soon tire of the fight to find an available parking space and struggle through congested streets.

Electric, computer controlled transportation devices seem the perfect answer to urban transportation. What happens outside the city limits where suburbia sprawls to the horizon in every direction is still an issue waiting for a solution, however.

Source: CNET Road Show

Cadillac and Shanghai OnStar show 4G LTE, CarLife app and Apple Watch app

At CES Asia, which opened today in Shanghai, Cadillac and GM’s Shanghai OnStar joint venture are showing China’s first automotive 4G LTE telematics service along with the CarLife app; the My Cadillac app; and an Apple Watch app.

Later this year, Cadillac will become the initial vehicle brand in China to offer 4G LTE telematics service. Shanghai OnStar’s partnership with China Mobile, the world’s largest wireless telecom carrier, will support a fast, stable, reliable, safe and convenient telematics network.

Cadillac is also taking advantage of CES Asia to introduce the CarLife app, which will begin appearing in Cadillac models in China in 2015. The technology projects vehicle service information from a user’s smartphone onto the vehicle’s touch screen. It supports various mobile device operating systems, including Android and iOS.

In addition, CES Asia visitors can experience the MyCadillac app for smartphones and an Apple Watch equipped with the OnStar app. The technology allows users to lock and unlock vehicle doors, remotely start their engine, flash their headlights and sound their horn, locate parking spots and access real-time information about vehicle systems.