The 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has come to a close, and one thing is clear: the automotive industry is undergoing a significant transformation. While traditional US and European automakers were noticeably absent, Chinese automakers like Zeekr, Wey, and Xpeng filled the void, showcasing their latest electric vehicles and transportation technologies. The West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, typically bustling with vehicle and transportation tech, felt emptier than previous years, with some of the biggest announcements having little to do with new EVs or physical products.

Instead, the focus shifted towards autonomous vehicle technology, artificial intelligence, and micromobility. Japanese company Tier IV, May Mobility, Waymo, and Zoox were among the autonomous vehicle companies that had a significant presence at the show. Zoox even offered robotaxi rides to the media, giving a glimpse into the future of transportation. Other companies like John Deere and Kubota showcased their agriculture-focused autonomous technologies, while startups like Polymath Robotics demonstrated their self-driving systems for off-road environments.

Nvidia continued to partner with various companies, providing its technology to support automated driving and advanced driving assistance systems. The chipmaker's commitment to providing a comprehensive self-driving stack, from testing and simulation to onboard supercomputers and cloud supercomputing, was evident. Its collaboration with Toyota, which will see Nvidia's tech power Toyota's future vehicles, was a notable example. Nvidia also partnered with self-driving trucking company Aurora Innovation and automotive supplier Continental to integrate its Drive Thor SoC and DriveOS into the Aurora Driver.

Another surprising partnership was between Nvidia and Uber, which plans to use Nvidia's new world model simulation tool, Cosmos, and cloud-based AI supercomputing platform, DGX Cloud, to support the development of autonomous vehicle technology. While the ride-hailing giant didn't share its plans, it's clear that Uber is looking to bring self-driving services to its platform through partnerships with AV companies.

Screens were also a major theme at CES 2025, with companies pushing the boundaries of traditional display technology. Valeo showcased its panovision technology, which will be integrated into BMW's next-generation Neue Klasse vehicles, featuring a full screen along the base of the windshield. Hyundai Mobis, on the other hand, demonstrated a holographic screen that covers the entire windshield, providing information like navigation and music playlists.

Generative AI, a trend that started last year, was also prominent at CES 2025. BMW partnered with Amazon to integrate its Alexa custom assistant technology into its future vehicles, allowing for more extensive spoken commands using natural language. Qualcomm, meanwhile, came to CES with improvements to its Snapdragon Digital Chassis and Cockpit, including generative AI features that enable real-time detection of distracted or drowsy driving, biometric identification, and personalized navigation recommendations.

Finally, despite the struggles of shared scooter and ebike businesses, micromobility was alive and well at CES 2025. Chinese brands like Vmax, Aima Technology Group, and Heybikes exhibited their latest ebikes and scooters, while Verge Motorcycles subsidiary Donut Lab released an electric motor that can be integrated directly into the tire.

In conclusion, CES 2025 marked a significant shift in the automotive industry's focus towards autonomous vehicle technology, AI, and micromobility. While traditional automakers were absent, Chinese companies and startups filled the void, showcasing their latest innovations. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these trends shape the future of transportation.