[CES 2024] "Control Hundreds of Vehicles at Once with an App"... SDV Changes Mobility

This Year's CES Mobility Keyword is SDV
Vehicle Software Companies Emphasizing SDV Strategy Gain Attention
Sonatus, a Leading SDV Company Backed by Hyundai and LG Investments
Collaboration Expected in Hyundai's Next-Generation SDV as Well

At CES 2024, the world's largest electronics and IT exhibition, a battle over Software Defined Vehicles (SDV) unfolded. While last year’s CES was filled with electric vehicle-related technologies such as dedicated platforms and charging systems, this year’s CES mobility sector was dominated by SDVs.

On the 10th (local time), I visited the booth of Israeli autonomous driving company Mobileye at the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center in the United States. Mobileye, a subsidiary of Intel, has developed advanced autonomous driving systems such as 'SuperVision,' which allows drivers to take their hands off the wheel while keeping their eyes on the road ahead, and 'Shoper,' which enables hands-free driving without the need to watch the road.

Mobileye's autonomous driving system exhibited at CES 2024, the world's largest electronics and IT exhibition held in Las Vegas, USA.
[Photo by Woo Su-yeon]

The company supplies Level 2 advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) to automakers including Volkswagen, Porsche, and Polestar. At this year’s CES, Mobileye unveiled a new operating system called 'DXP' that helps automakers develop customized autonomous driving systems. By using this, automakers can reduce the cost and time required to develop autonomous driving systems on their own.

The Mobileye booth attracted a diverse crowd, from autonomous driving and automaker industry professionals to professors teaching artificial intelligence (AI) in academia. Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun, who toured CES the previous day, also visited the Mobileye booth and showed interest in autonomous driving technology.

Another company that drew attention on-site was the startup 'Sonatus,' which supplies vehicle software to Hyundai Motor, Kia, and Genesis. Sonatus has attracted investments not only from Hyundai Motor’s Cradle but also from LG Electronics, HL Mando, and Japan’s NEC.

At the Sonatus booth, visitors could glimpse the future of SDVs being developed by Hyundai Motor Group. Sonatus showcased vehicle data collection systems and fleet management systems for corporate cars, rental cars, and used car bulk sales. In a virtual driving mode, a speed limit was set for rainy conditions, and water was sprayed onto the rain sensor attached to the vehicle’s front windshield. Then, a warning voice saying “Speed is too fast” was heard, and the vehicle automatically closed its windows.

Sonatus's SDV model structure exhibited at CES 2024, the world's largest electronics and IT exhibition held in Las Vegas, USA
Photo by Woo Su-yeon

Data collection using AI and real-time vehicle management systems are essential elements for fleet businesses, which need to manage many vehicles at once. Giridha AD, an engineer at Sonatus, said, “Using our fleet management system, you can lock or open the doors of more than 100 vehicles. You can manage hundreds of cars with just one smartphone button.”

At this year’s CES, Hyundai emphasized the importance of transitioning to SDVs and mentioned plans to increase the use of SDV systems in fleet businesses. A Sonatus representative said, “Although no official proposal has been made yet, we want to continue working together on Hyundai’s SDV transition.”

In addition, numerous German vehicle software specialists exhibited under the theme of SDVs. Vector unveiled a software package that includes an SDV vehicle operating system. Elektrobit showcased an interactive vehicle OS and demonstrated how cutting-edge technology can solve cybersecurity issues.

Electrobit's SDV structure exhibited at CES 2024, the world's largest electronics and IT exhibition held in Las Vegas, USA.
Photo by Woo Su-yeon