At this year’s CES, car manufacturers aimed to present the future of automobiles rather than the actual cars. Notable exceptions were Sony Honda Mobility’s AFEELA 1 and its SUV prototype. Some companies introduced new or updated models recently, separate from CES.
On the CES 2026 exhibition floor, the spotlight was on artificial intelligence, self-driving technology, safety innovations, and enhancing cars with extensive computing capabilities. Here’s a summary of the prominent automotive and mobility trends from CES 2026.
Sony Honda Mobility is steadfast in its goal of creating electric vehicles. The AFEELA 1, initially revealed three years ago, was showcased in a more polished iteration this year, with a starting price of $89,900. The company also presented the AFEELA 1 Prototype, a future SUV model anticipated to go into production by 2028, highlighting Sony Honda’s serious dedication to intelligent electric vehicles.
Tensor’s Robocar, a lavish and avant-garde electric car, was highlighted at CES 2026. This AI and RoboCar firm stresses the significance of AI in transportation. The Robocar is capable of interacting with users, delivering traffic information, and making situational decisions while on the road. Tensor intends to boost production in the latter half of 2026.
Nvidia’s exhibition at CES 2026 centered on “physical AI,” encompassing AI technologies executing intricate tasks in the tangible realm, including self-driving cars. Mercedes-Benz, a collaborator, demonstrated AI-driven driving utilizing Nvidia’s Alpamayo model and revealed intentions for a robotaxi service by 2027.
AI assistants emerged as a significant trend, with car manufacturers showcasing their features. BMW demonstrated its assistant powered by Amazon Alexa+ in the BMW iX3, while Ford unveiled plans for an intelligent assistant to debut on smartphones before appearing in vehicles in 2027. Sony’s AFEELA 1 is set to incorporate a Microsoft Azure OpenAI-driven assistant, and Tensor’s AI Agent will evaluate sensor data and adapt to user preferences.
In spite of the futuristic focus, some manufacturers like Xiaomi and Volvo unveiled or hinted at new models at CES. Xiaomi’s revamped SU7 electric sedan underscores safety, while Volvo teased its electric SUV, the EX60, boasting impressive range metrics ahead of its scheduled launch on Jan. 21.
Check out the Mashable CES 2026 hub for the newest news and updates from the largest event in technology.