The best landscapes are those we haven't charted yet. For eighteen years, the January trek to Las Vegas has been a required calibration, a forced look past the next rise. Stepping onto the convention floor for CES 2026 will still hold that specific metallic scent of possibility, the hard, bright promise of computation applied to movement.
At my first show, the automotive section was a small, noisy collection of specialized gear: robust aftermarket audio systems and early, screen-mounted GPS units dictating direction in flat voices. Then 2011 arrived, an unmistakable pivot point, when Ford debuted the all-electric Focus. That moment opened the floodgates, turning North Hall into the essential global showroom for high-tech vehicle concepts and mass-production models alike.
The Shifting Focus of Automotive Presence
The spectacle is mutable.
Following the global interruptions of the post-pandemic years, a noticeable re-anchoring occurred. The traditional automakers, those leviathans of mass transit, began shifting away from showcasing full, grand vehicle debuts. Instead, they detailed the skeletal framework of their vehicles—the intense infrastructure supporting the drive.
This focus centers on the deep integration of cutting-edge technologies: the complex computation governing autonomous movement, the sophisticated architectures of infotainment systems, and the smart networking that links cars to broader city systems. The priorities shifted.
This move created necessary clearance. Where the large manufacturers receded, a cohort of newcomers, startups, and specialized mobility entrants moved swiftly in.
CES has trended over the last half-decade toward granular, disruptive innovation. We now expect rigorous detail on artificial intelligence applications, new robotic systems designed for logistics or personalization, and an accelerated presentation of specialized electric vehicle (EV) builders. The show floor now houses intensely specialized technology, focused on solving singular, complex transportation problems.
Air Mobility Takes Flight
It is a certainty of the January schedule: there will be something that leaves the ground.
The evolution of air mobility concepts, from earnest sketches to tangible prototypes, has been one of the most compelling narratives over the last decade of coverage. These are not general concepts anymore; these are machines designed for specific, challenging roles.
Highlights from recent shows illustrate this focused progress:
• 2024 Debut Hyundai's air mobility division, Supernal, unveiled its flight-ready electric air taxi, a defined step toward urban air ride-sharing services.• 2025 Debut XPeng AeroHT, a wing of the Chinese automaker XPeng, presented the Land Carrier—a plug-in hybrid SUV built with the startling capability of deploying a small electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft directly from its rear compartment.
The complexity of these individual solutions—an SUV carrying its own aircraft—underscores the depth of innovation currently directed at the simple act of movement. The era of the speculative concept is closing; the era of highly engineered, often bizarrely specific, mobility systems is fully upon us.
The vast expanse of the American West, with its rugged terrain and sprawling skies, seems an ideal testing ground for the fledgling autonomous and flying car industries. Companies like Joby Aviation and Lilium are pioneering the development of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, which promise to revolutionize urban transportation.
These innovative vehicles, with their sleek designs and quiet electric motors, are poised to transform the way we travel, freeing us from the tedium of traffic congestion and the drudgery of traditional roadways.
As the technology continues to advance, the possibilities seem endless. Imagine soaring above the Grand Canyon, the wind rushing past your face, as you make your way to a remote destination.
Or picture --- commuting to work in a bustling metropolis, effortlessly gliding above the concrete jungle in a vehicle that requires minimal human input.
The prospect of autonomous and flying cars is not only exciting but also potentially game-changing, offering a glimpse into a future where transportation is faster, cleaner, and more efficient.
According to CNET, several companies, including Uber and Google, are actively working on developing autonomous and flying car technology, with some already conducting test flights.
Despite the promise of this emerging technology, there are still significant challenges to overcome.
Looking to read more like this: Check hereCES 2026 will be my 18th time heading to Las Vegas to cover all of the cars and automotive technology at the world's largest tech show.●●● ●●●
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