CES 2026: Automotive Trends Lean Toward AI Amid EV Market Realities

Cerence made its pitch for the future of in-car AI at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich this last September: ditch reactive assistants, embrace agentic co-pilots. The company’s latest updates to Cerence xUI™ promise to transform chatty infotainment systems into proactive AI partners that understand context, anticipate needs, and make driving (and even working) smarter and safer. Image Credit: Cerence via TechEdge ai (2025)

CES 2026: Automotive Trends Lean Toward AI Amid EV Market Realities

By Edmund Jenks - EVHNews - January 02, 2026

As the calendar flips to 2026, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas is once again upon us, promising a spectacle of innovation. However, for those tracking the electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid sectors, the event's pivot toward robots and "living with AI" might feel like a detour from the hardware-heavy showcases of yesteryears. Electric Vehivle & Hybrid News (EVHNews), ever the observer of market ebbs and flows, notes that while futuristic EVs will still make appearances, the real buzz this year centers on the software ecosystems powering them ... a timely shift given the evident retreat in EV demand, contrasted by the surging growth in AI applications.

Here's a grounded look at what to anticipate in the automotive space at CES 2026, where hype meets hard economic truths.

Will SONY-Honda reveal onboard electronics seen in the Afeela 1 to the Honda 0 SUV introduces in 2025 as well? Lookin' forward for the CES 2026 experience. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks - EVHNews (2025)

SONY-Honda Returns with Incremental Updates

Last year's CES introduced the Afeela 1, the inaugural EV from the Sony-Honda Mobility (SHM) partnership, complete with a static demo of its infotainment setup. For 2026, SHM is set to unveil a "pre-production" iteration of the Afeela 1, accompanied by a fresh concept vehicle. EVHNews questions the tangible differences here; the 2025 model already appeared polished and production-adjacent, suggesting this label might be more marketing flair than meaningful progress.

Production is slated to commence sometime in 2026, with initial availability limited to California - a cautious rollout that aligns with the broader EV market's cooling enthusiasm. As consumer interest wanes amid economic pressures and uneven infrastructure, such measured steps reflect a sector recalibrating after overpromising.

Software-Defined Vehicles: The Very Quiet Revolution

If there's a unifying thread at CES 2026, it's the maturation of software-defined vehicles (SDVs), a concept that's evolved from buzzword to necessity. Automakers are increasingly prioritizing post-purchase evolution over static hardware, emphasizing operating systems, over-the-air (OTA) updates, and adaptable software architectures.

Firms like P3 will spotlight Android Automotive-based platforms, enabling ongoing feature rollouts, app integrations, and services. For drivers, this promises enhanced infotainment and longevity; for manufacturers, it's a pathway to recurring revenue. EVHNews appreciates the pragmatism here, especially as EV sales stutter - U.S. figures peaked in late 2025 before plummeting post-incentive expiration, prompting giants like GM and Ford to slash EV investments in favor of hybrids and traditional powertrains that sustain profitability.

Yet, the spotlight intensifies on "agentic AI," where systems proactively decide for users - handling route optimization, energy efficiency, and adaptive driver aids. This isn't mere voice assistance; it's AI anticipating needs in real-time. While EVHNews harbors skepticism about EVs' faltering demand, we sees undeniable momentum in AI's expansion, potentially revitalizing vehicles as smart companions. Still, concerns linger: How much autonomy will drivers cede, and at what cost to privacy in an era of data-driven decisions?

Tempered Expectations: From Flash to Functionality

CES 2025 brimmed with ambitious EV declarations, but 2026 appears poised for a sobering dose of reality. Analysts describe the auto industry as entering "EV realism," where electrification remains aspirational but timelines stretch amid fragmented demand and ideological fatigue. EVHNews concurs, pointing to the retreat in market fervor - sales dips have forced a refocus on hybrids, trucks, and SUVs that actually drive volume, rather than chasing unattainable all-EV utopias.

Consequently, the automotive narrative at CES may underwhelm in spectacle, favoring supplier innovations in chips, sensors, robotics, and manufacturing tech. This subdued tone isn't a setback, per EVHNews; it's a maturation. As AI surges forward, integrating seamlessly into hybrid and EV platforms alike, it could bridge the gap left by retreating EV hype, fostering sustainable growth in a more balanced mobility landscape.

For EV and hybrid enthusiasts, CES 2026 underscores a pivotal truth: The future isn't just electric ...it's intelligent, adaptable, and attuned to market realities. Stay tuned to EVHNews.com for on-the-ground insights as the show unfolds.

... notes from The EDJE

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TAGS: #CES2026, #AutomotiveTrends, #AIinCars, #SoftwareDefinedVehicles, #EVMarket, #Afeela1, #SonyHonda, #AgenticAI, #EVRealism, #HybridShift, #OTAApdates, #AndroidAutomotive, #AutoTech, #MobilityFuture, #EVHNews, #TheEDJE

Czinger 21C Dominates Laguna Seca Once More In Epic Hypercar Rivalry

Professional driver Joel Miller is once again behind the wheel of a lap of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca record setting effort in a Czinger manufactured hypercar. Image Credit: Czinger Vehicles via Road & Track (2025)

Czinger 21C Dominates Laguna Seca Once More In Epic Hypercar Rivalry

The hypercar world witnesses an ongoing saga of speed and innovation as California's own Czinger Vehicles reclaims the production car lap record at the legendary WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. On December 9, 2025, the groundbreaking 21C hypercar, powered by its revolutionary 3D-printed architecture and hybrid V8 drivetrain, posted an astonishing lap time of 1:22.30, putting nearly two full seconds between itself and the previous mark set by its Swedish rival.

This latest triumph marks the continuation of a fierce yet respectful battle that has captivated performance enthusiasts since 2024. While the Nürburgring remains a distant arena for many, Laguna Seca's challenging 2.238-mile layout—with its iconic Corkscrew and demanding elevation changes—has emerged as the premier proving ground for boutique hypercar manufacturers like Czinger and Koenigsegg. The Czinger team returned to the Monterey Peninsula for their fourth record attempt, determined to showcase the full potential of their American-engineered masterpiece under ideal conditions.

The record's history reflects relentless pursuit of excellence. Czinger first seized the crown in July 2021 with a prototype 21C timing 1:25.44, holding it for over three years. Koenigsegg struck back in August 2024 with the Jesko's 1:24.86, only for Czinger to respond with improved times in August 2024 and July 2025, dipping to 1:24.39. The Swedes reclaimed it briefly in November 2025 via the Sadair's Spear at 1:24.16. Now, with this decisive 1:22.30, the California-based innovator has raised the bar significantly.

Behind the wheel, again, was accomplished racer Joel Miller, a native Hesperia Californian who has piloted the 21C to previous records. His latest effort overcame earlier setbacks, including an off-track incident in July 2025, demonstrating remarkable precision in the 1250-horsepower machine. Both competitors adhered to Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires for fairness, and the new time was independently verified by Racelogic, ensuring undisputed legitimacy.

Lukas Czinger, co-founder and CEO, attributed the breakthrough to optimal sunny weather and refined engineering insights. Simulations highlighted gains on the front straight and ascent to the Corkscrew, where maximized electric motor assistance delivered higher exit speeds. He emphasized how the 21C's advanced design and manufacturing technologies translate directly to superior on-track performance, praising his team's unyielding drive for perfection while expressing admiration for the competitive spirit that propels the industry forward.

This substantial margin may deter immediate challenges, yet the mutual respect between these pioneers promises continued evolution in hypercar capabilities.

... notes from The EDJE

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Deep Dive On The The Start Of Joel Miller RaceCar Driver

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Driven To Race documentary movie poster outside of premiere screening which kicked off the 2010 MAZDASPEED Motorsports Star Mazda Race Series season. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2010)

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Rahal Letterman Lanigan Land Mick Schumacher – A New Chapter Written In Quiet Confidence

Mick Schumacher officially unveiled in RLL black: No. 47 Honda, full-time 2026, ready to take on ovals, streets, and everything INDYCAR throws at him. A new chapter begins. Image Credit: NICS ZOOM Call Video (2025)

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Land Mick Schumacher – A New Chapter Written In Quiet Confidence

In the often theatrical world of modern motorsport announcements, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing chose understatement. 

A simple press release on Monday, followed by a Tuesday morning ZOOM Call, confirmed what had been whispered for weeks: Mick Schumacher, 43-race Formula 1 veteran and three-time World Endurance Championship podium finisher, will drive the No. 47 Honda full-time in the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The move is seismic, yet the tone from team owner Bobby Rahal, president Jay Frye, and Schumacher himself was characteristically Midwestern: measured, pragmatic, and already focused on the work ahead.

Bobby Rahal, the 1986 Indianapolis 500 champion turned team principal, opened with credit where it was unequivocally due. “I give tremendous credit to Jay for really making this all happen,” he said of Frye, the former INDYCAR competition czar who has injected new life into RLL since taking the reins earlier this year. Rahal also singled out sportscar veteran Dirk Müller for facilitating the initial introduction. In an era of manufactured drama, Rahal’s willingness to share the spotlight felt refreshingly joyful and authentic.

Jay Frye, a man who has closed more difficult deals than most team presidents ever attempt, described the courtship with the calm of someone who knew the outcome weeks ago. A four-day evaluation in October – simulator runs, seat fits, and finally a full-day private test on the Indianapolis road course – convinced everyone involved. “It was pretty quick,” Frye said with a grin. “After those four days, Mick had 150 new followers inside the team.” The mechanics, engineers, and fabricators had voted with their enthusiasm long before any contract was signed.

Mick Schumacher appeared on the press conference call from Europe, polite and composed, carrying the quiet gravitas that comes from growing up as Michael Schumacher’s son. When asked about reclaiming his familiar No. 47 – the number he created in Formula 1 by merging the unavailable 4 and 7 – he allowed himself a small, private smile. “There were so many little funny twists with that number,” he said. That INDYCAR had it available felt almost predestined, another subtle thread connecting past and future.

Rahal was characteristically blunt about what sealed the deal. “Everybody was impressed with Mick – not just his pace, but his persona, his humility, the way he went about his work.” Coming from a team owner who once employed drivers of the caliber of Kenny Bräck, Buddy Lazier, and Ryan Hunter-Reay, the praise carried weight. Rahal declared the 2026 trio of Schumacher, Graham Rahal, and reigning Rookie of the Year Louis Foster the strongest three-car lineup in the team’s history – a bold statement from a man not prone to hyperbole.

Frye laid out the aggressive integration plan with military precision: four dedicated oval tests, two additional road-course days, and a single street-course session at Sebring. The schedule is deliberately front-loaded to compress Schumacher’s learning curve before the season opener in St. Petersburg. For a driver who has never competed on an oval at speed, the program is ambitious, but no one on the ZOOM Call betrayed even a flicker of doubt.

Schumacher addressed the inevitable European question about oval danger with a maturity that silenced skeptics. “Motorsports on the whole is dangerous,” he said, echoing a truth American open-wheel fans have lived with for generations. He specifically credited Frye and INDYCAR’s safety advancements for giving him confidence. It was the answer of someone who had done far more than skim headlines – he had studied the data, spoken to the right people, and made peace with the risk.

The contrast with his Formula 1 experience could not have been clearer. In F1, Schumacher noted, “you have a pretty good idea where you’re going to finish before the lights go out.” INDYCAR, by contrast, is glorious uncertainty. “Almost anybody can win a race,” he said, and the hunger in his voice was unmistakable. After two seasons largely spent on the sidelines at Haas, he is returning to a formula where driver skill can still overturn the odds.

Bobby Rahal: 1986 Indy 500 champion, team owner, and the man who just built RLL’s strongest ever lineup. Quietly
reloading for 2026. Image Credit: NICS ZOOM Call Video (2025)

Louis Foster, the soft-spoken Englishman who claimed the 2025 Rookie of the Year title in a dramatic late-race pass at Portland combined with a dramatic late race swing at the season finale at Nashville now finds himself measuring against the ultimate yardstick. Foster’s meteoric rise – Indy NXT champion in 2024, consistent top-six runner in his debut INDYCAR season – suddenly shares garage space with a global name. The internal competition has been elevated to a level RLL has rarely enjoyed.

Graham Rahal, long the standard-bearer for the family legacy, sounded genuinely energized by the new dynamic. With his oval expertise, Foster’s road-course brilliance, and Schumacher’s elite single-seater pedigree, the trio forms a complementary whole greater than the sum of its parts. For the first time in years, RLL enters an offseason believing it can fight for podiums on every weekend, not just the ones that suit the car - as it seemed to be the case at some event venues in 2025.

Behind the scenes, Frye has orchestrated a quiet revolution. Gavin Ward, fresh from engineering Josef Newgarden to the 2023 championship, is already embedded in the Schumacher program. New personnel – some already announced, many more still under wraps – are flowing into the Indianapolis shops. The team that limped to inconsistent results for much of the past decade is being rebuilt from the ground up.

When pressed for specific goals, Schumacher refused the trap of premature promises. “Everything will be new – tracks, ovals, teammates,” he said. Success, for now, is measured in adaptation and integration rather than trophies. It was the answer of a driver who has learned the hard way that motorsport punishes hubris.

Bobby Rahal, ever the realist, defined victory in terms any longtime INDYCAR observer would recognize: consistent competitiveness on every type of circuit, week in and week out. “This is a tough series,” he reminded everyone. “Everything has to go your way to win.” Yet for the first time in a long time, Rahal Letterman Lanigan believes the pieces are finally aligned for everything to go their way more often than not.

As the ZOOM Call ended and the screen went to check-out mode ... one truth lingered. Mick Schumacher is not coming to INDYCAR as a refugee from Formula 1 or a marketing exercise. He is coming because he believes this is the purest, most demanding single-seater racing on earth – and because Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, under Jay Frye’s relentless direction, is finally positioned to prove him right.

The sun, as Bobby Rahal likes to say, has indeed risen on the horizon. Come March in St. Petersburg, the No. 47 Honda will roll to the grid carrying more than a famous name. It will carry the quiet, steely expectation that a sleeping giant in American open-wheel racing has finally awakened.

... notes from The EDJE

TAGS: #MickToIndyCar, #MickSchumacher, #RLLRacing, #No47Honda, #INDYCAR2026, #RahalLettermanLanigan, #JayFrye, #BobbyRahal, #LouisFoster, #GrahamRahal, #OvalReady, #StPete2026, #TheEDJE

Solving The Hard In Hard-Tech Development: SEMA ETTN Panel Scales Prototype Realities At FutureTech Studio

SEMA's FutureTech Studio presentation and discussion panel on "Scaling From Prototype To Manufacturable Product" was
held Day 1 of the 2025 SEMA Show. Image Credit: SEMA News Editors (2025)

Solving The Hard In Hard-Tech Development: SEMA ETTN Panel Scales Prototype Realities At FutureTech Studio

In the heart of the SEMA Show's Emerging Trends and Technology Network studio, a panel titled "Solving The Hard In Hard-Tech Development" unpacked the gritty realities of hardware innovation on November 4, 2025. Moderated by Motivo CBO Michael Konig, the discussion featured Glīd founder and CEO Kevin A. Damoa, BOOSTane Octane Engineering's Ian Lehn, and Motivo CTO Damon Pipenberg. These veterans of automotive aftermarket and advanced mobility shared battle-tested insights on turning concepts into scalable realities, proving that hardware's hurdles demand more than engineering prowess - they require adaptability, grit, and a laser focus on mission.

Michael Konig kicked off by highlighting the diverse expertise at the table, from race fuels to off-grid power systems and autonomous heavy-haul vehicles. He noted hardware's reputation for being capital-intensive and slow to fund, yet the SEMA floor buzzed with proof that innovators persist. The panelists introduced themselves with credentials that spanned military service, SpaceX rocket transport innovations, sustainable overlanding tech, and decades in vehicle prototyping, setting the stage for a no-nonsense exchange on overcoming assumptions in product development.

Platforms from GLID revolutionize logistics by synchronizing road and rail utilizing autonomous vehicles and AI. GLID believes their solutions eliminate bottlenecks, cut carbon, and unlock underutilized infrastructure - delivering safer, smarter, and more resilient freight networks for commerce, communities, and defense. Image Credit: Dean Case via LinkedIn (2025)

GLID designed railway wheels and road wheels are included on every platform for ease in transition and transport flow.
Image Credit: Motivo via LinkedIn (2025)

Kevin Damoa recounted his SpaceX days, where Elon Musk's vision demanded transporting Falcon 9 rockets via ship instead of traditional roads. The rocket's slimmer 14-foot circumference - designed to clear bridges - required a transport apparatus that maintained pressurization, balanced dynamics over 74 feet, and complied with 49 CFR regulations. "You take a shot with the team, a lot of testing, and employ authority," Damoa said, emphasizing iterative design under emergent tech constraints. This project shattered road-only norms, blending industrial design with real-world rigor.

BOOSTane - Octane boosters work by increasing the gasoline’s octane rating through the introduction of high-octane components, which make the fuel more resistant to knocking and pre-ignition. They also contain detergents and stabilizers to help keep the fuel system clean and improve engine performance. Image Credit: BOOSTane FB/META Timeline (2025)

Ian Lehn drew from Forged Authority Off-Grid, where promoting extended off-grid adventures meant ditching noisy generators for wind turbines. In wind-rich but sun-scarce regions like the Ohio Valley, the challenge was a turbine with sufficient form factor for campsite power, yet transportable over rocks and quick to deploy without hogging space. "Break it down to parts, focus on each variable, then assemble the whole - like eating the whale one bite at a time," Lehn explained, illustrating how modular problem-solving yielded marketable iterations.

Motivo’s publicly acknowledged client base includes names like Faraday Future, Nissan, BMW, Eaton, and
Panasonic. Privately, they’re working with others in the automotive and electronics industries as well.
Image Credit: Motivo via Digital Trends (2017)

Damon Pipenberg shared Motivo's decade-old supercar prototype, where 3D-printed chassis nodes challenged steel-stamped norms. Early additive manufacturing spat out parts riddled with holes and cracks, but relentless testing evolved the tech. Today, that vehicle holds lap records, races competitively, and influences aerospace and defense. "From something no one believed would work to production reality," Pipenberg reflected, underscoring how prototyping validates disruptive processes.
Diving into resource-heavy prototyping, Lehn championed rapid iteration: "A good plan today beats a perfect one tomorrow." He advocated 3D printing ideas by lunch, then breaking them physically to reveal flaws early - especially for budget-constrained startups. Damoa stressed partnerships, integrating proven chassis and autonomy tech with Glīd's Raiden, a truck-train-forklift hybrid that hauls 20-foot containers onto rail tracks. "Partner with leaders to deploy a system that works right out of the gate and scales reliably," he advised.
Pipenberg pushed bench testing for risk reduction: "Test early, break things on the whiteboard or in CAD - changes get costlier with scale." At Motivo, failure in prototypes is celebrated if it informs fixes before mass production. This segued to manufacturing scaling, where Damoa highlighted mixed mediums like 3D-printed titanium meshes alongside traditional chassis for form-fit-function testing. Lehn warned against design paralysis from evolving tech: "Products evolve; build platforms that accept upgrades to avoid obsolescence."
Technology On Display In The FutureTech Studio: A Glimpse into the Next Era of Mobility at the 2025 SEMA Show >>> Pivotal Aero

Pivotal Aero Emergency Medical Services - Enabling rapid aerial response to medical emergencies, significantly reducing
time to care. Quickly access remote or congested areas with trained EMS Response Doctor or Technician where ground vehicles
are delayed. Image Credit: Stefan Pagnani, EVVTOL Tech Nation (2025)

Unlike most eVTOLs, the Helix doesn’t move its rotors to adjust its attitude. Instead, the entire airframe tilts upward for vertical takeoff and landing, and shifts to horizontal to cruise up to 32 kilometers (20 miles) at a software-limited 103-kilometer-per-hour (64 mile-per-hour) top speed. The design helps make the Helix less daunting for rookie pilots; a single by-wire joystick controls every aspect of flight. Karklin says pilots can spend their time hovering, cruising, or banking, rather than constantly monitoring instruments that include battery state of charge and navigation. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2025)

The panel pinpointed the "Optimism Gap" between engineering ideals and production ROI. Pipenberg noted small teams wearing multiple hats prevent tunnel vision, ensuring parts are makeable and fundable. Damoa invoked Mars missions: "Take bite-sized steps you can pay for, aligning engineering, procurement, and finance for revenue-generating products." Avoiding ultrafuturistic vacuums keeps ventures alive.
Team motivation amid long cycles hinged on mission alignment. Damoa recruits for character tied to unchanging goals: "Products evolve, but the mission drives acceptance of failures cascading into progress." Lehn reframed setbacks: "Learn from losses, spotlight what we gained early - better now than in mass production." Pipenberg encouraged expecting failure: "Hide flaws, and they become cancer later; test like racing to ensure race-day reliability."
Leaders' personal failure handling revealed resilience. Lehn builds calluses through small wins, like hiring passionate talent or cross-panel inspirations. Damoa measures in inches, leaning on faith, family, and military principles: "Protect your teammate, own everything - failure builds content, not constant happiness." Pipenberg, shaped by Formula SAE breakdowns, instills: "Hope it breaks first time; give space to fail and retry for true success."
Looking ahead five years, Lehn flagged external factors like tariffs, urging future-proof designs adaptable to legislation. Damoa eyed reindustrialization: "Pair human jobs with robotics smartly - regain manufacturing sexiness without displacement." Pipenberg saw AI and automation's hype as a double-edged sword: "Discern what works to stay ahead; rapid change is opportunity for competitive edge."

The future is human. AI and automation are tools, not replacements. The best builders use both. From Left to Right - Damon Pipenberg (Motivo), Ian Lehn (BOOSTane Octane Engineering), Kevin A. Damoa (Glīd), and as moderator Michael Konig (Motivo). Image Credit: Motivo via LinkedIn (2025)

Wrapping up, advice crystallized hard-tech wisdom. Damoa: "Find the problem that's actually a problem and solve it - that's paying rent for your place on Earth, creating generational value." Lehn added passion to weather dark times. Pipenberg kept it simple: "Build stuff you're interested in, break it with friends and customers, enjoy the process."
The session underscored adaptability over perfection in hardware. Every product faces new tech, rules, or realities - build for change.
Failure is design's ally; top teams break early, fix fast, and expose ugly truths before they metastasize.
Mission endures while products evolve; align teams to it for sustained motivation through walls and discards.
Scalable ROI trumps elegance - bridge the Optimism Gap with cross-functional hats and fundable steps.
The future remains human; AI and robots are tools, not replacements - pair them wisely with reinvigorated manufacturing. As Damoa encapsulated, solving real problems secures your legacy in this temporary world.
... notes from The EDJE





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