In recent years CES has been the place to learn about new smartphones and tablets, but with the emergence of the Internet of Things, various kinds of technologies and services have debuted at the show.

This year, it seems one of the highlights of the show is automobiles.  This week’s SmartCar roundup features Google’s alliance for connected automobiles, BMW’s Galaxy Gear car app, Hyundai’s Google Glass partnership, and Ford’s solar roof.

Google’s connected car alliance

Week’s before CES, it was rumored that Google would be unveiling an alliance with car manufacturers to develop an Android-based platform for automobiles.  Google did not disappoint, with the official announcement of the Android-based Open Automotive Alliance.  The new group consists of Google, General Motors, Honda, Audi, Hyundai, and chipmaker Nvidia, and will focus on bringing a successful mobile operating system to in-car entertainment systems “in a way that is purpose built for cars.”

The first cars integrated with the Android platform are expected to hit the market by the end of 2014.

“Millions of people are already familiar with Android and use it everyday,” said Sundar Pichai, SVP of Android, Chrome & Apps at Google. “The expansion of the Android platform into automotive will allow our industry partners to more easily integrate mobile technology into cars and offer drivers a familiar, seamless experience so they can focus on the road.”

BMW+Galaxy Gear

Mercedes-Benz announced its partnership with Pebble, the smartwatch that got its start on Kickstarter, before CES.  Not one to be outdone, BMW and Samsung showed how the Galaxy Gear talks to your car so you can easily check your car’s status and even monitor it remotely.

The Galaxy Gear integration just puts all the dashboard information, like fuel level, as well as traffic updates, to your wrist.  The smartwatch also lets you monitor your car remotely and check if all your doors are locked, windows closed, lights turned off, and so on.

Hyundai+Google Glass+ Covisint

Cloud service provider Covisint announced at CES 2014 that it will deliver Google Glass integration to Hyundai Genesis owners.    What this means is car information will flash before your eyes while you are driving.  But because the display on Google Glass is pretty small, you won’t have to worry about it getting in the line of your vision while driving.  You can use it to check on your car remotely or check the car’s status while driving.  You can also use it to get driving information for unfamiliar places.

“Wearables are a great way to extend the experience outside of the vehicle by leveraging these small screens to quickly access remote features and deliver timely vehicle information,”  said Barry Ratzlaff, executive director of Customer Connect and Service Business Development at Hyundai Motor America.

Let’s just hope not too many establishments ban Google Glass, as owning one would then be more of a problem for forward-thinking consumers. See the video below for Covisint’s vision of a connected auto industry.

Ford’s solar roof

Adoption of electric vehicles isn’t as popular as manufacturers want it to be.  The main reason behind this is because of fewer charging stations compared to the great number of gas stations on the road.

Ford may have finally found the solution to make EVs or even hybrids more appealing to consumers with its C-Max Solar Energi concept car.  What makes this concept car better than other EVs or hybrids is that you don’t have to plug it in to charge it.  You just have to park it somewhere it can soak up the sun’s rays via its solar panel roof.  The C-Max uses Fresnel lenses to concentrate the sun’s rays where it matters most, and the system is able to track the sun’s path to add up to four hours of battery life if you leave it under the sun for a whole day.

photo credit: brendan-c via photopin cc

photo credit: Janitors via photopin cc