Automotive startup Byton has unveiled its first drivable concept car at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. With a unique digital design and innovative human-vehicle interaction, the premium SUV functions as a new generation smart device, built for the coming era of truly shared, smart mobility and autonomous driving.
The car concept features semi-autonomous driving, facial recognition technology, seamless connectivity to smart devices, gesture controls and more.
Byton concept leverages smart surfaces beginning with the front grill. LED lights throughout the front highlight the luminescent logo in the middle, along with connecting lines and dots that can switch to different display modes to suit different driving scenarios as well as communicate with users and pedestrians. The rear of the car also adapts the Smart Surfaces design.
Three facial recognition cameras are embedded in the B-pillar on both sides of the car. Side-view cameras replace traditional side mirrors. BYTON Concept also includes an invisible door handle and invisible antennas.
The new SUV leverages electric vehicle architecture to maximize space. A flat floor and absence of a center console convey openness to all cabin occupants. Individually adjustable rear seats provide sofa-like comfort and luxury akin to a premium lounge.
Byton is equipped with multiple screens including a Shared Experience Display replacing the central console in traditional cars. A Driver Tablet and two display screens on the rear-seat entertainment system integrate other content and features as part of the lounge.
The most eye-catching feature is the Shared Experience Display: Its 125 x 25 cm (49 x 9.8 in) screen automatically adjusts brightness according to changes in light, with a unique horizontal layout enabling content shown to be shared with other passengers in the car.
Additional features include a wooden floor, leather seats and interior color matching. Front seats can rotate 12 degrees inwards, creating a shared space where occupants can interact with each other and the Shared Experience Display, even from the rear seats.
Byton concept features a different method of unlocking the car: face recognition cameras recognize the driver or passenger to unlock the door. The concept car also recognizes driver and passenger information to auto-adjust seat angles, entertainment options and other information according to user preferences and usage.
User profiles auto-enabled for every Byton. No matter which car the driver sits in, his or her profile can be downloaded from the cloud to the car, making the customer feel as if every Byton is his/her own car.
The Byton concept car also introduces the Air Touch for an advanced gesture control experience. This feature allows for display control via easy hand gestures at any position within the car. For example, users can caption a location with a grabbing motion in the air, and then put it into the maps function in the middle of the display to start the navigation.
The Driver Tablet allows the driver to control the Shared Experience Display, navigation, seat adjustment and other functions. The sides of the tablet integrate few physical buttons in the car such as the volume control. In collaboration with Amazon, BYTON has also integrated Alexa Voice into its in-car voice control system.
Byton says it will build the car in Nanjing, China, starting in 2019. The car will come to the U.S. and Europe starting in 2020. Using the same platform, Byton also plans to follow this vehicle up with a sedan and a multi-purpose vehicle.
all images courtesy of Byton