CONSUMER ELECTRICS SHOW (CES) 2014

Last week over 152,000 technical gurus from around the globe attended the Consumer Electrics Show in Las Vegas (CES 2014). They are all involved in creating, developing, manufacturing and marketing future tech and the gadgets we’ll all be using in the near future, whether at home, work or on the go. Add to the mix a large contingent of geeks and journalists and it must be quite an event.

Some of the gems launched over the years include:

1971 The Video Cassette Recorder

1975 The ‘pong’ home gaming console (blip blip)

1982 CD Player

1984 The Amiga Home Computer

1988 The Debut of Tetris

Beyond that a plethora of mobile phones, computers and tablets and products that didn’t quite make the grade who can remember Betamax Home Recorder or 3D television? ;-)

This year saw a few interesting developments that could be seen on the streets (racetrack) or in our cars in the very near future and we’ve picked out five launches that caught our eye.

1. INNOVATIVE APPS FOR YOUR VEHICLE

Using an Aha smartphone app, this cloud-based platform delivers over 40,000 programmes from the web including location based services straight to your dashboard.

2. BMWS THAT DRIVE AND DRIFT THEMSELVES

At this years’ CES, BMW unveiled its self-driving cars that can drift around bends.

Both the 2-Series Coupe and 6-Series Gran Coupe have been modified to use a 360-degree radar, ultrasonic sensors and cameras to sense and adapt to their surroundings.

With the current self-parking cars and now soon to be self-driving, let’s hope these software-controlled cars help decrease the number of accidents on the roads.

Watch the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHRcHG7fCro

3. FORD'S SOLAR-POWERED C-MAX SOLAR ENERGI CONCEPT

The Ford C-MAX Solar Energi was unveiled at CES 2014 and boasted a first-of-its-kind solar collector roof that potentially collects enough energy to fully recharge the batteries.

Ford claims it has: "the potential to deliver the best of a plug-in hybrid without depending on the electric grid for fuel."

4. TOYOTA i-ROAD

Toyota's i-ROAD is a one/two seater (depending on the size of you both!) which reaches top speeds of 28mph.

It is designed for commuting as it negotiates small spaces easily due to the fact that it is no wider than a standard motorbike, but can be driven like a car thanks to intelligent front wheels that automatically adjust to suit the driver's actions.

Although this is not a new revelation - it was launched in 2013 – Toyota noted that when produced for public sale, it would be faster.

At least they are pushing the boundaries with new concepts and thinking outside of the box.

5. FIRST ELECTRIC FORMULA 1 CAR

Due out this September is the Spark-Renault SRT_01E which has been made in conjunction with motorsport companies like McLaren and Williams.

With speeds up to 140mph, this isn’t your standard electric car. Yet, it doesn’t sound like a standard F1 car either.

The first Formula E Grand Prix is set for this September in Beijing.