11.1.2013 Car technology grabs attention at CES

At the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, social media analysis has found that car-related technology exhibitions were the single most talked about element of the show.

Considering all the technology sectors on display at the CES Show it is significant that consumer interest in automotive technology is so strong, and possibly reveals future tech-related trends.

The social media analysis platform, Crimson Hexagon, monitored and analysed 175 billion Twitter and Facebook posts to see what types of electronics innovations were capturing the attention of consumers and visitors to the Show.

The survey found that car-related technologies were the single most prominent feature of the social media analysis, generating almost a third (29%) of all social media conversations. Of these, 18% were talking about 'connected' and automated cars, such as Google’s driver-less car that has already been tested over 300,000 miles. Toyota and Audi were also a focus of conversations, as they have also been involved with driver-less vehicles.

Other issues of interest included apps and accessories for cars (11% conversations), such as Garmin's K2 'glass cockpit'. In-car connectivity and smart, real-time technologies are a major attraction to many consumers when looking into buying a vehicle.

Gaming related issues and mobile phones made up the majority of the remaining two thirds of CES connected social media conversations.

In the US generally, electrification of drive-trains and driver-less cars capturing the imaginations of American consumers. Sales volumes of plug-in cars in the US are accelerating, which is likely to be connected to the cutting-edge technological features that they use.

CES