On this episode of The Motoring Historian, Jon Summers summarizes a Western Automotive Journalists recap of CES 2026 led by chair Charlie Vogelheim, arguing that major auto innovation has shifted from traditional auto shows to CES. He frames the industry around electrification, autonomy, connectivity, and shared mobility, noting huge spending since 2010 largely from outside traditional OEMs, and discusses how autonomy remains harder than early forecasts. Highlights include Waymo’s sixth-generation vehicles with 29 sensors and expansion to colder cities; Nvidia’s open AI platform; Uber’s planned 2026 Lucid Gravity-based autonomous rollout; Qualcomm’s single-chip ADAS/infotainment concept enabling cheaper EVs and reinforcing “software-defined” cars like Xiaomi’s ecosystem approach; bolt-on ADAS from comma.ai; Zoox demos; Mercedes “Level 2++”; Sony-Honda’s expensive Afeela; Germany’s remotely driven Vay concept; and standout tech like a hovering flying motorcycle and Donut Lab’s solid-state battery designs. ===== (Oo---x---oO) ===== 00:00 Why CES Matters 01:10 EV Future Hopes 03:23 Three Revolutions 05:32 Shared Rides and Waymo 09:38 ACES and Investment 11:13 Waymo Gen 6 Hardware 13:33 Cold Weather Challenges 15:09 Nvidia and Lucid Gravity 17:41 Qualcomm One Chip Cars 21:39 Software Defined Automakers 25:19 Aftermarket Autonomy Debate 27:24 Autonomy Reality Check 28:56 More CES Oddities + Flying Bikes and Batteries 39:11 AI Construction Machines 41:50 Is ACES Still Relevant? 43:29 Outro and Credits ==================== The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net More Information: Visit Our Website Become a VIP at: Patreon Online Magazine: Gran Touring Follow us on Social: Instagram Jon Summers is the Motoring Historian. He was a company car thrashing technology sales rep that turned into a fairly inept sports bike rider. On his show he gets together with various co-hosts to talk about new and old cars, driving, motorbikes, motor racing, motoring travel. Copyright Jon Summers, The Motoring Historian. This content is also available via jonsummers.net. This episode is part of the Motoring Podcast Network and has been republished with permission.