At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, Nvidia formally introduced its next-generation autonomous driving AI platform, Alpamayo, a move that industry observers say marks the transition of self-driving technology from perception-driven systems to reasoning-oriented intelligence. The launch not only signals a new era for autonomous vehicles but also sets the stage for renewed competition between global automakers and Chinese manufacturers in the rapidly evolving smart-driving sector.
At CES 2026, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang delivered a keynote that many in the industry described as setting the direction for the next decade. It was not merely another unveiling of chips and platforms. Instead, it marked what Nvidia cast as a turning point for autonomous driving: a shift away from rule-based engineering toward systems centered on intelligence, reasoning, and judgment.
Mobileye Global said on Tuesday that it would acquire the Israeli humanoid robotics start-up Mentee Robotics in a cash-and-stock deal valued at about US$900 million, a bold move that signals the self-driving car technology company's push into what it sees as the next frontier of artificial intelligence.
As China's auto market wrapped up 2025, disclosures from leading carmakers confirmed another milestone year. Vehicle exports are expected to surpass 7 million units, ranking first globally, while NEV exports exceeded 2 million units in the first ten months, up nearly 90% year-over-year.
CES 2026 has become a muscle-flexing arena for advanced autonomous driving. Nvidia's CEO, Jensen Huang, used the stage to unveil a new "Vision-Language-Action" (VLA) model, Alpamayo 1. The system is capable of chain-of-thought reasoning, allowing vehicles to "think" and explain decisions in a way that resembles human cognition. Huang framed the moment as nothing less than the "ChatGPT moment for physical AI."
As 2026 opens, the global electric vehicle (EV) market is entering a pivotal phase. Tesla China has rolled out a five-year, zero-interest financing program covering its core models — Model 3, Model Y, and the six-seat Model Y L — paired with a CNY8,000 (approx. US$1145.52) paint-option incentive.
The lights at the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2026) still blaze as brightly as ever. However, for the global auto industry, CES has long ceased to be a mere technology spectacle. It has become a proving ground for something far more consequential: a reassembly of the industry's "soul and body," where control of the future—and the reshaping of business models—is very much at stake.
The day before the opening of the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2026) in Las Vegas, Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) each held keynote speeches. Like Computex, Nvidia hosted its keynote and showcase independently outside the exhibition venue, while AMD served as CES's first official keynote speaker. There was a clear sense of rivalry between the two, with each having a unique approach and style.
Mobileye, the Israeli autonomous driving technology company, said on January 5, 2026, that it had reached a partnership with a US automaker ranked among the world's top 10 to integrate its next-generation EyeQ6H chip into several mass-market and premium vehicle models. The company did not name the customer, but analysts cited by Calcalistech have suggested it could be General Motors.
ProLogium Technology said it will co-exhibit with engineering services provider FEV Group at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in January 2026, where the two companies plan to present a concept next-generation electric vehicle (EV) battery module based on ProLogium's superfluidized all-inorganic solid-state lithium ceramic battery technology.
Johor, Malaysia, is pursuing a deal with Chinese battery manufacturer Gotion High-tech to build a lithium battery factory, aiming to establish itself as a key center for electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage battery production. Johor State Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi recently led a delegation to China, engaging with executives from Gotion High-tech, BytePS, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., and other firms.
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