Honda set to showcase NeuV autonomous, electric vehicle at CES 2017

Japanese automaker Honda this past July announced a partnership with telecom SoftBank in which the two would come together to develop a vehicle capable of holding a conversation with its driver that’s at least partially based on its ability to read the driver’s emotions.

At CES 2017, Honda will showcase the fruits of its labor – an automated concept vehicle it’s calling NeuV.

Honda said in a recent press release that this commuter vehicle will be equipped with artificial intelligence known as the emotion engine which will “create new possibilities for human interaction and new value for customers.” Pretty vague, right?

The Japanese automaker said it also plans to announce initiatives with both startups and global brands that will create a more productive and enjoyable mobility experience. Honda also plans to unveil a concept motorcycle that it says will demonstrate the company’s robotics technology.

Maybe it’s just me but why is it that concept vehicles are made to look so stupid? The only answer I can come up with is that maybe they’re designed to look ugly and out-of-place so they’ll immediately stand out among a sea of otherwise normal vehicles. Then again, Scion xB and Nissan Cube owners probably don’t consider the Honda NeuV to be all that different looking versus what they already own.

Honda’s CES press conference takes place on January 5, 2017, and will feature a keynote address from President and CEO Yoshiyuki Matsumoto.