Chinese startup Byton have unveiled it’s new Smart Intuitive Vehicle (SIV) at CES 2018 and claim it will ‘perceive more than what a human being will ever do.’

From the outside the Byton looks like a fairly standard modern SUV until you look close. Side-view cameras replace side mirrors, face recognition cameras provide user identification and BYTON Smart Surfaces show a situation-based interacting light design.

The base model has a range of 400km and a higher spec variant will reach 520km. This is nothing particularly world beating but the company claims some incredibly fast charge times

 

 

Byton claims its fast-charging system that will ‘get enough charge for a whole week of urban commuting’ in just the amount of time it takes you to have a cup of coffee.

At the CES launch co-founder Dr Carson Breitfeld said the car will recharge to a range of 250kms in just 20 minutes and 80 percent full in just 30 minutes.

 

 

Inside the car is where it gets really interesting. The interior aims to provide a ‘digital lounge experience,’ explained Dr Breitfeld. ‘Once you have taken your seat, you will feel as if you’re in a luxurious living room.’ It even has a touch screen built into the steering wheel which they claim is a world first.

 

 

The car features a huge 50-inch by 10-inch touchscreen display spanning the length of the dashboard plus large touchscreens mounted on the back of the driver and passenger seats for riders in the back to enjoy.

It will also be able to read traffic signs, monitor blind spots, and communicate with other cars using an array of sensors and advanced image processing.

 

 

Byton says the car be launched in China in 2019 at $45,000 USD. The US and Europe will follow in 2020. Initially it will be equipped with Level III autonomy features and then Level IV will be added within a year of launch.

 

Photo credit: Byton