Skip to main content

Harman LIVS: Brand debuts comprehensive connected car platform at CES 2016

The Rinspeed Etos is a hybrid autonomous car with its own personal drone, but perhaps the most forward-thinking aspect of the car lies inside the cabin.

At CES 2016, Harman debuted the Life-Enhancing Intelligent Vehicle Solution (LIVS), a scalable connected car platform that powers the Etos’ wildly comprehensive infotainment system. LIVS combines modular connectivity solutions, camera-based driver assistance, intelligent 3D navigation, personalized entertainment, mobile office tools, and over-the-air update capabilities into one package, resulting in a product the brand calls the most complete and holistic system in the industry.

“With more than 25 million automobiles on the road with Harman connected solutions, Harman leads the industry as an end-to-end system integrator for automakers and technology suppliers – under the hood, over the air and in the cabin,” said Phil Eyler, President of Harman’s Connected Car division. “We are demonstrating the future of driving and it is highly cohesive, personalized, intuitive and adaptive to drivers and passengers. The Harman LIVS automotive compute platform integrates all vehicle functions for a holistic and integrated approach to in-car electronics, connectivity and operations.”

Rinspeed Etos
Rinspeed Etos Rinspeed

In the end, LIVS is tailored to act as a personal assistant, one designed specifically for the autonomous future that draws closer every day. Outside of featuring a complete office suite with one-touch video conferencing and other tools, the system learns as it goes, predicting appointments and adapting to the occupant’s entertainment preferences. Manual input is still an option of course, and it can now be utilized through touch, voice, and even gesture controls. Furthermore, LIVS is robust enough to power high-definition displays, such as the dual 21.5-inch 4K screens found in the Etos.

During CES, demos with the Etos and Harman’s LIVS technology are available at the Harman showcase at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Editors' Recommendations

Andrew Hard
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…
Best electric car charger deals: $100 off home charging stations
The handle of the Grizzl-E EV charger plugged into a vehicle.

A few years ago, electric vehicles were pretty rare or cost a fortune, but with more and more of the larger car brands getting into the game, there are a lot of excellent and even budget-friendly choices nowadays. That said, the electrical network for charging your cars might not be that widespread, so instead you'll have to rely on charging your car at home. Luckily, there are a lot of excellent car chargers at a discount, so if you've just bought an EV or want to upgrade your current charging solution, be sure to check out our favorite deals below.
Shockflo EV charger — $205, was $220

This EV charger by Shockflo is a Level 2 EV charger, which offers six times faster charging than a standard charger. It delivers 24 miles with just one hour of charging, and it can act as a mobile charger you can throw in the trunk or be mounted to a wall. It has an LCD display with useful information like charging rate, voltage, and charging time, as well as LED indicator lights that lets you know charging progress and errors.

Read more
Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more
Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs
Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Read more