This week on Dezeen, automotive giants took their futuristic concept cars for a spin at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show (CES).
Mercedes-Benz took the sci-fi route, unveiling a vehicle inspired by the world of James Cameron's Avatar movie, in which nature and technology co-exist in harmony.
Made to resemble a living creature, the Vision AVTR has scales on its back that can convey vital information about its surroundings to the driver, while the car's front and rear axles allow it to move sideways "like a crab".
Meanwhile Hyundai and Uber unveiled a concept for a flying car and air-taxi service that could alleviate congestion in our cities, and electronics company Sony made its inaugural venture into car design with a prototype for a driverless electric vehicle. Hyundai and Uber unveil concept design for flying car
Beyond concept cars, CES also played host to a range of technologies aimed at improving domestic life, including a bin that seals and changes its own rubbish bags, as well as an AI-powered robot called Ballie.
Inspired by the BB-8 android in the Star Wars movies, this "personal assistant" is capable of rolling around the house and fulfilling everyday tasks like waking up its owner or helping them work out.

Ballie the rolling robot is Samsung's near-future vision of personal care
Danish architecture studio BIG took CES as an opportunity to unveil its design for a prototype city of the future, which is set to start construction near Mount Fuj...