As the automotive industry evolves, the integration of advanced entertainment technologies is becoming increasingly significant. At CES 2025, Dolby Laboratories is at the forefront of this transformation, showcasing its innovative audio and visual technologiesโDolby Atmos and Dolby Visionโdesigned to enhance the in-car experience. This report highlights Dolbyโs remarkable progress in expanding these technologies to more vehicles, illustrating their commitment to redefining automotive entertainment.
Dolby Atmos: Enhancing In-Car Audio Experiences
In the past year, Dolby has made significant strides in bringing Dolby Atmos to the automotive sector. The number of auto manufacturers supporting Dolby Atmos has more than doubled, growing from ten to over twenty. Notable industry leaders, including Cadillac, Li Auto, Mercedes-Benz, Polestar, Rivian, and Volvo Cars, have joined the movement to integrate this immersive audio technology into their vehicles.
At CES 2025, Dolby is showcasing this momentum by presenting the all-new 2025 Cadillac OPTIQ, equipped with a state-of-the-art 19-speaker AKG audio system featuring Dolby Atmos as a standard feature. This vehicle represents a pivotal moment for Dolby, marking the first in Cadillac’s lineup to offer this cutting-edge audio experience.
Collaboration is key to Dolby’s strategy for expanding Atmos across the automotive landscape. The company is actively working with top automotive system-on-chip (SoC) and digital signal processor (DSP) suppliers, including Analog Devices, MediaTek, NXPยฎ Semiconductors, and Texas Instruments, to facilitate the widespread adoption of Dolby Atmos in vehicles. Additionally, Dolby is exploring opportunities in the aftermarket sector, exemplified by Pioneerโs demonstration of a 4-channel speaker system that supports Dolby Atmos.
The appeal of Dolby Atmos extends beyond the vehicle itself, as a robust catalog of content is now available for consumers to enjoy. According to recent findings, 93% of artists featured in Billboard’s 2024 Top 100 have released music in Dolby Atmos, further enhancing the daily commute with high-quality audio experiences. Audiobooks and podcasts on platforms like Audible are also increasingly accessible in Dolby Atmos, enriching the in-car entertainment landscape.
Dolby Vision: A New Era of In-Car Visuals
In a groundbreaking move, CES 2025 marks the debut of Dolby Vision in the automotive space. This high dynamic range (HDR) technology offers an unparalleled visual experience, showcasing true blacks, vibrant colors, and stunning detail across various content types, including movies, streaming services, games, and live sports.
At the event, Dolby will present the worldโs first vehicle supporting both Dolby Vision and Dolby AtmosโLi Auto’s Li MEGA. This innovative vehicle exemplifies the potential of combining advanced audio and visual technologies to create a truly immersive in-car experience.
A significant development leading to this milestone is the strategic partnership between Samsung Display and Dolby. This collaboration will enable Samsung’s cutting-edge OLED displays to be pre-tuned for Dolby Vision, ensuring automotive manufacturers can easily implement this advanced imaging technology. The partnership streamlines the process of integrating Dolby Vision into vehicles, enhancing the overall entertainment experience for drivers and passengers alike.
