IoT and big data brought together in commercial use cases

Volkswagen is slowly opening up about the process for launching its ID lineup of electric vehicles. Both the ID hatchback and ID Crozz crossover are slated to launch in 2020, with the ID Buzz van bringing up the rear in 2022. The ID Crozz will actually be the first to arrive in the US, and here at the Frankfurt Motor Show, VW will show off a new version of the Crozz that's ever so slightly closer to its production-ready form.

The changes are on the subtle side. The LED headlights have been tweaked to be "more representative of those in a production car," meaning they use shapes and materials that won't result in headlights that cost $12,000 to replace. There's a running light strip connecting the headlights, with a light-up VW logo smack dab in the middle. The rear and sides have slight adjustments to lower trim pieces, and it takes a real keen eye to point them out.

The inside remains largely the same. The front doors open like normal, but the rear doors slide backward, presenting the occupants with a huge entryway. Two rows of seats float on thin stanchions, with traditional adjustment switches where you'd expect them. The panoramic roof's shade can be activated by gesture control. There's an infotainment screen in the middle, and just like the other ID models, the steering wheel can fold into the dashboard when the car is driving itself.