GM, Waymo pull out of CES 2022 over omicron variant concerns

Standard Motors and Waymo are the most current companies to terminate CES designs more than COVID-19-associated concerns.

GM CEO Mary Barra experienced been scheduled to give a keynote speech at the yearly convention on Jan. five, through which the corporation would have proven its electric Silverado pickup for the to start with time. Barra will nevertheless make the speech and presentation more than the net, a spokesman mentioned.

“CES is an crucial know-how platform, and we are continuing with our designs on Jan. five to share our major corporation information which includes the expose of the Chevrolet Silverado EV,” GM mentioned in a statement late Thursday.

Waymo, the Google-affiliated autonmous driving corporation, mentioned previously Thursday it would no extended take part in the yearly know-how showcase future thirty day period, citing climbing concerns more than the omicron variant of the virus. Co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana experienced been scheduled to supply a keynote deal with Jan. five and take part in other routines in Las Vegas.

Further more, Waymo experienced planned to screen its new Class 8 Freightliner Cascadia truck for the to start with time. Created with redundant autonomous programs in collaboration with Daimler Vehicles, the platform is a lynchpin of Waymo’s emphasis on self-driving trucking.

“Dependent on quickly climbing COVID an infection rates, we’ve created the hard choice to pull our physical presence at CES 2022,” a Waymo spokeswoman mentioned Thursday.

Waymo mentioned in a site post that it hopes to take part virtually if feasible.

GM and Waymo are the most current companies to abandon CES designs in the encounter of climbing COVID-19 infections. This week, Twitter, T-Cell, Amazon and Meta (Fb) said they would not take part due to the fact of health concerns. Technology-focused media stores these types of as TechCrunch and The Verge have also withdrawn.

CES organizers carried out an all-virtual convention in 2021 but have hence considerably held organization in the encounter of the cancellations in setting up for an in-person event in Las Vegas. They have created designs to call for vaccinations for all attendees and masks in the conference corridor.

On Wednesday, prior to Waymo’s announcement, officials with the Consumer Technology Association, which owns and operates CES, mentioned they experienced obtained 42 exhibitor cancellations because last Friday, though adding 62 new planned exhibitors in the same time frame.

In a created statement, the business mentioned the event proceeds “to display robust momentum,” and that “CES 2022 will go forward as crucial innovation for world health and protection, mobility and resolving issues will be exhibited.”

Reuters contributed to this report.