Lauren Fix, the Car Coach, takes a look at innovations at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

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When you think of consumer electronics, you usually think of gadgets for your home or possibly your mobile phone. Now, however, innovations in integration, connectivity and telematics are in your car.

We spent some time in the Tesla Motors Model S electric sedan, which offers some unique technologies. A Nvidia Tegra VCM processor powers the vehicle's 17-inch touch screen infotainment and navigation system-the largest ever in a passenger car-as well as its all-digital instrument cluster. The center stack looks just like a laptop screen, with touch-screen capability.

Tesla Motors is the first company to offer the Tegra VCM, enabling intuitive, interactive, high-resolution visuals inside its vehicles. For drivers, the system provides larger, more readable maps and a beautifully rendered instrument cluster that can be personalized from the multifunction steering wheel.

The touch screen is a complete computing platform that delivers superb 3D graphics and multimedia capabilities as well as exceptional energy efficiency, a critical feature for all types of cars. The module provides automakers a highly cost-effective way to rapidly incorporate into vehicles the advanced technology customers are using in their consumer devices, but with a focus on safer operation by reducing the inherent driver distractions of handheld devices.

Automakers have to impress drivers with superior in-vehicle connectivity and interface experiences that leverage the best technology innovations available.

The 17-inch touch screen in the center is customizable and intuitive as a user interface for music, phone, navigation, connected services and climate control.

This computer processer controls all the gauges in front of the driver, the all-digital instrument cluster, which features a high-resolution, 12.3-inch LCD display and advanced 3D graphics that can be personalized based on each driver's preferences.

Much of this technology comes from gaming companies reaching into the automotive marketplace.

The integration of the driver to the car rather than just the phone to the car is the wave of the future. Consumer electronics are becoming a part of the auto industry. As we spend more time in our vehicles it becomes the place where we live, talk to our children, contact our friends and do business.

Visit http://ces.cnet.com/ for more information.