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Here are some of the worst things we saw at CES

The word innovation implies something new and exciting. That's just as true for automobiles as it is for smartphones and computers. After all, who doesn't want to live in a world where the brightest minds are constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible, seeking to make our lives better through science? To boldly go where no man has gone before? While it's true that innovation is mostly a good thing, history has proven that mankind's brightest ideas can sometimes turn into dim bulbs practically overnight. Ever heard of the Foot-o-scope? That device allowed people to get the best possible fit for a new pair of shoes, which is great. But the machines emitted horrendous amounts of radiation in the process of offering x-ray views of the feet of its victims, which is not great. While we're not going to suggest that anything we've seen at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is as bad as a shoe-fitting fluoroscope, walking the seemingly endless halls at CES has taught us that an interesting lesson is just as true today as it was 100 years ago: Not all innovations are really all that... well, innovative. In fact, some of them are downright terrible. Check out the video above for a rundown of four terrible innovations from the 2016 CES Show. Feel free to share your thoughts about what we've chosen, or submit your own nominees for terrible tech, in the Comments. Weird Car News CES Kia Technology Videos Original Video CES 2016

Hyundai Kia asked to pay $28.9M in patent infringement case

After years of litigation, Hyundai and Kia have lost their hybrid technology patent infringement case against Paice LLC. The jury ordered the South Korean automakers to pay $28.9 million, but according to Bloomberg, because the violation was allegedly intentional, the judge could triple that amount. The automakers have announced plans to appeal the ruling. Paice's patent dates from 1994 on a piece of tech called the Hyperdrive, and it was a way to seamlessly switch between power from an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. This lawsuit was first filed in 2012 and covered the systems in the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and Kia Optima Hybrid. According to Bloomberg, the companies tried to argue that the patent was no longer valid, but the strategy failed. "Hyundai strongly believes its position and will appeal any remaining adverse findings to the Federal Circuit," the company said in a statement to Autoblog. Paice is certainly no stranger to litigating over the Hyperdrive patent, though. It and Toyota had a similar court battle that lasted years. Eventually, there was a settlement, and the result was Paice getting royalties for each hybrid that the Japanese automaker sold. Similarly, there's a lawsuit pending against Ford over tech in the C-Max, Fusion, and Lincoln MKZ. Hyundai Statement: Hyundai believes that the verdict returned by the jury today in the matter of Paice v. Hyundai Motor Company et al., is not supported by the evidence. Accordingly, Hyundai has requested that the presiding judge enter a judgment in its favor notwithstanding the verdict. Hyundai strongly believes its position and will appeal any remaining adverse findings to the Federal Circuit.

Kia Stinger moves upmarket for the 2021 model year

Kia is giving the rear-wheel-drive Stinger a mid-cycle update that brings an updated design, a nicer interior, newer in-car technology, and a handful of powertrain tweaks. The sedan will reach showrooms by the end of 2020. Stylists played it safe when tweaking the front end, which receives redesigned lights that look darker than the current model's. Out back, the new-look lights are connected by a light bar, and the turn signals are made up of 10 individual LEDs arranged to resemble a checkered flag. Some variants are offered with bigger exhaust tips and a wider air diffuser, while new wheel designs and paint colors round out the exterior overhaul. Buyers will have two additional exterior packages to choose from. The first one, called Dark Package, adds a gloss black diffuser, black exhaust tips and black emblems. The second one, Black Package, bundles 19-inch matte black wheels, blacked-out trim, black mirror caps, and a trunk-mounted spoiler. Kia specifically pointed out the Black Package will be offered in North America, but it didn't reveal if we'll get the Dark Package. Kia explained it devoted a considerable amount of energy to making the Stinger's cabin feel more luxurious. It added nicer materials (like metallic trim on the steering wheel), a frame-less rear-view mirror, and, on some models, contrast stitching on the door panels as well as on the dashboard. The firm's newest infotainment system is displayed on a bigger, free-standing 10.25-inch touchscreen propped up on the dashboard. We'll need to be patient to find out what has changed under the hood. Kia alluded to a new powertrain lineup, but it won't reveal what's on the roster until a little bit later in 2020. As of writing, the Stinger's entry-level engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged to 255 horsepower. Motorists who want quicker acceleration can select a twin-turbocharged, 3.3-liter V6 that develops 365 horsepower. Could there be a step up to the Genesis G80's 300-horsepower 2.5-liter turbo-four and 375-hp 3.5-liter turbo V-6? Rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission come standard regardless of cylinder count, and all-wheel drive is offered at an extra cost. Kia noted the updated Stinger will go on sale in South Korea during the third quarter of 2020. Sales in other global markets — including, presumably, the United States — will start shortly after, and additional details will be released in the coming weeks.