Ford Auto Show Display Features Vehicles, Interactive Activities, Enormous Selfie Screen (Video)

By Edward Cardenas

DETROIT (CBS Detroit) - Auto companies exhibits at the North American International Auto Show use a blend of technology, architecture, lighting and imagination to showcase their vehicles at the annual event in Cobo Center.

Exhibitors such as Volkswagen have a robot product specialist, Toyota has a virtual reality driving simulator and Kia has a photo booth where people be added to Hamster commercials.

But only one automaker - Ford - has live plants, interactive games and screen that covers part of Cobo's ceiling for the ultimate selfie.

Ford's display showcases the automaker's vehicles, technologies and the environment.

The recently introduced Ford GT, Shelby GT350R and F-150 Raptor are on display, along with an Enthusiasts' Gallery with vintage photos depicting great moments in Ford racing history.

The centerpiece of the display may be Innovation Park, which showcases how Ford researchers are utilizing organic materials, reducing waste and other environmentally sensitive technologies.

The display includes trees, perennials, soils and water features from the Henry Ford Fairlane Estate and benches which offer attendees a place to rest and recharge their cell phones.

"Ford chose the park theme to showcase its innovation efforts because they are beneficial for customers – providing the latest generation of affordable and attainable safety, convenience, connectivity and comfort features within the full Ford vehicle lineup – and because they are good for the world," said David Tillapaugh, Ford global auto show operations manager, in a release.

In the center of the park, visitors can become part of the display with overhead cameras that "swoop" through the display to capture images and video that appear on LED screens surrounding the park - including a large screen on the ceiling.

Ford also has all seven of Ford's fuel-saving EcoBoost engines on display, along "Eco" and "Boost" themed games.