The doors of technological perception
• Virtual reality and robotics to feature in Las Vegas
The mega-extravaganza of the tech world in Las Vegas is showcasing an array of new devices that get smarts from computer chips, sensors and artificial intelligence, but go further by opening doors to augmented or virtual realities.
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which begins with a series of media events on Tuesday, will offer trade professionals a look at new robotics, connected cars and a dizzying assortment of gizmos from connected sneakers to drones.
The show will see results of a boost in computing power from artificial intelligence, which can help power things like autonomous cars, and deliver new experiences such as augmented or virtual reality.
“Virtual reality is changing the game for a variety of industries including healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing and business,” said Gary Shapiro, president of the Consumer Technology Association that organises the annual show.
“Doctors are using VR to enhance traditional therapies, architects use VR to design stronger buildings and travel agencies are using it to simplify vacation planning.”
The Consumer Electronics Show will celebrate its 50th anniversary at the gathering, and organisers promised it would have the largest showcase of VR technology ever.
One panel discussion will examine how virtual reality is transforming television, movies and even news with immersive forms of video.
A host of virtual reality experiences will entice attendees at the trade-only show.
Cars will feature virtual reality displays to provide a better sense of the environment around them, while similar technologies will be showcased for smart glasses, medicine and beauty makeovers.
AUGMENTED REALITY
Robin Raskin, who heads the Living in Digital Times centre at the show, said augmented reality was catching on with tryand-see beauty apps, in-store virtual mirrors and toys.
Augmented reality, she said, “lets us look at the real world and add valuable, entertaining and immersive information to it”.
Analyst Jack Gold said that despite the potential benefits of virtual and augmented reality in business or industry, “gaming is where it is going to take off first”, because that’s where people are spending money.
“The issue is not whether it has the potential to transform things, but whether you can put it into a space where consumers can afford it and give enough additional information so people are able to use it,” Gold said.
The Consumer Electronics Show is among the world’s biggest trade shows, and in 2016 drew 177,000 attendees over exhibit space of 230,000m². This year, 150 countries will be represented. It will include Sony, LG and Samsung in electronics, with the perennial battle to have the sleekest most gorgeous television screen. Meanwhile, in attendance will be more than 600 startups from 33 countries, including first-time participants — the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Ukraine.
Auto-industry titans including Ford and BMW are increasingly using CES to show off technology packed into vehicles for efficiency, safety, entertainment and navigation.
The show will feature demonstrations of autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles, including one from Japan’s Honda said to be equipped with an artificial intelligence “emotion engine” that aims to better understand its occupants.
Electric car startup Faraday Future is expected to unveil its first production car a year after showing a prototype.
Renault-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn has promised to discuss “a major technological breakthrough in the realisation of a zero-emission, zero-fatality world for everyone”.
The show will also feature advances in robotics, with more human-like robots and the public debut of “Professor Einstein” from Hanson Robotics. Getting a boost from artificial intelligence, some new robots at the show will keep an eye on the kids, play chess or help with homework.
Gold said he expects to see a large number of drones looking for a slice of a surging market.
“This is really the year of the drone, and everybody is trying to get into this market.” But he added that the strongest potential for drones may be with businesses, with uses including aerial photography.
On the smartphone front, South Korea’s LG will show a range of new “mid-range” handsets and China’s Huawei has a smartphone event scheduled. TCL, the Chinese firm which owns the Alcatel brand, will unveil new BlackBerry handsets following its deal for the troubled Canadian brand.
The show floor will see a host of new and improved connected home technologies that manage everything from light bulbs to refrigerators.
“We’re pretty close on things like the smart home, where we’re going to get up one day and everybody is going to speak to their refrigerators,” said NPD hardware analyst Stephen Baker.