Our top 5 from CES 2019:

1. Drones

2. Toys and games

3. Service Vehicles

4. Life-Saving technology

5. Smart Home

Image Source: Mercedes-Benz (link).

DRONES

Over the past decade drone technology has grown exponentially, often being a large spectacle for CES attendees. This year was no different. Exhibitors displayed a large variety of new age drones from ones you can fly within your own home to drones you can fly hundreds of miles away.  

It was clear that the developers working on these devices have thought of it all and have begun to move on to a new medium for exploration: water. Multiple companies were displaying their aqua-friendly drones and their capabilities.

The biggest hurdle with underwater drones is signaling. The easiest fix to this radio control issue is via direct wire. Engineers at Navatics were able to focus on things like speed and function while not having to worry about signaling. The cord doubles in function as a means to retrieve the device.

Other companies proposed fixes to this issue by either creating signals (having a person swim within 15 meters of the drone) or using preprogrammed drones, like the feature by Robosea, that know their functions and maneuvers before its descent into the depths. Although most of these drones were in the early stages, they resembled the boom of flying drones when they were first developed.  

Image Source: Linx photo of Navatics CES 2019 booth.

TOYS AND GAMES

VR and AR have evolved into some of the hottest of topics at the show.  This year an entire section of the convention was devoted to companies working on advancements in this field. Although many applications are being developed for VR and AR, the gaming world has gone all in.

Some developers have created immersive Esports experiences that allow you to play in the same stadiums as your favorite all-stars. Others displayed multiplayer advancements, which allow the gamers to simultaneously play together in multitude of virtual realms.  

Although VR is looking to have a large impact on the world’s youth, traditional toy makers continue to push the boundaries. Toys that have traditionally taught children reading and arithmetic have largely evolved into IoT devices that teach children how to do software coding.  

The integration of technology into toys, whether it be a remote controlled car that contains similar sensors to drones or a train that is IoT controlled, makes the future of children’s education an interesting facet to consider.

Image source: Linx photo of Denver trying out a VR Esport game at CES 2019.

CARS

Per usual, the new age of vehicles was a high point of the show. Although autonomous cars were around every corner, companies put a big focus on larger service vehicles.

ZF proposed an autonomous service van that could be transformed into anything from a first aid trailer to a surveillance vehicle for the FBI.  Other companies like Udelv proposed concepts for advancing the online consumer market through the use of autonomous delivery vehicles. Mercedes-Benz introduced the Vision Urbanetic, a vehicle with switchable bodies that can be fitted with a space that can fit up to 20 people or be used for cargo transport. Bosch introduced a similar idea, but for a shuttle vehicle that is  complete with IoT technology, giving the user control from anywhere in the world.

Hyundai introduced concepts for their Elevate – a car that much resembles a transformer that can get over any obstacle that is in its way. These vehicles are recreating what the world thinks of luxury and function.

Image source: Linx photo of Bosch booth at CES 2019

LIFE-SAVING TECHNOLOGY

Advancements and new concepts in health technology had a large presence in this year’s show. With the advancement of wireless and IoT technology, medical devices and wearables have made great strides in modern times.  

One of the most breathtaking devices was a prototype made by Health Care Originals: the Automated Device for Asthma Monitoring and Management or ADAMM for short. ADAMM is a patch that can be worn on the chest that can send an alert to your smartphone when early-stage wheezing occurs, allowing the user to take action before a full-on asthma attack.

Another riveting device was Inner Garden developed by Ullo, a French organization. Inner Garden is an interactive kinetic sandbox that uses AR and ambient sensory biofeedback as an occupational and cognitive therapy device. As the user creates different structures in the sand, sensors detect the change and illuminate in different colors – giving live feedback to the user of the peaks and valleys they just created.

Image source: Linx photo of Ullo’s Inner Garden at CES 2019.

SMART HOME

From a home’s security system to the refrigerator in the kitchen, smart home technology ever-present. Companies like Amazon and Google showed a variety of ways to connect their virtual assistants, like Amazon’s Alexa or Google’s Assistant, to multiple appliances around the house.

Kohler introduced a prototype for an interactive mirror that allows you to get ready while catching up on emails or watching the morning news. Other companies like LG took the smart mirror concept to the closet by creating an in-house clothing styling and management system. The system performs a full body scan and creates options depending on the occasion.

Small but mighty connectables had a large presence at the convention as well. Swidget is a smart electrical outlet has a center socket for various external inserts. Utility inserts turn an outlet into things like a night-light or an aromatherapy diffuser. Smart home inserts include inserts that are WiFi compatible and has the ability to connect to an Alexa device.

Image source: Linx photo of a smart home integrator at CES 2019.

Overall Experience

The Consumer Electronics Show is a truly the global stage for innovation. Thousands of innovators from around the world gather to present their newest technology and product discoveries.