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It is one of the largest trade fairs in the world and attracts 148,000 visitors and 4,100 exhibitors from all over the world. It is the most important fair for introductions of new consumer technology, innovations and trend spotting. And it’s hell for anyone trying to get anywhere around the Las Vegas convention center and satellite locations as it takes over the city and the industry, like it did the first week of January. I am of course referring to CESformerly known as the Consumer Electronic Show. I’ve only been there once in 2017, but I always ask tech watchers who brave the crowds what impressed them on the show floor. Here are six trends (and some new releases) that the pros say are worth mentioning.
1. Safety innovations
Ryan Herda New Jersey-based technology consultant and former CEO and founder of Caregiver Smart Solutions, cites safety innovations as a trend he has noticed. “On the fire side, there were some strong solutions. Hob safety remains one of the most overlooked risks in the home. Products such as iGuard And CTS Smart Kitchen Sensor (Cooktop Safety Corp.) do important work: detecting unsafe conditions and preventing accidents before they become disasters.”
One of the biggest safety risks for the older adults Herd has supported for much of his career is falling. According to the CDCthere are approximately 3 million emergency department visits as a result of falling elderly people. These are also the most common causes of traumatic brain injury and 83% of hip fracture deaths. “For fall and presence detection, I saw some elegant solutions using radar instead of cameras: Silver Shield [by Pontosense]stood out, for example. It is non-intrusive, relatively small, and respects privacy while still providing meaningful insights. That is important.”
2. Robot Revolution
They were all over the show floor, Herd says, but not necessarily in our homes yet. “They’re not quite there yet, but they’re coming. The real question isn’t that.” as they will help – that’s it How. Are they folding laundry? Walking the dog? Support for daily life? That part is still unfolding.” Those of us of a certain age remember the science fiction cartoon from our childhood with this reference: “We are clearly entering a Jetsons-like era. Whether it actually works for real families remains to be seen.”
Herd helpfully points out one issue that may not be discussed enough when it comes to this technology: privacy. “We say we don’t want cameras in our homes, but robots will almost certainly need cameras to function. LiDAR is expensive, radar has limits – so cameras are the most likely solution. That means cameras roaming around private spaces. We’ll see how comfortable people are with that.”
3. Cognitive AI
Chip Wadea Georgia-based builder and lead designer, defines it this way: “This is onboard decision and execution management without the need to upload data to the cloud.” Where and how is it visible? “You’ll see this integrated into many of the products displayed on the floor, from robotic lawn mowers, kitchen appliances, hobby and craft tools, furniture and wellness experiences,” he responds.
4. Smarter devices
“I’m excited to introduce many of the smarter home appliances this year,” says Wade. He quotes a new rule Samsung refrigerators that inventory the food stored inside them. (This has been one of the holy grails of refrigeration for years.) “It also automatically provides custom recipe options for items you have in your refrigerator.”
He also points to vacuuming and mopping systems, based on robotic technology, that are showing improvements and now offer “options to climb stairs and arms to pick up larger items that have been left out and are in the way.”
5. Mega TVs
“TVs are bigger. They’re beautiful. Every TV is beautiful now. Bigger is better, especially if you’re a man, but it’s not exactly revolutionary,” says Herd. What manufacturers have done, he says, is develop what he calls “modular micro-LED panels,” making them easier to transport and install. They weigh less, which means they also cost less to ship.
6. Wellness innovation
This year’s CES Smart Home Innovation Awards included numerous accolades that support wellness. One of them was a shower-based skin care system Ceragem called AI Rejuvenation Shower System. Here’s how the pricing site describes it: “A smart mirror equipped with near-infrared and spectral sensors scans the user’s face to assess hydration, oil levels, elasticity and pigmentation, completely contactless and privacy-safe. In real time, the built-in AI adjusts pH via electrolysis, softens water via ion exchange and dispenses blends of vitamins and active skincare ingredients using NFC-tagged cartridges.”
Another Innovation winner was Netvue Technologies’Birdfy Hum Bloom. This is a smart feeder to enhance your encounters with nature outside your door. These encounters create a sense of calm and help de-stress, making them a wellness feature as well.
Smell is an underrated sense that has deep connections to our mood and memory. Deep scent was honored by CES for what it calls “the world’s first smart home platform that creates personalized, emotionally adaptive fragrance experiences using artificial intelligence.” According to the description, it can be integrated with smart lighting, audio systems and environmental sensors. “Whether it’s energizing mornings, enhancing social gatherings or creating a soothing atmosphere, it dynamically adapts to user preferences and contextual changes.”
Another underrated factor in the well-being of your home is humidity. Too much and mold and mildew can develop. Too little and dryness can affect wood and skin. Coway’s CES Innovation Award honoree Humid Curator promises to help with this.
As homeowners, especially for higher-end homes, expect healthy smart home features, the industry is clearly looking for innovative ways to provide them.
Last words
“As a technologist, this is the Super Bowl,” Herd says of CES. The question that comes to his mind, and to me, is simple: “How does this actually help me?”
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