CES 2019 – Tomorrow’s Technology Today
Published on : Monday 30-11--0001
The annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is well known as a showcase of an amazing range of gadgets and gizmos in the consumer electronics domain. The concepts of yesterday are the reality of today. The latest example is the LG’s rollable TV so far a concept shown in previous editions of CES is now ready and will be launched later this year. The 65-inch OLED TV panel can be rolled up and boasts a 100W Dolby Atmos-powered speaker. Dolby, by the way was all over CES 2019 and present in a large number of TVs from various makes and other devices, so much so that Forbes announced the company winner of CES 2019 edition.
With 4500 exhibitors and many more exhibits, no single scribe or article is possibly going to offer any meaningful overview of what was on display – and most of it was strictly in the consumer electronics domain – but there were a few exhibits that were outside that ambit and of interest to other industries.
ProGlove – Smart gloves with IIoT
‘We connect the worker to the industrial IoT’ proclaimed the Munich-based company founded in December 2014 by former BMW and IDEO employees. ProGlove develops smart gloves that enable manufacturing and logistics staff to work faster, safer and easier. Process steps can be documented hands-free, giving instant feedback to the user. With ProGlove, ergonomics, efficiency and quality are at the core of its functionality since you work and scan at the same time. Already launched successfully in the European market, the company is now ready to enter other markets.
Ford OjO – The commuter scooter
With the Ford OjO Commuter Scooter, one can zip through the city or meander suburban bike lanes thanks to the 500W HyperGear motor and comfortable chassis. The touch-screen monitor lets the rider easily control driving and speed modes or manage lighting and audio, and waterproof speakers entertain during the journey. Onboard security keeps the scooter safe when docked at various destinations. This OjO Commuter Scooter is officially licensed by Ford and comes equipped with mirrors, phone holders and waterproof speakers for extra fun on any ride. It can climb an 18 per cent grade.
CrossHelmet – Increased safety & visibility
The CrossHelmet is a next generation motorcycle helmet with sound control and 360? visibility that will transform the riding experience. The rearview camera gives a 360? view of the surroundings, eliminating blind spots. The head-up display or HUD mounted on the front of the helmet also shows directions, weather and time. Easily glanceable information such as route directions, weather, and time is displayed on the HUD, mounted on the front of the helmet interior. CrossHelmet’s unique noise control system reduces road noise to a safe level which helps reduce rider stress and fatigue while riding. LEDs are mounted on both sides of the helmet for increased safety and visibility while riding at night.
FoldiMate – Adjustable folding technology
The robotic laundry folder FoldiMate can easily fold the laundry into neat piles ready to put away. It folds, so we don't have to. Ergonomic designed Easy Clipping™ clipping technology enables easy and fast clipping of each item. Simultaneous Folding™ fast folding technology allows feeding clothes continuously while it simultaneously folds them. Smart robotic technology automatically adjusts the folding method based on preferences, item type and sizes. FoldiMate is ‘closet ready’ – adjustable folding technology that fits the folding to a shelf size.
OceanAlpha – Jetboard cum lifebuoy
OceanAlpha, the world’s leading and largest supplier of unmanned surface vessels (USV), unveiled the Smart Jetboard FF I, which can serve as both a lifebuoy and a jetboard. The Smart Jetboard FF I is a three-segment board about 1 metre long and 0.8 metres wide, weighing 10 kg. It employs a dual-jet pump with a battery life of 30 minutes and a maximum speed of 5m/s, providing excellent performance. As a water entertainment device, the Smart Jetboard comes with direction and speed buttons that allow the user to lie comfortably and safely on the board and easily navigate the board. The Smart Jetboard can also be used as a smart lifebuoy. The traditional foam lifebuoy, with limited throwing range and low accuracy, is easy to miss the golden time for rescue. With the Smart Jetboard, one simply has to throw it on the water and remotely drive it to the drowning person. It has a control distance of 500 metres and can carry two adults.
HOLABOT – The delivery robot
PuduTech, a global leader in delivery robot industry debuted three products at CES 2019 and showed the world consumers the latest progress in delivery robot. With concise design, HOLABOT features a size of 547x407x673mm, much smaller and more compact than its competitors. It has a simple flat appearance in diverse bright colours with lights on both sides and taillights in the front and rear as well as clean lateral lines presents strong visual impact with futuristic touches. HOLABOT equipped with AI speech interaction and facial recognition. It may tell direction of human faces with RGBD camera and elevate its screen to the height at which users feel comfortable to operate it; users can unlock its cabin with facial recognition. In addition, there are automated trays within the cabin that will elevate themselves for users to fetch. Embedded with prominent Internet of Things technologies, HOLABOT is universally applicable and efficient and free from elevator and access control for it may pass turnstiles and take elevators by itself.
PlusAI – Autonomous Driving Truck
PlusAI, Inc., a leading global self-driving company focused on enabling large-scale autonomous commercial trucking fleets, showcased its full-stack L4 autonomous truck technology. PlusAI also demonstrated the technology with an International® LT™ Series tractor on a nearby Las Vegas truck route during the show. The International® LT™ Series, equipped with PlusAI’s L4 autonomous driving technology, can automatically navigate major routes from hub to hub. PlusAI’s precision positioning and control system integrates deep learning visual algorithms, using advanced lane detection, lidar (laser detection and measurement), SLAM (instant positioning and map building) and other technology solutions.
Continental – Seamless Mobility
Technology company Continental steadily pushes the boundaries of autonomous vehicle technology, exploring new use cases and advancements every day. At CES 2019 Continental showed how a driverless vehicle could be used to stage and deploy delivery robots, taking packages all the way to the consumer – even when they’re not able to physically receive them. The seamless integration of a driverless vehicle – in this case, the Continental Urban Mobility Experience (CUbE) – and a delivery robot present a more effective and efficient distribution of goods. Driverless vehicles like the CUbE, Continental’s autonomous electrified development platform, are generally considered as a solution for urban “first or last mile” mobility. This type of vehicle – often referred to as a robo-taxi or pod – will be a part of the seamless mobility value chain.
NAVER Corporation – the Future of Advanced Robotics
NAVER LABS, an R&D subsidiary of NAVER Corporation based in South Korea, drew large crowds to its first North American demonstrations of AROUND G, an autonomous guide robot, and AMBIDEX, a next-generation robotic arm, and advanced autonomous driving technologies. NAVER’s overriding philosophy is Ambient Intelligence, which is the delivery of on-demand information and services to people at any time and location based on context. For the past five years, NAVER LABS has been developing innovative AI-based technologies for Ambient Intelligence such as high definition (HD) mapping, localisation, robotics and navigation with high-precision spatial data. NAVER plans to leverage these to drive the evolution of technologies.
Captions
Pix1: Connecting the worker to IIoT.
Pix2: The Ford OjO commuter scooter.
Pix3: The next generation motorcycle helmet.
Pix4: Folding the laundry into neat piles.
Pix5: The Smart Jetboard FF I is a three-segment board.
Pix6: HOLABOT is equipped with AI speech interaction and facial recognition.
Pix7: Enabling large-scale autonomous commercial trucking fleets.
Pix8: CUbE for urban “first or last mile” mobility.
Pix9: AMBIDEX – the next-generation robotic arm