A showcase of creative ideas, CES 2018 will power the next round of digital transformations, writes Edwin Kee
THE curtains have recently fallen on the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) 2018 in Las Vegas, a showcase that brought different devices and ideas to the fore.
With so many things to see, it was rather challenging to sift out a pattern. Behind all the glitz and glamour — larger-sized flat screens with constantly shrinking bezels and smarter home appliances, among them — several trends emerged which will point to the direction of the future.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
The days of speaking commands out aloud and having the room, vehicle or device respond in the most natural manner is getting closer to reality. This is due to advancements made in the artificial intelligence (AI) realm.
While Google’s Assistant, Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa have proven themselves to be very capable in minor everyday tasks, AI is starting to make its mark everywhere, including the B2C (business-to-consumer) and B2B (business-to-business) spaces.
Intel’s neuromorphic computing effort was showcased in the form of Loihi, its AI test chip.
This fully functioning neuromorphic chip is capable of performing the most basic of object recognition under controlled conditions, and Intel is more than happy to let its partners get a hold of Loihi to explore the boundless possibilities that will see AI making even more headway into our daily lives.
At this point, we already have AI running in different circumstances, for instance, cars that are able to detect different situations and objects around its surroundings, slowing down on its own to avoid a collision.
Alexa continues to grow from strength to strength. If 2017 proved to be a breakthrough year for it in the consumer electronics landscape, this year will see even more everyday objects around the home arrive with Alexa built-in.
Even mirrors are not spared, as Kohler’s Verdera arrives with a pair of microphones and speakers to interact with you.
Being completely water-resistant, the hermetically sealed speakers and lights are voice controlled. It will also work with other Alexa-powered attachments in the bathroom such as bathtub, toilet seat and toilet bowl.
Imagine speaking out commands to flush, drain a tub, or heat up the toilet seat!
OVER-THE-AIR WIRELESS
One of the main selling points of a flagship smartphone these days is the ability to charge without wires but this still requires the handset owner to place the device on a Qi-compatible charging mat.
The charging mat itself will have to be connected to a power outlet via a wire, so is there hope for true wireless charging? In other words, can power be transferred to a smartphone or other device over the air, just like WiFi sending information, sans cables?
Energous might be on to something with its WattUp Mid Field transmitter, which is capable of sending RF-based power to devices without any wires at all.
Right now, it is able to do so at a mere 0.9 metres, but we are sure this number will increase over time.
When stable coverage is achieved to envelope an entire house, that would be the true measure of success. Imagine simply walking home and your smartphone begins to charge!
Another company, Powercast, showed off the PowerSpot transmitter that claims to be able to juice up multiple devices that remain within about 24m of it.
This is made possible through the creation of a WiFi-like coverage area while utilising the 915 MHz ISM band to provide RF energy to a tiny Powercast receiver chip that is embedded in another individual device.
GETTING OLD? LET TECHNOLOGY HELP YOU
If we had our way, we would love to be 21 forever.
Unfortunately, the ravages of time is something nobody escapes from, so why not learn to age gracefully and safely with some help from technology?
CES 2018 showcased some ideas that will provide added peace of mind for caregivers of the aged.
For starters, there is E-Vone from France, which delivered a range of custom-made shoes and sneakers that are been embedded with a slew of sensors.
These sensors may read like a list of specifications on a smartphone, including GPS, a gyroscope, an accelerometer and a pressure sensor, working in tandem to detect falls at a specific location and to send out a notification to specific contacts that had been pre-programmed earlier.
This is made possible courtesy of an integrated GSM chip which does away with the need for it to remain connected to a smartphone. However, this service will cost US$20 (RM80) every month.
As for the E-Vone shoes, prices range between US$100 and US$150. It will be nice if there is a modular package that can be slapped onto any pair of shoes, making it more widely accessible to the masses.
Personal mobility devices such as electric scooters and Segway clones are deemed to be the domain of the young and hip but technology has knocked on the doors of the wheelchair industry to reveal the Whill Model Ci.
Whill has boasted of technologically advanced wheelchairs in the past, culminating in the US$4,000 Model Ci that is extremely manoeuvrable.
It is capable of scooting around at a maximum speed of 8km/h with a 16km range on a full charge.
The custom-designed set of front wheels is simply brilliant, allowing the user to steer with far greater agility than before without having to turn. This is attributed to smaller rollers in the front wheels that enables forward and sideways movement, and can be steered via a mobile app or joystick.
You do not have to fold it when it comes to storage. The Model Ci can be easily taken apart, making it a snap to place in a car boot.
One of the primary dangers of falling with old people are broken bones that can take a very long time to heal.
Since airbags in vehicles have become a standard safety feature for some time already, how about translating that idea into a wearable belt that boasts of hidden airbags on both sides?
The Hip’Air relies on the integrated accelerometer and gyroscope to work together. Upon detecting the motions of a fall, the airbags will inflate automatically in under 0.08 seconds, making it a great help to cushion any impact.
FITNESS WEARABLES AND 3D PRINTING
There is only so much that can be done when it comes to a fitness wearable device, apart from making it smaller and more efficient.
While we will continue to see staples from Garmin and other companies that deliver wearables for fitness enthusiasts, the ceiling of innovation does feel as though it is relatively lower compared to other areas of technology.
You will also have noticed that 3D printing has not really taken off in a big way in Malaysia. However, there is still a small community of enthusiasts who love coming up with their own designs and projects.
3D printers for the masses continue to plod along with small advancements, but it does not look as though adequate effort has been put in to have it flourish.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Is humanity better off with all of the technology on display? While life has certainly become a lot more convenient and efficient, the drive to constantly improve and be ahead might not be properly harnessed if we forget about the very thing that makes us human: Relationships.
As you mull over the latest consumer electronics devices and advancements made in the industry, why not use the time saved in performing a particular task by spending it with your loved ones?
There is no point in being connected to the world with the latest smartphone in your hands when you are old and balding with no one willing to spend time with you.
Technology is meant to help us get closer to one another and not separate us but there is a very real danger of getting caught up in all of the excitement that the most important people in your life are passed by.
CES 2018 has shown just how technology is able to serve humanity well, and the future looks bright and full of hope.