CES 2020 Insight into the most inspiring new technologies connecting brands with consumers

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Introduction

3 Introduction

4 CES in numbers

6 Best of CES

12 Smart homes get smarter

14 Fly into the future of air travel

16 Change is in the air

18 Own the ears, own the world

19 Bringing healthcare home

20 Cool tech, warm brands

Contents

With the monumental advancements of the 2010s fresh on our minds, the world entered 2020 with high expectations. Our visions of the future are grander, more progressive and more demanding of technology than ever. And as CES 2020 was quick to remind us, just a week into the new year, that ambitious hope for a new decade that goes beyond anything predicted in Back to the Future or Blade Runner is, in many ways, not all that far off.

CES has spent more than half a century as the global stage on which the latest consumer technologies have been introduced to the world, where next-generation innovations are revealed and future-facing ideas – the ideas previously

relegated to those above-mentioned films – are incubated and brought into real-world existence.

This year’s conference lived up to that history, setting the tone for the upcoming decade. The 2020s are the future as we’ve always imagined it. From the evolution of smart assistants, to the promise of flying taxis (Uber and Hyundai assure us they are coming in 2023), the world’s largest companies demonstrated that every smart technology we’ve dreamt about is on the tipping point of fruition.

Here are some of our key takeaways and favourite new technologies from CES, the meaning behind them and the impact they will have on businesses and brands...

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CES in numbers

2.9 million 4.5k+NET SQ FT OF EXHIBIT SPACE EXHIBITING COMPANIES

175k+TOTAL ATTENDANCE

1k+SPEAKERS

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Best of CES

If you only have five minutes to spend on a CES round-up, spend it wisely and spend it here – our key tech takeaways. CES 2020 showcased more than 4,500 companies and saw over 175,000 attendees from 160 countries. We saw a focus on products that drive real change in consumer behaviour and impact how we, as marketers, not only respond to but also anticipate and find opportunity in that change.Here is a deeper look at some of this year’s stand-out innovations:

OH, YOU PRETTY THINGS!

From fitness to beautification, wellness remains a focal point for innovation with tech that inspires users to pursue the best versions of themselves.

• The VAY Sports app lets users bring personal training with them wherever they go by leveraging AI to provide real-time feedback on form.

• Manta5, the world’s first Hydrofoil e-bike, broadens possibilities for cyclers as it lets them bike on water.

• In the beauty world, Opte scans the face for dark marks and deposits serum droplets accordingly, while the Tailored 3D Mask uses 3D printing to create custom sheet masks that address specific skin needs.

• Prinker, the temporary tattoo device, helps users create custom tattoos and print them on skin instantly.

• Shoeblast goes beyond appearance, tackling smelly shoes with heat and UV light to sterilise them and eliminate odour.

LOOKING FOR WATER

From designs that save lives to designs that save time, the food and drink category featured a full spectrum of tech-driven products.

• Watergen’s Solar Genny provides access to safe drinking water through a unique water from air generator using solar energy.

• PepsiCo’s Hydration Platform allows consumers to get personalised beverages sustainably.

• Albi Home M is a smart wine dispenser that pours the perfect glass every time and allows open wine to be stored properly for up to six months, while Bartesian makes it simple to enjoy authentic cocktails at home.

• Cookingpal’s Julia is a one-stop shop for at-home cooking, allowing you to chop, steam, knead, weigh and cook within one single appliance.

• SmartyPans have built-in sensors to measure and weigh food.

• Heatbox is a self-heating lunchbox that uses steam technology as an alternative to microwaving.

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TECH ON THE WAY

Some of the concepts and products shown at CES in years past needed time to ripen and mature. The same is true this year. Here are a few pieces of tech that will be in widespread use in the first half of this decade.

• Mobileye’s autonomous driving tech has been implemented by 25+ automakers, adding motion detection and helping to boost safety of self-driving cars.

• Segway’s S-Pod improves the original model by balancing the driver’s centre of gravity and allowing them to sit down while using it.

• Dronisos enables indoor and outdoor use of drones for entertainment.

• Home security has evolved with Athena, the world’s first biometric outdoor security camera that incorporates voice recognition.

• Powered by an advanced biometrics analytics camera, Soteria provides real-time heat maps, facial recognition and other forms of data that are especially promising within the retail landscape.

• Facial recognition engine FaceMe claims to have an accuracy rate of 99.5% and is optimised for AI hardware.

HERO TECH

Technology for good was yet again a pervasive topic. Products focusing on giving the gift of independence remain at the forefront.

• The MyEye2 is a small AI-powered camera that connects to the frames of your glasses to read and deliver content audibly for the visually impaired.

• LexiLens uses patented technology to space out letters and sound combinations to accelerate reading skills for those impacted by dyslexia.

• NeoMano is a robotic glove that provides assistance to those with hand paralysis. Everyday activities, such as reading a book or opening a door, can now be made easier.

• Originally developed for concerts, the Loop Earplug filters out sounds through a connected app.

• The Snore Circle electronically stimulates the muscles of the throat to minimise snoring while sleeping.

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SCARY MONSTERS AND SUPER CREEPS

With the ongoing global conversations around data security and protection, privacy is having a major tech moment.

• The SecureDrive Duo is the only encrypted flash drive in the world with a keypad plus Bluetooth authentication.

• Winston, an alternative to VPN, is the only privacy device that sits between a modem and router to protect the user’s identity and browsing activity.

• D-ID modifies online photos and videos in a way that keeps the same appearance but blocks facial recognition.

• Tombot, Pibo and Lovot are all robots that are designed to ingest data about the human they are interacting with. Tombot is a robot dog, created as a companion for the elderly. Pibo and Lovot’s facial recognition technology help them to be in tune with their owners’ feelings and provide comfort.

EVOLUTION OF MONITORING

While wearables are nothing new, these products and companies are breaking new ground on what we’re capable of tracking.

• Aerbetic uses nano sensors to analyse exhaled breath, while LifePlus measures blood glucose through haptic sensors from veins under the skin.

• The IEVA Twin-C combines traditional wearable tracking with measurement of environmental factors.

• The Electronic Caregiver wearable device monitors all home healthcare needs.

• Xenoma’s E-Skin uses embedded technology to detect motion and monitor vital signs, and Ejenta monitors the health of individuals in space and uses AI to determine potential health concerns in advance.

• The wearable category has also extended to fish with Bluefin, the first non-invasive device for tracking and monitoring marine life.

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Smart homes get smarter

Early Monday morning at Mandalay Bay, Dr Park, Chief Technology Officer of LG Electronics, unveiled how AI will progress to form an integrated system within our homes and change the very nature of the home appliance business. As Jean-François Gagné, founder and CEO of Element AI, joined Dr. Park on stage, LG unveiled the four pillars of its AI technology which will form the foundation of this progression, along with the corresponding artificial learning associated with each level.

At the first and most basic stage, simple sensor and functional responses are achievable. Segueing into level two, products begin adjusting behaviours based on prior learning to improve response and avoid past errors. However, the real advancements start at level three, when real-time factors become part of the reasoning process and enable advanced suggestion. At the fourth and final level, AI rises to ‘Explorational’ behaviours based on the ability to access data above and beyond initial programming, ultimately yielding personalised, predictive engagement with users.

LG’s focus on AI wasn’t just about the tech, but rather how the tech and what it enables are evolving. While all aspects of our lives are becoming intelligent touchpoints, the future of AI will be about its relationship with human experience.

Here are a few examples of how the AI-enabled intelligent devices will transform our lives in our homes...

TRANSFORMING BUSINESS WITH THINQBuilding upon AI innovation, LG transitioned the discussion towards their ThinQ technology, which not only improves product performance, but maximises and expands the life of appliances. For example, ThinQ enables washers to sense fabrics and set the proper cleaning cycles, in addition to administering the precise levels of detergent to prevent degradation of clothing. This same technology also warns of improper use and obstacles that may inhibit optimal performance, such as uncleared lint blockages, which can lead to permanent damage if left unresolved, forcing consumers prematurely into the repurchasing cycle.

THE HEART OF THE HOMEShifting from the laundry room to the kitchen, LG continued to promote its refrigerators with exclusive Craft Ice features. Slow-drip freezing technology produces 2” diameter spheres, perfect for the aspiring mixologist or general consumers looking to enjoy other beverages without experiencing the watered-down effect of smaller ice particles.

Further enhancing the cooking experience, LG has carried their ‘Instaview’ technology to their ovens, granting the everyday chef the ability to monitor progress without opening the door, which increases cook time due to loss of heat. New ovens also feature Air Fry technology. Now every cook can save time and attain that coveted ‘crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside’ effect culinary enthusiasts strive for.

TV OR NOT TVThe focus of discussion jumped off the screen when LG introduced their new OLED and NanoCell technology available in a myriad of sizes. The experience offered by 8K promises to take the streaming to the next level and includes features like Film Maker mode, with disables all post-processing and enables viewers to experience movies as intended by the directors themselves. Furthermore, voice-activated commands via remote will allow viewers to query locations for on-screen scenes, as well as details on where they can find the outfit worn by their favorite actor or actress in real-time. Sports updates will be available, too.

Meanwhile, gamers will be excited about GeForce and G-SYNC technology. As NVIDIA’s VP and GM, Kaustubh Sanghani stepped on stage, video visuals highlighted unparalleled capabilities creating the fastest and smoothest gaming experience ever. No longer will gamers suffer tearing, stuttering, or lag. Synchronised display refresh rates now allow gamers to enjoy unprecedented sharpness, clarity and vibrancy of colour.

For a more portable yet immersive experience, the LG G8X dual-screen smartphone will offer an innovative feature for gamers, a detachable OLED display.

As LG rounded out the TV portion of the presentation, aesthetics were clearly front and centre. In addition to announcing that rollable

screen technology will be available to customers in 2020, LG unveiled a new 48-inch OLED 4K TV, in addition to the GX Gallery Series 4K TV measuring a mere 0.79-inches thick.

CHEERS TO 2020But the show didn’t end there. Dave VanderWaal, SVP of Marketing, closed out the morning presentation with the introduction of LG’s Signature Wine Cellar. The refrigeration unit preserves wines and allows enthusiasts to experience them as vintners intended. Capabilities include multi-storage temperatures to accommodate red wines, white wines and champagne all in one unit, as well as settings which will allow for the perfect humidity, light and even vibration.“I’ll wash this load with the custom cycle you created.”

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Fly into the future of air travel

What does the future of air travel look like? According to Delta Air Lines CEO, Ed Bastian – who became the first aviation executive to deliver a keynote speech at CES – it’s about ‘applied innovation’, making journeys easier, safer and less stressful from start to finish.

With the scan of a boarding pass, consumers will be able to access personalised airport information in their own language and receive app alerts when their specific group, not just their flight is boarding. Everyone will own a digital bag-tag with in-built GPS, while seamless and continuous biometric screening will finally bring an end to lengthy airport security queues.

Travellers will even be able to start the in-flight entertainment on their way to the airport, freeing up time to relax or download more content via a dedicated ‘binge button’ on seat-back screens. The personal experience, from home to destination, is key.

Bastian touted these and other technological developments from Delta during his keynote address at CES 2020 in Las Vegas.

“It looks like science fiction, but it’s actually closer than you think,” he told delegates. “We’re investing billions of dollars in airport infrastructure and reshaping and redefining the airport experience.”

This summer for example, Delta, in partnership with Misapplied Sciences, will start testing personalised airport messaging at Detroit Metro Airport. Travellers will receive individual communications in their native language, such as personal flight information or which baggage carousel their luggage will arrive at.

“It doesn’t matter how many people are looking at the same screen, at the same time, each will see the information that’s tailored to them, without a hint that everyone is seeing something different,” Bastian says.

Updates to the Fly Delta mobile app, meanwhile, will shortly include the more detailed group boarding alerts, and an increased tie-in with ride-hailing company Lyft, which includes the option for vehicle upgrades paid for by Delta Sky Miles.

Internal research was conducted using Fitbits to truly understand consumer need and to determine stressful moments in travel, such as weather delays, unexpected turbulence and lost luggage. Delta pilots already have an app feature that allows them to predict upcoming turbulence, so that they can communicate it to crew and passengers in order to reduce onboard anxiety. Now, Delta passengers will also be able to receive push notifications to let them know that their bags are onboard.

In the longer-term, Bastian wants the Fly Delta app to intuitively coordinate travel to and from

the airport using real-time data such as weather and traffic.

The app will partner with brands such as CarePod to give travellers the ability to track pets and children travelling alone. Travellers will also be able to send bags on ahead and to start watching in-flight entertainment as soon as they’ve checked-in.

“We have a bold vision for the Fly Delta app to evolve into the ultimate digital travel concierge,” Bastion told delegates. “It will make the trip less stressful, more relaxing and more enjoyable.”

On board the flight, Delta already recycles waste plastic into blankets and is exploring new ways to keep its cabins clean through a partnership with a start-up called Vital Vio, which makes antimicrobial wipes.

Bastian told CES delegates that the proposed ‘binge button’ on seat-back screens is being tested later this year. It will enable travellers to stream TV series while recommending shows and films based on previous entertainment choices.

“Because we carry 200 million people across the world each year, the opportunities for our innovations to have meaningful impact is tremendous,” says Bastian.

“We engage with 600,000 customers every 15 minutes – that’s the population of Vancouver every hour. So when we envisage what the future of air travel looks like, we have to think big, start small and scale very fast.”

He concludes: “The opportunities to better connect people across the world are truly endless and technology will help us to do it even better.”

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Change is in the air

Autonomous cars have been a fixture at CES for a while, and despite wild predictions from Tesla, Uber and others, the promises haven’t delivered on freeing humans from the drudgery of the commute. With space at a premium and infrastructure not catching up, companies are taking tech travel to the air – literally.

In the rapid-moving race to more precise autonomous driving, Toyota has moved at a slow but steady speed – up until now. The automotive brand revealed plans for robotic, van-like pods, in addition to the formulation of a mobility service platform meant for eCommerce and shared rides.

Hyundai, meanwhile, has partnered with Uber and is set to spend US$1.5bn to develop shared air transportation between suburbs and cities, with a long-term plan to eventually transition to transport within cities as well.

Uber may be sharing the air transport space, as Texas-based Bell Helicopter also unveiled an air taxi vehicle called the Bell Nexus. Boasting vertical take-off and landing capabilities, and equipped for five passengers, the Bell Nexus is focusing on the passenger experience.

“This vehicle is going to be a part of the Internet of Things,” Scott Drennen, Bell’s Director of Innovation, told The Verge. “The customer will be

experiencing a part of the Internet of Things as they travel in the vehicle, with the connectivity that’s going to happen from the place they took off from to the place they’re going, with the ability to connect to friends, workers, colleagues, etc.”

Bell is planning on a Bell Nexus test run in Dallas, Texas in late 2020, with a rollout to select major cities set for the mid-2020s. It may be that the air space race is on, with Uber and Hyundai’s own aircraft – also designed to take off and land vertically – planned for release in 2023.

Despite the promises, post-CES opinion seems to be generally sceptical that we’ll be in the air this decade.

Volkswagen revealed plans at the conference that feel slightly more within reach. In a step towards self-driving cars, Volkswagen

announced a new Silicon Valley-based division, Volkswagen Autonomy, Inc., as part of its umbrella organisation Volkswagen Autonomy GmbH. Demonstrating Volkswagen’s commitment to driverless transport, the new subsidiary will focus on self-driving consumer vehicles and autonomous commercial vehicles.

Audi is also focusing on autonomy in the consumer realm, revealing its concept autonomous car, the AI:ME at CES – the first time it has been seen. The vehicle’s cabin has been designed as a ‘third living space’ for drivers. It will use AI to learn from its driver and their behaviours and react accordingly in manner of seat position, media choices, route options, even temperature and fragrance.

Though the AI:ME will remain a concept car for now, it is still a look at a future that is perhaps more realistic and honest than the promise of autonomous flying vehicles.

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Own the ears, own the world

A major storyline of CES in recent years has been Amazon’s Alexa versus the Google Assistant. It’s not about the machines anymore, but about how they integrate into the flow of our lives to make our worlds frictionless. ‘Smart’ has now become synonymous with AI integration and voice activation.

Google previewed a new feature that allows the Google Assistant to read news articles and other long-form content out loud via voice command, with further capabilities to translate into 42 languages. Google explained that its new reading experience is “built on new voice datasets to create more expressive and more natural sounding voices,” making it easier to listen to for longer periods of time.

But the digital assistant will no longer be limited to the small device which sits within your home. Google showcased all the places the Google Assistant can be found, from connected cars to your Xbox console. And yet, arguably, their takeaway announcement wasn’t what products now feature Google Assistant, so much as it was the notable stat that a whopping 500 million people now use the Assistant each month.

Amazon, on the other hand, was a bit more tight-lipped on their users. Alexa offered up the statistic that there are “hundreds of millions” of Alexa-powered products worldwide, which is a figure that has more than doubled since their appearance at CES 2019.

Along with their userbase, Alexa’s product integration is expanding. There’s the Royole Mirage, an Alexa-powered smart speaker with a wraparound touchscreen and mind-boggling price tag of US$899. There’s the Rivian Amazon OGI, an electric car with built-in Alexa support. Voice commands won’t be limited to navigation, music and phone calls, either – Alexa will be able to do things like pop the boot of the car, open windows and adjust the air conditioning.

Whichever smart assistant you lean towards, the takeaway is clear – smart assistants are only going to continue to integrate into our daily lives at an accelerated speed, improving our homelife and lifestyles in ways big and small.

Bringing healthcare home

In a session between AARP CEO, Jo Ann Jenkins and Samsung’s Vice President, Natalie Schneider, old information was made new. Though it’s common knowledge that the 50+ market is rapidly outgrowing children in population size, the future of that pool is rapidly transforming.

Jenkins implored businesses to acknowledge the spending power of the 50+ market – according to a new AARP report, 50+ Americans spent an estimated US$140bn on technology in 2018 – and to focus on designing products with older consumers in mind.

The incredible amount of economic contribution aside, focusing on products for the elderly will also provide support for a societal problem that is growing exponentially – senior care.

Telehealth will allow the 50+ market to monitor their health at home, around the clock. Currently, this task isn’t possible for many as it is often prohibitively expensive or complicated. Technological developments are making at-home monitoring easier than ever, however.

Think: wearable devices that help with pain, monitor changes in routine or movement, or alert the appropriate contacts in case of falls.

Tokyo-based Xenoma shared a line of smart pyjamas called the e-skin Sleep & Lounge. The sleepwear monitors the wearer’s vitals,

including heartrate and breathing, while the wearer sleeps. Should anything happen to the wearer, including if the wearer trips or falls while awake, the pyjamas set off an alarm.

Complete is an at-home blood pressure monitoring and EKG device. It is cleared by the FDA, meaning healthcare professionals can use the data for treatment processes. This is a huge development for at-home monitoring. Because of its ability to monitor across both blood pressure and electrocardiography, it can detect atrial fibrillation, which is a risk factor for stroke and heart failure.

Another wearable aimed at home monitoring is the CarePredict bracelet, which tracks across a variety of activities such as eating, sleeping, walking and bathroom use, and flags signs of decline in any of these areas. This means that the bracelet predicts problems both physical and mental, such as depression. The CarePredict app will alert family and friends of any worrisome changes in the wearer’s routine, and work with them to coordinate care.

The US Census Bureau predicts that seniors aged 65 and older will double between 2020 and 2050, and that older adults will outgrow children in population size by 2035. In order to care for the older end of the world population, technology will need to bridge the huge gap in generation sizes. Consider this a rallying cry.

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Cool tech, warm brands

Brands are recognising that the essential of brand building still holds true – building deep connections with consumers is key. Technology is often cold and impersonal, so brands are attempting to retain their humour, personality and warmth; putting the beating heart back into their interactions with people.

Consumer goods brands such as P&G are also looking to bridge the cold gap between life and laboratory to improve everyday life. In a literal sense, they introduced GilletteLab’s Heated Razor, which heats up in under a second and replicates the experience of a hot towel shave. The Oral-B Genius X toothbrush uses AI to analyse how its user is brushing and provides advice on how to improve brushing, leading to better oral health. AIRIA, a smart-home fragrance system, uses heating technology to enhance your home’s ambiance through scent.

Actual interaction and companionship also has a tech solution. Tokyo-based robotics start-up Groove X, introduced the Lovot comfort robot in December at its public launch. Based on the concept “a little love can change the world,” Lovot aims to create a companion for human beings. It’s loaded with emotional robotics, touch sensors, facial and hand recognition software and even a heater. Add to that a facial design that rivals the cuteness and innocence of The Mandalorian’s famed ‘baby Yoda’, and it’s clear that every facet of Lovot was created with companionship in mind.

“Lovot does not have life, but being with one is comforting and warm,” said Kaname Hayashi, President of Groove X. “We want people to see

that though something may seem useless at first glance, it serves a meaningful function in other ways.”

Lovot responds to its owner based on how the owner treats it. Someone who treats Lovot with care and affection will, in turn, gain its affection. The robot uses a thermographic camera and high-powered internal computer to read facial expressions, hand gestures and even posture to determine this behaviour and treatment.

“It gently stirs people’s feelings and fills them with happiness,” Hayashi added. “It draws out their capacity to love and gives them energy to face their tomorrows. Though it is not alive, Lovot is warm. It has been created for owners to love it.”

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