CES Asia 2018 to chart changing consumer tech trends

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has announced that CES Asia 2018 will highlight advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) as a new dedicated product category on the showfloor. The move builds on the successful demonstration of AI applications across the latest consumer tech products showcased at CES earlier this year, including the launch of the AI-powered Huawei Mate 10 smartphone.

The premier event for the consumer technology industry in Asia, CES Asia showcases major brands and innovative companies across several vertical markets in the Asian marketplace. Key global businesses are expected to visit this event to grow and reinforce their brand by showcasing the latest products and technologies to consumer tech industry executives, foreign buyers, international media and a limited number of consumers from China. Attendees have exclusive access to some of the largest brands from China and around the world, while celebrating the innovation that defines the consumer technology sector.

With China setting the pace to become a global innovation leader in AI, Shanghai-based CES Asia will bring together the biggest players shaping the future of AI. Alibaba AI Labs, Baidu DuerOS and voice recognition specialist iFLYTEK are some of the CES Asia exhibitors in this space, Alibaba AI Labs for the first time, demonstrating the latest in big data analytics, speech recognition and predictive technology.

Source: CTA. Kelley.

“Artificial intelligence is one of those exciting technologies that will become ubiquitous in the next decade as it becomes more deeply embedded in the products that we use day in and day out to make our lives better, ” said John Kelley, Senior Director, international programs and show director, CES Asia.

“AI is already being incorporated in everyday consumer technology products that provide practical benefits, including cars, smart homes, robotics, health and wellness devices and home security. China is leading the way in AI, embracing innovation and setting global standards and it will be front and centre during CES Asia 2018!”

Kelley said other major trends at CES this year that he expects to see at CES Asia included augmented reality, virtual reality as well as new hardware galore: drones, robotics, and automotive technology. CES featured AI-assisted, driverless and more energy-efficient vehicles, as well as drones that are smaller, more energy-efficient, and can be controlled by smartphones. In the case of virtual reality, more content is now available to support the hardware.

"We're seeing it play out at CES and seeing it play out at CES Asia," he said.

He also observed the rise of voice recognition as a way to interact with devices. "Companies are just figuring out what this means," he said.

In the audiovisual space, 4K was the story at CES, he added, with some companies venturing into 8K display technology. A 65" rollable TV from LG had also caught his eye. "It changes the concept of the TV as the centre of your living room, the idea that the TV has to live on your wall 365 days a year," he said. LG will be an exhibitor at CES Asia 2018.

The Asian event will cater to the unique needs of the region, accommodating solutions for relatively small homes compared to the US event, and featuring solutions to air pollution that is a concern in many Asian cities, Kelley said.

Automotive vendors will include first-timers Honda and Mitsubishi, Kelley said, as well as returning exhibitor Toyota. "We're seeing more companies from within the region having a presence this year," he said.

The GT Wonder Boy social robot.

ARM Accelerator and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology will bring several exhibitors to CES Asia. Independent exhibitors include Camsing Global, EMOS Technologies, Hangzhou Taruo Information Technology, HUMU Augmented Audio Cushion, Moran, Morpx, Sogou Teemo and Xvisio Technology.

GT Robot Technology, a Singapore-based firm that specialises in humanoid robotic solutions, will exhibit at CES Asia for the first time. “GT Wonder Boy is Singapore’s first SMART social bot companion, a reflection of Singapore’s shift towards a SMART Nation,” said Revathi, spokesperson for GT Robot Technology. “We are harnessing the power of technology in an era of digitisation, driving efficiency, creating something truly transformational.”

GT Wonder Boy, weighing 550g and 24cm tall, is targeted at businesses. The robot has an AI brain, and will adapt to the user's habits. GT Wonder Boy also understands 13 languages, which will allow users to speak to it in one language and have it make a request in another language.

"We're looking to value-add to how smart technologies are being adopted in the office right now," she said.

Source: French Tech. Alix.

Thomas Alix, MD, Keyrus South East Asia, representing country association French Tech, said that French companies would be exhibiting at the CES Asia startup area to look for partners, launch new products and initiatives, as well as meet potential investors. "We're very happy to join CES Shanghai as it is booming now and more and more important in Asia," he said.

Details:

Owned and produced by International CES Shanghai Exhibition Company and co-produced by Shanghai Intex, CES Asia 2018 will run from June 13-15, 2018 in Shanghai, China. The China CEO Summit is colocated with CES Asia.

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Watch the Instavideo of the GT Wonder Boy dancing

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