i3 | November 03, 2017

Get Ready for CES 2018

by 
Consumer Technology Association

As the world’s gathering place for technology, CES is the global stage for innovation, opportunity and collaboration. The event brings together the biggest names in every major industry as well as budding new business ventures, making it the perfect environment for making deals and partnerships.

Last year, on its 50th anniversary, CES attracted more than 180,000 attendees — including more than 65,000 senior level executives. CES 2018 is set to be even more powerful. Driven by emerging products that disrupt the status quo and seamlessly integrate into consumers’ daily lives, CES 2018 will feature more than 3,900 exhibiting companies.

CES represents some 24 product categories and in 2018 will feature four new Marketplaces to excite attendees: Artificial Intelligence (AI), CES Sports Zone, Design and Source and Smart Cities. Eureka Park, CES’ flagship area for entrepreneurs, will expand from 600 companies to 800 startups. CES 2018 will also feature a brand new high-tech retailing conference.

CES covers the entire technology ecosystem including artificial intelligence, driverless cars, drones, health and fitness, sports tech, connected smart home technology and the Internet of Things that will continue to grow thanks to 5G networks. These technologies are changing the world.

Ultra High-Definition 4K (4K UHD) is gaining traction with its demonstrably better picture quality and sales of 13 million units valued at $10 billion. Other exciting new technologies like High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Wide Color Gamut (WCG) enhance all aspects of an excellent television picture in addition to the increased pixels of 4K UHD.

Groundbreaking CES Marketplaces

These unique exhibit areas group new technologies and feature up-and-coming products, services and companies and showcase new technology ranging from cybersecurity and robotics to smart homes and 3D printing. For example, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and gaming will be prominent on the show floor.

From Google Cardboard to the Oculus Rift to Pokémon GO, virtual and augmented reality are becoming real for consumers. Travel companies can now give vacation planners a preview of their final destination. Real estate agents can show remote homes to clients and media companies can immerse audiences in stories in a new way. Exhibitors will showcase the next wave of immersive multimedia for VR systems and environments in the Gaming & Virtual Reality Marketplace, including KODAK PIXPRO Digital Cameras & Devices, Carl ZEISS, AG - ZEISS Multimedia Devices, Royole Corp., Vrtify and GIROPTIC. And the new Augmented Reality Marketplace will feature new, disruptive technologies that will change how we learn, with exhibitors such as Sony Electronics, Osterhout Design Group and Occipital Inc.

Drones continue to reach new heights — the result of the marriage of unmanned aircraft combined with the action camcorder. Cutting-edge smartphone technology is also a key catalyst in driving the drone industry from companies like Qualcomm with its Snapdragon platform. The cost of MEMS, accelerometers and gyroscopes has dropped, while cheap and powerful microcontrollers are enabling low-cost and powerful navigational control systems, encouraging a surge in drones.

Drones are changing how we view the world from aerial coverage for sports to enhancing search and rescue and helping in disaster relief. This growing industry is expected to reach $1 billion by the end of the decade. Reflecting the explosive growth in the market, the Drones Marketplace at CES 2018 has increased by 33 percent over the 2016 show. Covering more than 32,000 net square feet, this exhibit area will feature companies including DJI, Yuneec, EHang, Qualcomm and Airbus.

In-vehicle communications are making cars safer and drivers more connected. Companies at CES 2018 will unveil immersive infotainment experiences for the car, including access notifications and navigation systems. The Self-Driving Technologies Marketplace will showcase vehicle tech of the future including selfdriving and driver assist technologies. CES 2018 will highlight the latest in electric and energy-efficient vehicles and car safety tech ranging from parking assistance to collision avoidance and emergency braking.

Wearable devices are making us more knowledgeable about our health, from disease management, to caloric intake, body movement, blood pressure and glucose levels. Wearable technology, accounting for nearly $5 billion in 2015, is expected to grow by 20 percent this year. The health and fitness segment of the category grew to more than $1.7 billion. The Fitness & Technology and Health & Wellness Marketplaces at CES have grown by 21 percent from 2016. See the latest health and fitness tech at CES 2018 from detection of early-onset diseases, remote care for loved ones and health data that link to devices.

3D printing is another disruptive market that is transforming lives. Two-thirds of manufacturers use 3D printing in some way and 25 percent plan to use it in the future. Most 3D printers are used for building prototypes for the medical, aerospace, engineering and automotive industries. But these machines are moving toward more compact units with affordable price points for consumers.

The 3D Printing Marketplace at CES 2018 will feature more than 45 companies showcasing innovations within the 3D printing space. This dynamic exhibit area will cover more than 17,500 net square feet with exhibitors like Dassault Systems, Soraa and XYZ Printing.

The latest technologies from diverse areas such as robotics, cybersecurity, automotive, health and fitness, virtual and augmented reality, 3D printing and many more innovations will be on display at CES 2018. They will provide new opportunities and jobs to improve the world. The future of consumer technology is bright. It’s also mobile, connected and virtual. Technology advances that improve the world will be unveiled to the world January 9-12, in Las Vegas, at CES 2018. Join us! Visit CES.tech.

November/December 2017 i3 Cover Issue

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