Scio food scanner, Samsung family hub smart refrigerator, Ehang passenger drones, Kodak Retro digital – where else would five days be dedicated getting a glimpse of a future enriched with technology and innovation except for the CES 2016. As the show ended on January 9, 2016, it was clear once again that CES 2016 continued its trend of showing the best of a smart life, top lined with the internet of everything. While there was much to be seen in terms of consumer technology ranging from connected devices (from scented wake-up alarms to bluetooth pregnancy tests), virtual reality, super smart cars, and appliances, CES 2016 did not really make a headline that would shake up the tech community.
Gadgets, Everyone
In every way, CES 2016 closed with breaking records across the board. More than 3,800 exhibitors unveiled the latest in technology. The show saw some intense momentum on social media including 1,278,870 mentions of the #CES2016 hashtag and 15.2 billion total potential social media impressions from January 5-9.
“It was awe-inspiring to see traditional and non-traditional ‘tech’ industries meet to brainstorm, partner and collaborate on ways to do business and address global issues. Technology now touches every facet of our lives, from improving our workouts and the way we sleep, to keeping us safe on the roads and in our homes and even preventing or treating illnesses. CES has cemented its position as the global gathering place for all industries to be wowed by the tens of thousands of ways that technology is changing the world as we know it,” said Gary Shapiro, CEO, Consumer Technology Association.
Automation & Innovation
Emerging innovation was at the heart of this year’s show with 500 startup companies in the Eureka Park Marketplace, up from 375 in 2015. “Eureka Park was incredibly inspiring. The exhibitors see a future that many of us have forgotten was ever there,” said Paul Sabbah, President, Stamford International Inc.
From automotive technology and unmanned systems to wearables and 3D printing, the breadth and depth of innovation on display at CES was unmatched and growing. “You see so many important trends at CES. This week we saw that devices are no longer just connecting to the internet, they are increasingly connected to each other,” commented David Hagan, Chairman & CEO, Boingo Wireless.
According to many attendees, the event this year belonged to auto-manufacturers, which is signature of the tech breakthroughs that the industry has been investing in. Interesting to note that five years ago, automobile was barely present at the CES. In many ways, the technology presented showed evolution but is unlikely to revolutionize – whether it is consumption patterns or how consumers interact with technology.
