Our lives are getting smarter at break-neck speed.
All your favourite gadgets are connected, the internet is faster than ever, and artificial intelligence is on the rise.
So, where exactly is the technology sector heading?
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) for 2019 aimed to answer that question in Las Vegas for the beginning of 2019. With focus topics like artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and the rise of 5G, there were plenty of exciting ideas to discuss this year. 2019’s event was a little larger than the last, with around 4,500 exhibitors showcasing the latest tech trends.
Here are some the best highlights from CES Las Vegas.
Cars and Vehicles
The future of driving is on the way. This year, Uber and Bell teamed up to create something called the “Nexus air taxi,” an autonomous hybrid electric vehicle that can fly. The hovering car can transport up to five people using ducting fans and could be available to purchase by the mid-2020s.
If flying cars sound a bit too “back to the future” for you, why not try a walking vehicle instead? Hyundai demonstrated the Elevate walking car this year, which gives greater mobility to first responders by allowing their vehicles to “climb” over walls, gaps, and other obstacles.
There’s even a new option for bike lovers. Harley Davidson announced their very first electric motorcycle this year, which is available now to pre-order. The planet-friendly bike can travel up to 110 miles on a single charge.
Consumer Robotics
If concerns about robots bent on world domination were getting you down during 2018, CES has the cure. The 2019 expo showcased Japan’s Groove X “Lovot.” This cuddly plush-covered robot gives consumers their very own robotic pet that wants to be loved and can fall asleep on your lap just like a kitten. The verdict is still out on how cute a robot teddy is.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for something more practical, then you can try the “Foldimate” instead. This simple robot can fold a load of laundry within five minutes, and it’ll be ready to purchase at the end of the year.
Home Comforts
Often, tech innovation at CES is all about making consumer lives easier. This year was no exception. We saw the Numi 2.0 by Kohler – an intelligent toilet which can talk to you, play your favourite music, heat your seat, and even flush for you.
For people interested in oral hygiene, the new “Y Brush” claims to clean your teeth perfectly within 10 seconds so that you can waste less time at the sink. The device was developed by “Fasteesh” in France to speed up brushing. There’s also the Oral-B AI toothbrush to tell you about areas you’ve missed when you clean.
The smart fridge also got an update this year, with Samsung’s new device that links to Amazon Alexa and Google Assist. The refrigerator comes with a screen where you can leave notes and photos, or even order an Uber.
Finally, something for the furry critters in your home. Pet company “PurrSong” debuted a smart litter box that automatically cleans itself, as well as topping up the cat litter. You only need to deal with a smelly box every 3 weeks or so.
TV Entertainment
Televisions are a popular area of focus at CES. This year, we saw an influx in the rise of “8K televisions”, the latest in high-quality HD viewing. The LG 8K OLED TV improves both sound and visuals for an immersive moment with your favourite shows.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for something more compact, you could also try the LG roll-up TV. This 65-inch OLED screen can roll into a small tube so that you can put it elsewhere when you’re not using it. Imagine how much easier it will be to move home with tech like that.
Samsung also showed off a micro-LED 75-inch television with a “wall” design that you can customise to any size you like. You can add new panels to create a more extensive skin or add vertical panels to show off smartphone videos.
Exercise and Fitness
We all know that we need to spend more time on exercise – but it’s hard to find the motivation. Fortunately, if you think that standard exercise bikes are a snore, then the NordicTrack VR Bike could be just what you’re looking for. Complete with the HTC Vive Focus VR visor, you can play games as you pedal for the ultimate fitness experience.
Alternatively, if bikes aren’t your thing, try the latest treadmill from SportsArt. The Verde treadmill generates electricity that you can funnel back into your home as you work out.
Computers and Laptops
CES 2019 also showcased a new range of laptops and tablets for the months to come, including a new line of “flexible” PCs from Samsung. The laptops will allow you to sketch on your screen and take notes on the go. Samsung also showed off their Space Monitor, a flexible arm that stores the laptop screen against a wall so that you can reduce the space taken up on your desk. The arm also holds any wires out of the way.
Not to be outdone, LG also introduced a range of new lightweight laptops intended for portability and convenience. The LG Gram, for instance, comes with a fully rotating screen so you can choose between a laptop or tablet experience. This could be ideal for the remote workers that are growing so common today.
Finally, Huawei showed off their flagship MateBook device – a thinner computing option than the latest Air MacBook, with video playback features and a touchscreen display. The new computer will be ready to start shipping at the end of January.
Other Amazing Stuff
There were plenty of other fantastic items and ideas to explore at CES this year. For instance, 5G was the talk of the town for many, with chip-makers and wireless carriers alike demonstrating what people can accomplish with a faster connection speed.
Additionally, as people become more concerned with what they eat, the Impossible Foods company revealed the Impossible Burger 2.0. This meat-free burger looks, tastes and even “bleeds” like a regular meaty burger, so you can’t tell you’re going vegan.
Finally, while CES is less focused on smartphone tech these days, Huawei still had a chance to show off their Honor View 20, with its impressive 48-megapixel rear camera, complete with 3D capabilities.
What were your favourite innovations from the show? Share them with us in the comments below.
