The Consumer Electronics Show, or CES, has officially opened its doors and this year promises to be one of the most exciting in recent memory.
The world’s biggest technology trade show has been the proving ground for innovators and ground-breaking tech since it first began in 1967. CES is where companies showcase all the shiny new products you’ll be drooling at and forking over your hard-earned money for in the very near future. Some of the most notable products that debuted in CES are VHS recorders, the CD player, the Xbox, and ultrabook laptops.
Here are some of the products, developments, and announcements we are expecting at CES 2016.
Virtual Reality
It seems like 2016 will be the year that every gamer’s wet dream will come true: market-ready virtual reality headsets like the Oculus Rift, Playstation VR, and HTC Vive will finally be available, allowing for truly-immersive video game experiences. Goodbye, real world!
Augmented Reality
By blending reality with overlaid digital images, AR hardware devices similar to Google Glass and Microsoft HoloLens are expected to make waves this year with brands like Sony, Matter and Form, Voke VR, and Infinity AR leading the charge. By enhancing our perception of reality through manipulable information superimposed on our environment, augmented reality devices may just replace smartphones as the nexus of our digital lives pretty soon.
Next-Gen Cars
At its core, cars have remained the same for the last hundred years in the sense that, despite innovations in power and design, humans are still required to drive them. In the last few months though, the race to build a self-driving car has moved beyond Google and Tesla; Ford, Daimler, Audi, and BMW are already working on their own models. Like it or not, autonomous cars are coming.
Digital homes and smart gadgets
Watch out for an explosion of everyday items you never thought could be brought to the 21st century thanks to the burgeoning Internet Of Things (IOT) revolution. Major product makers Samsung, LG, and Panasonic will be embedding software, sensors, and network connectivity to items as varied as power outlets, washers, refrigerators, coffee makers, and door locks giving us unprecedented control over our homes. Google’s Nest Learning Thermostat, Apple HomeKit, Thread, and Wink will all see mainstream adoption as compatible products pop up.
Drones
This year, a huge percentage of the showroom floor at CES will be devoted to drones a step ahead of last year’s quadcopter + camera combo. Advanced sensor arrays, wider range, and the ability to take off mid-air are just some of the innovations expected to be foisted to the public this year. Companies to watch out for are GoPro, UVify, DJI, and Lily Robotics.
Companion bots
While not yet fully mainstream, the trend in robotics is in making unobtrusive and nonthreatening robots that interact with humans and keep us company. Several companion bots worth keeping an eye on are Jibo, touted as the world’s first social robot for the home; Buddy, by French company Blue Frog Robotics; and the minimalist Patin by Japanese company Flower Robotics.
Make sure to follow us on Twitter @InquirerPOP for more CES highlights, news, and updates over the course of the week.
