CES 2021 Launches Virtually

https://youtu.be/6KZigyArsjQ

Normally, the first part of January is one of the busiest for those who work on the Las Vegas Strip.  The annual tech convention, CES is normally in town and filling the hotels up with over 150,000 attendees.  Most of the cities largest convention spaces are filled with booths where companies from all over the world display their latest and greatest technologies to the “Industry Only” participants. For the more well-heeled exhibitors, The resort’s best suites and fanciest restaurants are turned into smaller, private showrooms. Many of them are “invite-only”.

CES, is where we get to see what’s on the horizon for the consumer electronics makers.  Here is how I describe CES: if it has a computer chip in it and it is sold to you, the consumer, it’s probably here.  Just not this year.  Because of the virus panic and the shutdowns, this year it went virtual.

CES Goes Virtual

The first-ever, all-digital CES® 2021 made history as the largest digital tech event. Almost 2000 companies unveiled next-gen innovation for a better future. Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®, the all-digital CES 2021 featured product launches from startups to tech giants, keynotes from global industry leaders, live entertainment from Hollywood and more than 100 hours of conference programming.

“The all-digital CES 2021 engaged the global tech community to experience innovation, make connections and conduct business,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CTA. “CES showed how the pandemic accelerated the arc of innovation and illustrated the resilience and innovative spirit of our industry. From the latest innovations for the home and entertainment, and advances in 5G, vehicle technology, AI and digital health, the technologies at CES 2021 will pave the way for a brighter tomorrow.”

CES 2021 kicked off on Jan. 11 with Media Day, featuring 19 press conferences with companies including Bosch, Canon, Caterpillar, Hisense, Intel, LG Electronics, Mercedes-Benz, Panasonic, Samsung Electronics and Sony breaking news and launching products. Trends from Media Day focused on “the home” with innovation that personalizes work, health and entertainment at home, as well as advancements.

The all-digital CES 2021 featured groundbreaking innovation that will improve our world, from health to safety, sustainability, and accessibility.

• Tech Innovation Accelerated by COVID-19
  • Tech companies innovated during the pandemic, with companies at CES 2021 featuring smart masks, disinfecting robots, body sensors that detect COVID-19 symptoms and smart air filtration systems.
• Consumer Privacy and Trust
  • The heads of privacy at Amazon, Google and Twitter discussed new privacy regulations and the need to increase consumer trust, stating that tech companies must give users more control over their data.
• Global Tech Challenge
  • The Global Tech Challenge, launched at CES 2020, in partnership with the World Bank and CTA, rewards tech solutions in three areas: digital health in East Africa, resilience in India and gender equality around the world. The selected winners were announced this week from more than 1000 applications, with three winners selected for gender equality, 10 for resilience and 17 for digital health.
• Space Tech
  • NASA was joined by leaders from Lockheed Martin and Space Tango to discuss technology’s role in accelerating space research and breakthroughs that will benefit all of humanity.

CES 2021 Wraps up today. I will have an overview of events along with some product launches over the next week.

It looks like CES 2022 will be back in Las Vegas in a hybrid format(?) January 5 to January 8, 2022