CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, America, is the first and largest show of technological innovations of the year. Last year, almost 175,000 people visited CES; in 2021, the show became a virtual exhibition, which has not diminished its potential.
Technologies 20201 are focused on health: all devices related to them will cause predictably high interest of all users. The market is waiting for innovations in health and wellness monitoring – right up to portable medical devices that detect early symptoms of COVID-19. All manufacturers of wireless headphones, voice assistants and robot vacuum cleaners have received a boost. All devices for creating comfort in the home are also extremely important. Smart city and safe transportation technologies are also gaining momentum. Use scenarios for the latest inventions include remote collaboration, gaming, tele-health, online education and entertainment. We will see many inventions that help us learn in a fun and self-directed way.
1 Smart Masks.
Companies are actively releasing products designed to help people cope with COVID-19 fears. At CES 2021, a total of 419 digital medical and 219 wearable devices were on display, including portable air purifiers, hands-free body temperature detectors and EEG brain mapping devices. Companies are competing to create the most advanced protective gadgets. For example, AirPop has launched a face mask whose functions are supported by a mobile app. The San Francisco-based company’s AirPop Active+ Smart Mask tracks facial fitness in the style of a Fitbit, but instead of steps and calories, it counts breathing rate and air quality.
CES photo exhibit
BioSticker™.BioIntelliSense
But the most innovative and notable innovation to date is the BioButton device from BioIntelliSense, a wearable device that continuously measures temperature, heart rate and respiration rate at rest: needed to detect signs of early COVID-19 infection. Also important promises to be the invention of the VROR EYE Dr. – a virtual reality-based eye health headset: the technology stimulates the eyes and an eye-tracking sensor detects their movement. The sensor transforms the data into an algorithm and analyzes it. The device then generates the eye examination data in the form of a digital report. The examination data can be checked and the details can be viewed from a cell phone through the M2S mobile app.
In connection with the pandemic, there has been accelerated development of programs related to remote patient monitoring (including in nursing homes) – there is a software and hardware solution Origin Health, which helps caregivers get information about patients’ condition using Wi-Fi-connected monitors to track movement, activity, breathing, and sleep.
2 Magic TVs.
The trend for impressive MicroLED TVs and “magic” remote controls shows how quickly technology companies are responding to the changing needs of home entertainment. MicroLED 8K TVs, gaming TVs and NextGen TVs are on the list of new entrants to the fast-growing market. For example, Samsung has been introducing massive Micro LED displays for the past few years, but the technology has yet to appear on the broad consumer market. However, it has already announced that by the end of 2021, the company will release Micro LED 4K TVs measuring 110, 99 and 88 inches. Meanwhile, LG announced webOS 6.0 for its 2021 OLED, QNED Mini LED, NanoCell and UHD smart TVs. The latest version of the company’s TV platform will be paired with the new Magic Remote software, which supports speech recognition technology.
3 Hygienic refrigerators
Large and reliable refrigerator is back in the center of the kitchen: the emergence of new giants has been provoked by the growing demand of consumers – the pandemic has almost eliminated lunch and dinner outside the home. So, Samsung has announced a line of Bespoke refrigerators that support customers’ unconventional aesthetic desires. This line gives the ability to mix and match colors, materials and finishes for each of the refrigerator’s four doors. Meanwhile, LG has introduced the InstaView Door-in-Door refrigerator collection, which disinfects with ultraviolet light and features an ultra-hygienic water dispenser.
Moen Smart Faucet’s Smart U offers completely touchless functionality and intuitive voice control technology to help owners work in the kitchen with a smart speaker or existing smart home ecosystem. Faucets, on the other hand, can now be controlled in three ways: non-contact touch controls, manual controls and the Moen app. The app allows users to start, stop and pause water and understand daily water consumption.
4 Touchless Helpers
Robotic cleaners are only part of the new devices aimed at making the home comfortable. As millions of people live, work and study within the same walls, smart home trends and products are attracting renewed interest, and among them a variety of disinfecting devices and robots to help cook dinner. The main difference between the new inventions is that they usually don’t need to be touched. For example, LG’s cordless vacuum cleaner automatically cleans itself when docked. Bathrooms are also getting smarter: Kohler demonstrated a voice-controlled smart bathtub that, according to CNet, “combines light, mist, and aromatherapy to create a spa-like experience at home” and “costs more than a used car.” Kohler’s new line includes a shower head with a built-in smart speaker, a smart toilet and a touchless faucet.
5 Smart Cities.
The EES E2IP surface has been developed in partnership with the Communications Research Centre of Canada to enable the development of smart cities, where infrastructure, devices and people are expected to be seamlessly connected. 5G technology will be the backbone of this development. EES are thin, translucent plastic sheets that reflect, redirect or block certain radio frequency waves. The company says the inexpensive sheets are flexible enough to be deployed on exterior or interior structural surfaces, such as buildings, signage or interior walls. This is needed to extend, direct or limit certain telecommunications services.
6 Autonomous Transportation
One of the most important issues of the near future is transportation and mobility, so we can expect more programs aimed at developing autonomous driving. So far, Waymo has
has revealed the fifth generation of Waymo Driver autonomous driving technology, designed to improve safety and provide a new quality of mobility. The Waymo Driver program can be applied to multiple transportation platforms and energy use options, such as carpooling, trucking, local delivery and personal vehicles. The newest system is more powerful and designed to scale to provide safer and easier transportation.
7 Accessories for Self-Study
With the fact that learning in many areas has become almost entirely remote and independent, the trend for devices that help self-education will only grow. For example, Roli’s LUMI 1 keyboard is like a laptop – it complements the LUMI music learning platform: combining hardware, software and content, it allows students to choose the songs they like and play them instantly, watching the indicators on the backlit keyboard. In addition to hundreds of songs, LUMI also offers lessons and exercises to develop musical skills.