Every January, the rapidly-evolving tech industry displays the latest transformative technologies at the Consumer Electronics Showcase in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nearly 3 million square feet is dedicated to the event, drawing hundreds of thousands of industry professionals from all over the globe including ROBRADY team members. If CES 2020 was to prove one thing, it is that innovation in tech knows no limits – no matter the product. With that in mind, here is a look at some of the most fascinating exhibits on display at the world’s biggest event in tech.
Guardian Exo-Suit Safeguards Delta Air Line Workers
ROBRADY client and studio friends at Sarcos Robotics had an amazing launch into 2020 at CES. The partnership between DELTA and Sarcos was revealed in an exhilarating Keynote held by Delta CEO, Ed Bastian, who announced plans to integrate robotics into Delta’s workforce with the Sarcos Guardian XO full-body powered Exosuit - the world's first battery-powered industrial robot to combine human intelligence, instinct, and judgement with power, endurance and precision of machines.
Designed to boost human performance, the Exosuit also helps prevent injury by allowing the operator to continuously perform hours of physical labor without fatigue or strain. The suit gives users the capability of lifting up to 200 pounds without breaking a sweat (or anything else). In just 30 seconds the user can put on or take off the suit quickly and efficiently. This incredible technology from Sarcos has garnered a lot of attention, drawing huge crowds of people around the Sarcos Robotics exhibit at CES to witness the exo-suit in action.
Technology Takes the Wheel
The automotive presence was unlike anything that CES 2020 has seen in previous years. Mercedes-Benz’s Avatar-inspired Vision AVTR concept fascinated audiences with its glowing wheels and “bionic-flaps.” Automakers redefined travel space molding breakthrough technologies with progressive designs. Honda exemplified the arrival of the automotive tech revolution with their Augmented Driving Concept that aims to redefine the driving experience. Featuring more than eight modes between autonomous and semi-autonomous control, the concept car is free of acceleration and brake pedals that provides drivers with an enchanting autonomous car experience.
Lamborghini Huracán Evo – first car to feature Amazon Alexa in-car control through the Cloud
Safety and continuous connectivity were also among top priorities for automakers. Italian automaker Lamborghini revealed that the Huracán Evo will be the first car to integrate Amazon Alexa in-car control systems through the Cloud. Drivers will be able to adjust climate control settings, seat heating, and even drive modes all by voice command. Other Alexa integrated devices can be controlled from the vehicle as well, including but not limited to gates, outdoor lights and home thermostats. "Our vision is for Alexa to become a natural, intuitive part of the driving experience, and Lamborghini has embraced that by integrating Alexa directly into its onboard infotainment systems,” Ned Curic, vice president of Alexa Auto at Amazon, said in a statement.
Fiat displayed its Centoventi, the name means “120” signifying Fiat’s 120 years in the auto business.
Augmented Driving Concept by Honda
Toyota Concept
Smart Robo-Buddy Joins the Family
It appears that the time of having your own personal robot assistant just might arrive sooner than we think. Samsung’s Ballie, a rolling mini robot that gives off strong BB8 energy, can be used to monitor the activity within your home. Samsung described Ballie as a “life companion ... a small, rolling robot that understands you, supports you, and reacts to your needs to be actively helpful around the house.” Audiences at CES were amused and drew large applause for Ballie, despite privacy concerns.
Green In-Home Biome
Studio friends and client GE aims to turn the modern kitchen into a miniature greenhouse, transitioning the Farm to Table movement into Counter to Table with their innovative “homegrown” kitchen that minimizes the distance between what food people eat and what they grow by bringing it directly into the hub of every home – the kitchen. To make this concept a reality, GE introduced three different gardening systems: aeroponics, hydroponics, and soil, enabling in-kitchen plant, produce, and tree production.
Autonomous Adventure
Uber and Hyundai revealed their S-A1 flying taxi model at CES, proving quite literally that the sky is the limit when it comes to urban mobility. The S-A1 will operate with flight altitudes between 1,000 and 2,000 feet (300 and 600 m), and ride journeys will cap-out at 60 miles (100km). According to Hyundai representatives, the aircraft would need approximately five to seven minutes to recharge during peak hours. “We believe Hyundai has the potential to build Uber Air vehicles at rates unseen in the current aerospace industry, producing high quality, reliable aircraft at high volumes to drive down passenger costs per trip,” Uber Elevate chief Eric Allison says in a Hyundai press release. The SA-1 is one of three mobility solutions by Hyundai. The aircraft represents Urban Air Mobility (UAM), a key future business innovation that can combat traffic congestion and other urban travel complications.
Hyundai’s second mobility solution: the Purpose Built Vehicle (PBV) - a private lounge-like autonomous vehicle, allows passengers to enjoy a tailored experience specific to their needs, giving a whole new meaning to public transportation. The video below demonstrates the amazing personalization capabilities of PBV. Hub is the third solution and offers a centralized meeting point for mobility transfer and community activities. By implementing these mobility solutions, Hyundai aims to offer an opportunity for people to create more value in their lives by releasing them of their current limitations experienced in the urban travel environment of today.
The Hyundai Mobis autonomous vehicle concept is all about communication between itself, passengers and pedestrians. The smart vehicle communicates through sound, digital soundboards, LED light displays, and headlamp projection. Watch the video to see the vehicle in action.
