LAS VEGAS: A robot that follows you around carrying your stuff. Wireless ear-buds that also monitor your heart rate a Bluetooth-enabled pacifier that takes your baby’s temperature and delivers it to your smartphone.
New technology often serves up solutions that are a bit over-the-top relative to the problem. A peek under the tent of the gadget circus that is the International Consumer Electronics Show reveals that this year will be no different.
It’s the reason why the enormous event, which opens Tuesday in Las Vegas, remains the most popular annual showcase for gadget and technology companies, retailers and tech enthusiasts.
Though it’s not open to the public, the show sets the agenda for what will show up on store shelves in coming months and years.
“It is still the largest get-together of industry manufacturers, retailers, partners, journalists and analysts,” said Mike Fasulo, president of San Diego-based Sony Electronics, which orchestrates gadget sales for the Japanese conglomerate in North America. “It is the one time of year we can really be in one place and look at what great technology and trends are happening.”
Sony plans to begin selling its tennis racket sensor this spring in a partnership with Wilson.— U-T File Photo
For the 2015 show, a key trend is more gadgets being connected wirelessly – also known as the Internet of Things. Health care devices, fitness gear, sporting goods equipment, home appliances and especially cars are at the vanguard of this phenomenon.
“What we are seeing are exhibitors that we haven’t seen before – like Lowe’s or Honeywell,” said Gary Shapiro, head of the Consumer Electronics Association trade group, which puts on the show. “They are coming because they have products that are connected to each other. Wireless technology has made a huge difference because instead of running cables, you can connect this stuff easily now.”
Lowe’s, the home improvement retailer, will be showing off an autonomous retail service robot that aims to help shoppers. It also will display a Lowe’s Holoroom, a simulator that applies 3D and augmented reality technologies to let homeowners get a better idea of how planned home improvements will look.
Last year, Sony introduced wireless sensors on tennis rackets that measure the speed of serves, spin of the ball and where the ball contacts the racket to improve a player’s performance. It delivers the information wirelessly to a smartphone app. The product is expected to come to market this spring in partnership with sports equipment maker Wilson.
This connectivity of everything – whether it’s via Near Field Communications, low energy Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or high speed WiGig technology – is expected to usher in a host of new consumer services.
Experts say one of the most promising is “tap-to-pay,” where consumers will simply touch their smartphone to a point of sale machine at a retail to pay for products – no scanning a bar code required.
The International Consumer Electronics Show attracted more than 160,000 people last year and more than 3,500 exhibits. That amount is expected to increase this year, as the event expands to more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space at the Las Vegas Convention Center and nearby hotels. Themed marketplaces in topics such as cybersecurity, kids’ technology, sensors, smartwatches, drones and 3D printing have been added or expanded.
