The annual CES is just around the corner and what are some of the hot things to watch out for this year? The Internet of Things (again, ...), autonomous vehicles and augmented reality / virtual reality (AR / VR) and, of course, health and fitness devices ... Not surprisingly, in fact, it looks like a list of last year's listings ...
However, unlike last year, this year's CES focused more on artificial intelligence (AI), connectivity and the software platform's ubiquity.
In addition, the broader theme of CES 2018 aspirations is how to change consumers' perceptions of reality once they are interconnected.
Trend 1: The boundary between the real world and the augmented reality is blurred
Gregory Roberts, executive director of North American high-tech industries at Accenture, presented a "blended physical and digital experience." He said that the integration of connected products allows consumers to live in different worlds - the real world and the AR world - - The line between the gradually blurred.
Information collected by the Internet of Things (IoT) appliance and information processed by the AI engine can more easily be shared between different appliances on the same platform.
From 'smart' branded consumer devices such as smartphones, digital voice assistants, VR / AR headsets, 4K / 8K UHDTVs to fitness wristbands, Gone are the days.
Instead, CES 2018 will challenge our ability to identify, differentiate, and judge: how to effectively anticipate the expected or unexpected consequences of networked AI devices built on software platforms such as Amazon Alexa.
Roberts believes that the widespread adoption and deeper integration of AI technology fits in with the rise of the Internet. "For many, first of all, the Internet is where to find something interesting.Next, the Internet The road has become more pervasive and thus deeply involved in everyone's life. "He emphasized that AI is about to reach this turnaround point.
For example, when did you wake up today, how long did you sleep last night, where are you going today, how often does your heartbeat go and how many steps you walk today (who cares?) All kinds of information can be uploaded, shared, and analyzed. The networked devices that share information may also send viable tips to users' smartphones, such as' Suggest you exercise today ', etc. Even more frightening is that when you enjoy a person's privacy in the living room at home, Network television suddenly emerge a wife adult message!
I think it is good to be able to manage your health, but things like that are really troubling. Who wants you to track so much about me! Do I live with my mom?
Well, maybe this is just my personal situation.After all, many of my friends like the App because they live in a virtual world and he cheers them with all sorts of messages and asks them Strengthen physical exercise.
On the other hand, how much personal information is sent to the cloud via a networked IoT device? How or how they are shared with other databases? These are all issues that should be of concern, and should also make everyone feel nervous!
Trend 2: Blockchain Rescue IoT
Let's face these issues squarely: Security and privacy are the fatal flaws in the Internet of Things, and there has always been a gulf between the expectations of consumers and the ways in which the Internet of Things industry envisions making money.
So, CES 2018 will provide any miraculous cure for this profound divide? Roberts believes 'blockchain' is 'the hottest new technology of the moment'. "He is optimistic about the blockchain for the Internet of Things, smartphones And transportation systems to bring 'unbreakable' solutions and he expects to see significant benefits from the blockchain at this year's CES.
The core of the blockchain is based on a distributed database Roberts explains that in principle, blockchain can be 'transparent, secure, auditable and interrupt-tolerant' through the use of distributed digital ledger technology Way to achieve data sharing '.
Blockchain should be more effective especially in the area of IoT, where it removes intensive databases and installs decentralized database networks Roberts states: 'The blockchain allows us to share only with specific people Specific part of the information.
Of course, he acknowledged that blockchain is not a panacea. First, distributed repositories must set 'standards.' Second, players in the ecosystem must work together to create real value in the blockchain, but Roberts hopes that the database Will eventually lead many businesses into the blockchain.Improving security is crucial in a highly mobile society where sensitive information must be shared, and blockchains will be helpful in this regard.
Trend 3: Deep / non-contact sensing technology takes off
For years, CES headlines often come from 'action' - such as Nintendo's Wii, 'touch' - Apple's IPhone, Apple's smartphone, and emerging consumer interfaces such as Voice-Alexa, Amazon.
The Apple iPhone X smartphone, which went on sale in November, has created a catchphrase for new user interfaces - touchless sensing. Contactless sensing is quickly becoming standard in consumer devices .
In particular, traditional 2D imaging has added 'depth' to 3D, and in a recent interview with Ams CEO Alexander Everke he described 3D perception as one of the industry trends that will drive the market in the next decade Of course, Ams is a key part supplier of the TrueDepth module for the Apple iPhone X. "
Everke believes that the trend toward deep sensing technology will become even more pervasive, emphasizing that imaging technologies are rapidly transitioning from 2D to 3D in smartphones, industrial 4.0, automotive and emerging medical applications.
The key to enabling this depth sensing is the Time of Flight (ToF) sensor. ToF sensors can be implemented in a variety of different technologies, such as infrared, optical or ultrasonic. Michelle Kiang, CEO of Chirp Microsystems, When it comes to a single-chip Ultrasonic ToF sensor developed by the company, it was said that the ToF sensor allows the user to interact with his smart device without having to actually touch the screen or even with a screen Device interaction. '
Combining traditional motion sensors, such as gyroscopes and accelerometers, into mobile devices can be used to track and measure device movements, while Kiang said that the 3D sensing technology allows devices to be aware of the environment in which they know What's going on around the room fixtures. "The digital voice assistant (DVA) in your room is a great portrayal, and the DVA with built-in 3D sensing technology senses that you are indoors and therefore starts up and listens to what you say Words or instructions.
Trend # 4: AI platform battle
With the convergence of the physical world and the digital world, the key to trying to integrate the two is the software / AI platform, and the effectiveness of the convergence experience will depend on the platform.
Roberts said: 'We've seen software companies like Apple and Microsoft get into the hardware business and want to build devices that work well with their software platforms, and hardware companies like smartphones, wearables Device manufacturers such as fitness monitors, DVAs and TVs are also aggressively embedding more software and AI capabilities into their devices to create their own integrated world.
As a result, there appeared AI platform companies like Amazon and Google Roberts said: "At CES 2018, it is expected to see more software platform companies running servers, digital assistants, tablets, smartphones, drones and auto Driving a series of devices such as the car into the diverse hardware market.
Will these vendors succeed in creating a common platform for anyone to develop a converged experience? Everyone agrees that this will be the ultimate holy goal, however, and the problem is the control over the platform. The electronics industry is still in the hardware / AI conflict The initial stage, and this war will start in Las Vegas in January this year, CES 2018.
Compile: Susan Hong