#Digital Design
2019.03.04
Edition No. 13 CES 2019, Future Lifestyle Solution
One of the largest consumer tech shows in the world, CES 2019 or Consumer Electronics Show, was held for four days from January 8 to 11 in Las Vegas, the U.S. It was an exciting event with around 4,500 companies from 155 countries opening booths with approximately 200,000 people visiting the show. Most displays focused on platforms or content that can apply 5G, which is expected to go live soon (autonomous driving and hologram among others). Smarter smart home systems with a wider range of services and more sophisticated robots were also notable. Today, I'd like to share with you a few of the hottest technologies that seem to be like future technologies but are currently available.
1. Frighteningly Sophisticated Robots
There are robots of various designs and technologies displayed at the CES every year, but the one distinguishable thing that changes over time is that these robots become more and more sophisticated.
Sony's robotic pet dog AIBO's cute movements are realistic enough to give you a feeling that it is an actual dog. And following the continuous pursuit of robotics development by big companies like Samsung and LG, Korean company Naver Labs, which entered the trade show for the first time this year, showcased a robotic arm called AMBIDEX. This robotic arm gained a lot of attention as AMBIDEX is equipped with joints similar to actual human joints allowing for a smooth interaction with its user.
Sony's robotic pet dog AIBO's cute movements are realistic enough to give you a feeling that it is an actual dog. And following the continuous pursuit of robotics development by big companies like Samsung and LG, Korean company Naver Labs, which entered the trade show for the first time this year, showcased a robotic arm called AMBIDEX. This robotic arm gained a lot of attention as AMBIDEX is equipped with joints similar to actual human joints allowing for a smooth interaction with its user.
the lovable AIBO's charm
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Sony's AIBO (Source : AIBO website)
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Naver Labs' AMBIDEX (Source : self-taken photo)
2. LG Electronics Innovation, the Display of Almost Magical Products
Rollable TV and OLED TV R
Visitors entering LG Electronics booth at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), the main convention hall, were overwhelmed at the view of the large display wave created by connecting OLED panels and stood in awe at the beautiful innovation of five rollable TVs, the hottest issue at the CES 2019, repeatedly rolling up and down. The fact that we can now 'roll' the display of the TV, which used to stand high in one corner of the living room or a room, is an amazing innovation in the TV market which up until now only focused on picture quality.
The TV R comes with three different viewing modes – the general Full View mode, the Line mode which allows certain functions with only 1/4 of the LCD rolled up, and the Zero mode for using only the sound bar function with the entire monitor rolled down. The price is yet to be set (it will probably be offered at a high price at least in the beginning of the launch). Most of all, how these rollable TVs were displayed at the convention hall was amazing. I recommend you take a look at the video.
The TV R comes with three different viewing modes – the general Full View mode, the Line mode which allows certain functions with only 1/4 of the LCD rolled up, and the Zero mode for using only the sound bar function with the entire monitor rolled down. The price is yet to be set (it will probably be offered at a high price at least in the beginning of the launch). Most of all, how these rollable TVs were displayed at the convention hall was amazing. I recommend you take a look at the video.
LG전자의 OLED TV R (Source : YouTube LG Global)
LG HomeBrew – from capsule coffee to now, capsule-based craft beer
An IT company making a home brewing system is an unexpected and unusual decision. This new attempt can be interpreted as LG Electronics' commitment to offer a completely new home electronics device unknown to the world for the first time. It is similar to its past achievement of creating for the first time, the 'Styler', a clothes storage and management system that has never been done before. Many were sorry they could not sample the craft beer at the convention as LG Electronics is not a registered beverage company. But this new HomeBrew system is welcomed by beer manias due to the fact that it allows you to enjoy beer with an easy, simple system like brewing coffee at home.
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Craft beer brewing machine, HomeBrew capsule set With LG HomeBrew, you can brew 5 different popular types of beers according to preference – the British ale beer 'Pale Ale', India Pale Ale, Stout, Wheat beer, and the popular lager 'Pilsner'. (Source : LG Electronics)
LG's Innovation for a Better Life
The smarter LG ThinQ learns more about and understands the customer and proposes a new lifestyle from various contact points in life. LG CLOi robots including smart home appliances have become more diverse, while LG's portfolio has been expanded from home solutions to include commercial solutions, leading the robotic solutions industry.
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Wearable CLOi SuitBot that protects lumbar muscle
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Diverse CLOi products (Source : LG Electronics)
3. The Appealing Google Capturing the Hearts of Consumers, Google Assistant
"Hey, Google"
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Source : self-taken photo
The CES venue as well as the Las Vegas Strip was full of the sign, 'Hey Google' everywhere. The phrase is a command to turn on Google's ambitious service AI assistant 'Google Assistant', but it is also used as a marketing tool to promote the service. Unlike other companies, Google tends to hold its booth outdoors to not be confined to the inner structures of the venue. That choice was a very wise one. Google had chosen to implement a sentimental strategy unlike other booths that were focused on showcasing new products or technologies. Instead, Google focused only on the one product, 'Google Assistant' and showcased its display using the logo, created an interactive stage based on storytelling, designed an immersive visual display that caught the eyes of many, and even applied it to the staff's outfit! Google's booth was amazing and engaging, making it look so easy to let customers have positive experiences and win their hearts. It was possible because it was Google.
Google Home, In a Car, Ride... and more.
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Source : https://www.cnet.com
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Source : self-taken photo
Google designed its exhibit into two concepts - 'experience' and 'play'. The first thing you saw when you entered LVCC was Google's white booth. And there was a vending machine across the street where you could win a ball with a gift inside by inserting a large coin. Inside the Google booth, there was a Google Home corner where visitors could experience Google Assistant of different scenarios inside the home and the Google In a Car corner allowing visitors to experience the Assistant inside the car. But the best corner by far was the Google Ride, where visitors experienced the Assistant following a story while riding a train, taking participants back to childhood. The experience offered photos of people enjoying the story, the ride, and a macaroon related to the ending of the story, rather than a simple explanation of the technology. This made participants feel as if they were already heavy users of Google Assistant.
* Check out the fun ride video I experienced.
4. Various Attempts in Beauty Tech
Smart mirrors, installations (kiosk), and app services
There were also a lot of collaboration projects with technology companies or internal technology development projects in the beauty tech area. Electronics companies offered various solutions using new technologies (sensors, cameras, AI technology, and more), such as bath products, razors, toothbrushes, and other products closely linked to consumer lifestyle.
Following the beauty tech trends, there were a lot of display of various smart mirror products. The displays focused on how to develop products with more functions and use. For example, Care OS adopted a sensor recognition method rather than a screen touch method to avoid the problem of fingerprints being left on the mirror. There was also a company that conducted research into clear displays to improve the issue of visibility because of the mirror's reflective property. In addition, there were many products using beauty devices and apps. It was notable to see that many Chinese and Taiwanese companies showcased products of better-than-expected quality.
Following the beauty tech trends, there were a lot of display of various smart mirror products. The displays focused on how to develop products with more functions and use. For example, Care OS adopted a sensor recognition method rather than a screen touch method to avoid the problem of fingerprints being left on the mirror. There was also a company that conducted research into clear displays to improve the issue of visibility because of the mirror's reflective property. In addition, there were many products using beauty devices and apps. It was notable to see that many Chinese and Taiwanese companies showcased products of better-than-expected quality.
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Hi Mirror
(Source : https://www.himirror.com/us_en/) -
App linked with Clarisonic product
(Source : self-taken photo)
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Care OS (Source : https://www.care-os.com/)
One example with the most captivating visual presentation was the collaboration project Future X by P&G Lab and SK-II. Future X smart stores are already being installed in Japan as pop-up stores. It delivered booths where visitors can experience a total of 4 steps from assessment, product offering to purchasing (concept). There were also fun ideas with one example being using the lid of the PITERA essence and linking it to an app to check the frequency of product use. When completing a mission, a light comes on the product and a voice congratulates the user for completing the mission. It was an interesting idea by the fact that a technology has been implemented in the product itself, moving beyond from just using smart devices.
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Projection mapping table for digital shopping (Source : P&G official website)
* Project introduction video
Epilogue
Technology has become an inevitable element in our future lifestyle. Future technologies displayed at the CES 2019 were applied in a wide range of industries with no boundaries among different areas of industries. These new attempts are interpreted as a journey towards finding practical solutions customized to each individual consumer. At this point in time, it is important to keep making new attempts following the changes of the era rather than determining if a product of a technology is successful or not. Wouldn't it be because technology is changing the lives of users, and not the other way around?
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