Once again, this year’s CES show beat all past events with 2.6 million sq. ft. of exhibits, 3,880 exhibitors with over 600 startups, and 6,500-plus media folks — more than the 2016 Olympics. More than 175,000 people attended the show, with nearly one-third being global travelers from more than 150 countries. Now that’s a trade show! No one person could see everything, but key themes dominated the event — connectivity, artificial intelligence,voice control and innovation.
The connected world could be seen everywhere from smartphones, smart homes, and self-driving cars to connected cities and future 5G mobile networks. The Internet of Things (IoT) and smart devices dominated in all categories. For the home, there were connected beds, mirrors, showers, appliances, and even a smart refrigerator that knew what you had, could suggest recipes, and add needed items to the shopping list. Connected devices got personal with toothbrushes, hairbrushes, weight scales, and wearables gathering data and striving to improve our lives. We are just seeing the tip of the iceberg for smart cars with their connectivity and self-driving abilities.