There were plastics, elastomers and composites everywhere throughout the massive CES 2024 consumer technology show held January 9-12 in Las Vegas. A few of the 4,300 exhibitors there, spread out in a dozen venues across the city, had many details to share about the materials used to make their products. Still, the annual event, which drew more than 135,000 attendees offers a useful glimpse into the societal and tech trends driving these all-important sectors.
Artificial intelligence (AI), clean energy, connectivity, inclusivity and sustainability were dominant themes throughout the event. First held in 1967, the show has grown from a consumer electronics focus to also become a major automotive and mobility show, as well as a showcase for digital health, food tech, agricultural technology and more.
Organized annually by the Arlington, VA-based Consumer Technology Association (https://www.cta.tech), the event kicked off with its usual Tech Trends preview.
U.S. consumer tech spending to rise 2.8%
CTA projects retail revenues for the U.S. consumer technology industry will grow by 2.8% this year to $512 billion, which marks a $14 billion increase from 2023. This signals an uptick in consumer spending on technology products and services, according to CTA’s One-Year Industry Forecast.
“Despite inflation in most sectors of the U.S. economy, it’s noteworthy that consumer tech products like TVs, smartphones, and gaming hardware are being bought at lower prices by consumers,” said Richard Kowalski, the group’s senior director of business intelligence. “Technology by nature is deflationary as innovation leads industries to find newer, more efficient ways to compete. Looking ahead to 2024, I expect developments in artificial intelligence will accelerate growth for consumer and enterprise technology companies as they become more efficient and find more ways to meet consumer needs.”
Connectivity is accelerating worldwide, according to CTA, with 5.4 billion people connected to the internet today, impacting the types of products these people want and need. Analysts expect another 1 billion to come online by 2027.
Gen Z –– 11- to 26-year-olds –– now number 69 million in the U.S. alone (second only to Millennials), and 86% of them say that tech is essential to their lives.
A tsunami of AI applications
AI was everywhere at CES, and its organizers say “Believe the AI hype.” More than 230 million smartphones and PCs shipping to the U.S. this year will tap the powers of generative AI through mobile apps, browsers and on-device software. AI also is being deployed in mobility safety systems, fitness tracking apps on smartwatches and picture quality improvements on televisions.
And while definite concerns exist about the growing use of AI (think privacy, disinformation, safety and job loss), consumer sentiment is largely positive about its potential impact. The terms “innovative”, “futuristic” and “intelligent” top the list of words that consumers use to describe the technology, according to CTA.
In a major press conference attended by hundreds of media members, South Korean giant LG Electronics said it refers to AI as “affectionate intelligence” and proceeded to showcase numerous examples of how it is applying it to everything from smart home hubs to televisions, mobility systems and electric vehicle chargers. (LG also announced plans to build its first U.S. plant to make EV chargers, in Texas.)
Promoting green energy & hydrogen
Panasonic, Hyundai and Bosch all held media events at which senior executives extolled the virtues of “green energy,” and in particular hydrogen. More widespread adoption of hydrogen power will mean a huge boost for polymer composite storage tanks and the like. Solar power also drew a lot of attention, with firms such as South Korea’s Scotra Co. Ltd. (www.scotra.co.kr/en) touting its floating photovoltaic (PV) system that uses injection molded floats made from virgin HDPE.
Electric vehicles, while perhaps not as omnipresent as at previous shows, still show strong growth, and dozens of new vehicles and EV charging solutions could be found throughout the expo’s 2.4 million square feet of exhibit space.
In the Dutch pavilion, the Netherlands-based Squad Mobility BV (www.squadmobility.com) highlighted its Squad Solar City Car –– a compact, $6,800 vehicle whose solar roof charges itself. Just two meters long, it features ABS external panels, two swappable batteries and can go 45 km per hour, according to Chief Design Officer Chris Klok. It can be used as a golf cart alternative in residential communities, or as a road-worthy vehicle in cities and suburbs.
Honda announces EV concepts
Honda used the occasion to announce its “Honda 0 Series,” a new global EV lineup launching in 2026. At CES, it unveiled two concept models –– Saloon and Space-Hub. In 2026, Honda said it will introduce a model of the Honda 0 Series (https://0.honda/en) based on the Saloon concept in North America, followed by model introductions in more globally.
Honda also introduced its Motocompacto (https://motocompacto.honda.com), a compact, folding, and portable electric mobility device that takes up almost 20% less space than a carry-on suitcase. It weighs 41 pounds, has a max speed of 15 miles per hour and can travel 12 miles on a full charge.
When it comes to EV innovations, electric mobility would be a more accurate term. Brunswick Corp. (www.brunswick.com), the world’s largest recreational boat maker, touted a new, electric engine. And French startup Kahe (https://en.kahe-nautic.com) showcased its electric outboard motor –– the Kahe Pod 600 –– that provides quiet, clean propulsion for small boats such as dinghies and can even serve as an underwater scooter for snorkelers. Its co-founder, Nicolas Quendez, said the product’s enclosure is molded from fiberglass-reinforced polypropylene and also features some nylon parts.
Supernal LLC (www.supernal.aero), Hyundai Motor Group’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company, unveiled S-A2, its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle product concept. Hyundai said the pilot-plus-four-passenger vehicle “marks the latest milestone in Supernal’s roadmap to commercialize safe, efficient and affordable everyday passenger air travel.”
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Connected health is growing fast
Digital health was prominent at CES, and took many forms, from watches, monitoring devices and wearables to drones. In the latter case, Switzerland-based Jedsy AG (www.jedsy.com) promoted a drone designed to simplify the logistics of drug and medical sample deliveries. With a 39-inch wingspan, the lightweight drone is made primarily of expanded polyethylene (EPE) foam, combined with carbon fiber vertical props and battery case. It can fly directly to a window (with a pre-installed landing station) with a 5-pound payload and a 60-mile range, according to Christian Bredemeier, Jedsy’s chief sales officer.
Accessibility is also high on the agenda for many brands. Global eyewear leader EssilorLuxottica (www.essilorluxottica.com/en), for example, introduced fashionable eyeglasses that incorporate hearing aids into the stems. The Italian maker of such brands as Ray-Ban and Oakley said it teamed with its recent acquisition, the Israeli firm Nuance Hearing, to design this product that will hit the market later this year. Franco Borsoi, EL’s global head of R&D for wearables and frames, said in an interview after their press conference that they mold most of their frames from a special grade of polyamide, in their own factory in Guangdong, China.
Breathe easier with air-purifying plants
Another health- and eco-minded innovation involved Chicago-area injection molder M4 Factory (https://m4factory.com) working with French startup Neoplants (www.neoplants.com) to develop a bioengineered house plant that can act as a natural air-purification system. The French team modified the microbiomes and physiology of the house plant species called Golden Pothos to enable it to capture and recycle harmful VOCs from indoor air more effectively, according to Hector De Wazières, Neoplants’ chief of staff and product lead.
M4, meanwhile, designed and molds the four-piece shell pot using a bioresin consisting of polylactic acid (PLA) and flax. The pot maximizes airflow between the room and the plant, is aesthetically pleasing, and highly moldable while minimizing any carbon emissions, said M4 CEO Patricia Miller.
This barely scratches the surface of some of the cool stuff unveiled at CES 2024. To find out more about the show, go to www.ces.tech.
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