Artificial intelligence is taking center stage as the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the globe’s largest tech exhibition, launches this week in Las Vegas.
Various devices exhibited showcased the integration of AI technology in fields such as personal technology and healthcare, as well as potential solutions for addressing climate challenges.
Gary Shapiro, Chief Executive of the Consumer Technology Association, believes that AI will become increasingly customized and will facilitate “making lives better.”
“‘The conversation is now focused on what can be achieved with AI,” Shapiro said.
He added that “we’ll see the companies themselves, the PC companies, also focusing on personalisation, new products that will really give a boost to the PC marketplace and the laptop marketplace.”
“Additionally, artificial intelligence is being utilized in transportation, extending beyond self-driving cars to various types of vehicles”.
Products designed to simplify and enhance daily lives
The US robotics company Roborock is introducing what it describes as the “world’s first” vacuum cleaner equipped with a robotic arm.
The device, equipped with artificial intelligence, can detect and automatically organize small items weighing under 300 grams, including socks, shoes, and towels.
“AI is crucial because, without artificial intelligence and machine learning, the robotic arm is just a mechanical device,” said Ruben Rodriguez, senior manager of global PR and communications at Roborock.
It’s thanks to machine learning, now able to truly identify objects on the ground, move around them, pick them up, and know its correct path for placement.
At the same time, a robotic dog named Jennie can provide comfort to people with dementia. It is able to understand and respond to voice commands, as well as detect physical touch through sensors.
“She can be nestled comfortably on someone’s lap for extended periods… she doesn’t walk, that would pose a tripping hazard” said Marissa Steingold, a marketing and sales account executive at Tombot.
“Her approach focuses on treating the behavioral and psychological manifestations of dementia, mainly by offering constant emotional support and companionship to the patients,”
French technology called molluSCAN utilizes molluscs and the newest digital technology to monitor water quality.
“Now, if any kind of pollution is detected, we can identify it in real time and quickly send notifications to our clients, essentially serving as an early warning system to bring this information to their attention,” said Ludovic Quinault, CEO of molluSCAN.
To what extent is AI integral to these products?
Some people question the need for AI in certain types of devices.
“There is a lot that demands AI’s presence and attempts to justify its existence, but it is not essential,” said Carolina Milanesi, a technological expert, who noted that this year was more of the same.
She pointed out that certain technologies were attempting to address issues that were not inherent to begin with.
The annual Consumer Electronics Show begins on January 7th, after two days of media viewing event previews.
The event will host over 4,500 exhibitors across 232,000 square metres of exhibition space.
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