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For the first time since *checks notes* this time last year, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is back. The expo begins today and will be hybrid this year after 2021’s fully virtual event.
Last year’s show was capped at 1,500 exhibitors and had over 86,000 people participate, but this year’s event has already booked more than 2,000 vendors.
- But since the omicron variant broke out, 150 major exhibitors including Microsoft, Google, AMD and Intel have dropped out of in-person presentations, and the Consumer Technology Association (which organizes CES) has shortened the event by a day—it now ends Friday, Jan. 7.
Even still…CES is charging (almost) full steam ahead. As always, the show will spotlight a number of emerging technologies across fields like connected cars and digital health, and this year’s event will also spotlight trendy fields, like:
- NFTs…where companies like Art Blocks spoke about crypto’s role in the rise of NFTs. Also, expect digital assets to seep into product debuts too: Samsung already announced a TV that can support NFTs.
- Food tech…In which companies will showcase tech like an AI “pastry scanner” that a doctor has used to identify cancerous cells (BakeryScan), or a kitchen robot that makes gourmet meals on demand with the control of a phone (Suvie).
- Space tech…In which companies like Sierra Space will showcase its Dream Chaser space plane, which will eventually funnel personnel up to Blue Origin’s Orbital Reef space station.
The convention this year will require masks indoors and proof of vaccination, and attendees will have access to both self-test kits and on-site testing. In previous years, recordings of each event have been available for streaming, and digital access for connections will remain open through the end of January.
Looking ahead: While the next three days will bring with it a slew of announcements, CES itself has already identified a few companies to offer “innovation awards.” Two examples: Whill showed off its Model F foldable electric walker and wheelchair for seniors and people who have difficulty walking, while John Deere unveiled a robot that uses computer vision and machine learning to differentiate plants and weeds, and precisely spray herbicide only on the weeds.