Robots, Monitors, Health & More

Elliott's CES Report #1

Covering the Consumer Electronics Show virtually has been intriguing this year. A much smaller show in Las Vegas, with many large tech companies dropping out and radically fewer attendees than the 160,000 people in La Vegas when I last attended. Here is my first report, sharing the announcements, pics and reports from colleagues on the “floor”.

Robots were featured for both workplace, retail and at home use. Now remember, many of these products will never actually be launched or sold this year, but the trends reflect where tech companies think either demand or innovation is coming. The picture above reflects designs that either emulated a human’s image or are meant to have an empathetic interaction style users will find welcoming.

Health has a huge presence on the CES floor. From technology that allows tele-medicine or health coaching to be accessed by the user from their home - to full presence systems that provided remote sensing of a disabled relative living alone at home. Of course, most used the phrases AI, Machine Learning or Smart Tech, in their marketing pitches.

Avokadio is a breath analyzer that measures ketones as in indicator of dietary balances for fat consumption.  The picture above shows a user using this at home, with diet change suggestions coming to her phone.

Elliott’s Wish: A digital genomic home tester for COVID infection and transmisson. Ah, but we have seen almost no tech innovation in our global pandemic health crisis. Sigh!

Metaverse was mentioned in every keynote and dialogue at CES. There is clearly a huge interest in the role of a “Meta” approach - reflected in the dozens of emails I received from colleagues asking for CES perspectives. While Facebook/Meta dropped out of CES with COVID concerns, there was much financial and tech interest in what is coming. But, you didn’t actually see much that is new, YET. Above is a Samsung “meta” demonstration. It reminded me about Second Life from 2006.

Ironically, Avi Greengart, a tech analyst shared: "I recommend avoiding press conference drinking games around the word 'metaverse,' because you'll die of liver disease before the end of the week."

There were intriguing new AR glasses and projected simulations that would allow a “meta” experience without wearing wrap around googles. We should see some new innovations focusing on “meta” for workplace learning, assessment or coaching - but those are probably 18 months into the future and will be linked to Talent or Enterprise Learning systems.

Monitors & Displays: Bigger, Clearer, Cheaper, OLED Tech and Personalization. Above is the world's largest Oled TV at 97 inches from LG. Watch the size of monitors and displays grow to allow the size of an image to be as large or larger than real life. What we now see in a projected image will soon be viewed from a wall that is a digital monitor. We will also see monitor packages that will support working virtually. Here is a gaming monitor, ARK, that could be used as a desktop deep view of a manufacturing or production process by a remote manager:

Elliott’s Perceptions & Venture Video Snapshots: It is exciting to see innovations and technology evolutions each year. I was impressed with the global nature of the innovators. From seeing the keynote by the SONY CEO talk about supporting the sense of connection that people want and need in this changing world. To exploring the start up ventures from often young innovators in South America, Asia, Africa, Middle East and Eastern Europe.

Clearly, two years of a Pandemic experience is evolving what people and employers will need as technology innovation. I see an increased interest in “standards” that will allow tech to work with other tech, privacy awareness to increase and supporting lifestyles that have shifted in a “work from home” reality.

I was disappointed with absence of true innovation in a few areas that impact our field of Talent Development:

• Almost No “Work from Home” Tech Current Innovation.

• Few Curation or Knowledge Management Tools.

• Absence of Collaboration Innovation.

• Obsession with Prototype Autonomous Vehicles

• Low Levels of Focus on Human Design Factors

Video of Venture Innovations: Here is a clipped video roll of some of the technologies that are coming from ventures at CES:

I look forward to the sessions and interviews today. I’ll send and post another report tomorrow. Love to hear your comments or questions. Send me a note to emasie@masie.com

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie
MASIE Innovations
Learning COLLABORATIVE
www.masie.com