CES 2024: How a Jetsons type lifestyle is getting ever closer
Photo credit: Consumer Technology Association
Last week the world’s biggest tech event - CES - took over Las Vegas to showcase some of the coolest tech that’s solving the world’s biggest problems.
CES continues to let us dream of a future where technology is king and the Jetsons lifestyle is getting closer to being normal.
According to official figures, this year the event saw 2.5+ million net square feet of exhibits, which is 15% bigger than last year. There were 4,300 exhibitors, with 135,000+ attendees across 150 countries, regions and territories.
But what about the tech?
Unsurprisingly, artificial intelligence dominated the conversation at this year’s event, with companies discussing the huge potential of AI to improve our world. There were hundreds of new products launched, here’s a round up of some of our favourites:
LG’s smart home AI agent - with its two legged design, the AI agent is able to navigate the home independently. It can verbally interact with users and express emotions. It also combines voice and image recognition along with natural language processing to allow the robot to understand context and intentions. Perhaps it’s our own Rosie the Robot from the Jetsons!
Supernal’s Air Taxi - expected to be on the market by 2028, this is what the taxi of the future will look like. With its lightweight design and ability to land vertically and fly up to 120 miles an hour, this will be a gamechanger in the world of travel.
Rabbit’s AI assistant - this is an AI-powered palm-sized gadget that everyone is talking about. It’s not a smartphone and it’s not a voice assistant. Instead it’s a device that is designed to change the way we interact with technology and take us back to a time when using a phone was simple. It can navigate app interfaces to perform tasks, capable of activities including booking rides or accommodation and managing household tasks. Consumers are clearly keen to try it as it’s already sold out of initial units.
The Holoconnect Holobox - previously only seen as something in the movies, this Holobox makes it possible to talk to someone via hologram. Its “plug and play” design means all you need is the internet and a plain background, and you can join video calls. However, unless you’re happy to have a huge box sitting in your living room, it will take some time for this to take off.
Barsys’ 360 Cocktail Robot - ever fancied a cocktail but thought it was too much effort to make? Then Barsys’ 360 Cocktail Robot is for you. The machine has six receptacles to pour alcohol and mixers of your choice. It has its own app which lets you know what cocktails you can make with the ingredients. Say no more ;-)
These launches highlight that the Jetsons future is closer than ever. But it’s important to remember that the world continues to evolve and change, and it’s hard to predict what’s going to happen. Who could have predicted the impact of the global pandemic in 2020, for example. And we all know Back to the Future didn’t quite capture 2015 as it actually happened.
All we can hope is that technology continues to be the enabler of humanity, connecting society, transforming lives, breaking down barriers and offering new opportunities.
Did you attend CES 2024? What was your favourite product launch of the week?