SAN FRANCISCO: The major technical exhibition will take place, but only online: The 2021 Consumer Electronics Show kicks off Monday (January 11) with the aim of creating connections and showcasing the latest in robots, smart gadgets, digital health and more.
Around 1,800 exhibitors will take part in the show, forced to go online only by the coronavirus pandemic.
The new format will be a challenge for one of the largest trade events in the world. In previous years, the Las Vegas extravaganza has attracted more than 4,000 exhibitors from start-ups to large international companies, with up to 175,000 people in attendance.
The event opens with a media day – usually packed with press conferences in Las Vegas ballrooms – with streaming video presentations from companies such as Hisense, LG, Samsung and Sony.
The Consumer Technology Association, the trade body that runs the event, will also reveal the plans and trends for 2021.
Gary Shapiro, president and chief executive of the group, said the first all-digital presentation would “showcase the latest trends and innovations in artificial intelligence, 5G, digital health, smart cities, vehicle technology and beyond. “
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Digital CES relies on artificial intelligence to match interests identified in server profiles with exhibitors, hoping to spin software spinning on serendipity to thwart cool results on a display floor.
Software encourages people or exhibitors to connect and provide tools for online meetings or chairs.
CES has over 300 speakers lined up, with a greater focus on sessions diving into issues such as privacy and 5G internet.
Sessions will be available immediately for replay on request, and will be available until mid-February, according to CES organizers.
When the virtual showroom opens on Tuesday, attendees will be able to click into an online showcase booth for demos and chat.
Some shows that would normally draw a crowd in Las Vegas take place in the virtual space: Audi is ready to launch its electric sports car, and LG will show a large curved display for gamers; other companies distribute devices that are converted to 5G wireless networks that are gaining traction.
But some analysts say a lack of personal events has pushed many participants to the sidelines.
“It looks like a big part of the show is missing in action,” said Richard Windsor, an independent technology analyst who writes for the Free Mobile Radio blog.
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Windsor said health technology will be at the “top of the agenda” for the pandemic incident, which he said is likely to be a “reduced experience” compared to previous demonstrations.
The organizers of the show said they hope to deliver new knowledge that will be useful to the online audience of an expected 100,000 or more.
“CES is one of the most experimental events in the world, where attendees can see and experience the latest innovations,” CTA spokeswoman Jean Foster said during a pre-exhibition briefing.
“And while we can’t recreate that enchanting magic in Las Vegas, we can bring a whole new digital experience to our audience.”