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By James Lint
Faculty Member, School of Business, American Military University
Senior Editor for InCyberDefense and Contributor, In Homeland Security
Consumer electronics mega-show CES 2018 closed with some impressive numbers. According to the CTA press release, “More than 3,900 exhibitors showcased world-changing technologies that spanned more than 2.75 million net square feet of exhibit space across Las Vegas – the largest show floor in CES’ 51-year history.
“There were 860,732 tweets about CES 2018 and 450,554 users of the #CES2018 hashtag. From major international brands to the more than 900 startups participating in Eureka Park (home for CES startups), CES 2018 truly reflected the vibrant global tech industry.”
If this was the largest CES show in its history, it may also have been the largest convention in Las Vegas history.
International Reach of CES 2018 Expands
The number of international attendees increased in 2018. Karen Chupka, senior vice president of CES and corporate business strategy, stated, “We had a record number of international attendees, which is amazing due to the strength of the U.S. dollar and the drop in international business travel to the U.S.”
CES 2018 Exhibits Featured New Technologies with High Potential
Solable is a French startup founded in 2015 that focuses on the energy and water sector. Solable’s product LaVie turns tap water into pure mineral water via a glass bottle, which is placed in a natural bamboo case for 20 minutes. Its patented technology removes chlorine, chloramine, pesticides, chemicals, odors and tastes, but leaves all minerals and trace elements untouched.
A new generation of mobility scooters was also displayed at CES on January 7, 2018. RELYNC is the first smart folding mobility scooter, which was recognized by the CES Innovation Awards in the new Smart Cities category.
RELYNC’s light frame is portable and thinner than existing mobility scooters. It can be folded and packed away into a self-contained suitcase in two steps, the company said.
The smartphone-compatible scooter boasts a number of innovative features, including a built-in dashboard, LED light navigation, a gyroscopic sensor and speed algorithms to automatically reduce speeds when safe limits are exceeded. This scooter also has a USB port to allow riders to charge other devices on the go.
CTA Predicts Billion-Dollar Growth in Retail Consumer Technology Industry in 2018
The Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the owner and producer of CES, expects the retail consumer technology industry will reach a record high of $351 billion in revenue in 2018. That’s a 3.9 percent increase over 2017.
“The growth in projected revenue is due in part to consumer excitement about emerging technologies like smart speakers, smart home devices, virtual reality (VR), drones and wearables,” the CTA added.
Smart Speakers was a frequent buzzword heard at the show. The two main competitors in this market are Amazon Alexa and Google Home. This industry is expected to grow 93 percent in 2018 to $3.8 billion in revenue. A German company is already working on putting Amazon’s Alexa into autos.
CES 2018 Is Always a Learning Experience
It is impossible not to find something new or to learn at CES. The show provides visitors with a chance to discover how technology works and affects overseas markets without the cost of international travel. With a pool of 184,000 thousand people, you are bound to get answers to almost any questions in the technology sphere.
About the Author
James R. Lint recently retired as the (GG-15) civilian director for intelligence and security, G2, U.S. Army Communications Electronics Command. He is an adjunct professor at AMU. James has been involved in cyberespionage events from just after the turn of the century in Korea supporting 1st Signal Brigade to the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis as the first government cyber intelligence analyst. He has 38 years of experience in military intelligence with the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army, government contracting and civil service.
Additionally, James started the Lint Center for National Security Studies, a nonprofit charity that recently awarded its 49th scholarship for national security students and professionals. James was also elected as the 2015 national vice president for the Military Intelligence Corps Association. He has also served in the Department of Energy’s S&S Security Office after his active military career in the Marine Corps for seven years and 14 years in the Army. His military assignments include South Korea, Germany and Cuba, in addition to numerous CONUS locations. In 2017, he was appointed to the position of Adjutant for The American Legion, China Post 1. James has authored a book published in 2013, “Leadership and Management Lessons Learned,” a book published in 2016 “8 Eyes on Korea, A Travel Perspective of Seoul, Korea,” and a new book in 2017 “Secrets to Getting a Federal Government Job.”
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