NEW YORK — CES, the annual tech industry event formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show, returns to Las Vegas this week in hopes of looking just like it did before the coronavirus pandemic.
Media previews begin Tuesday and Wednesday, and the show begins Thursday and runs through Sunday.
The show changed its name to CES a few years ago to better reflect industry changes and events. The event expanded beyond audio and video to include automotive, digital health, smartphones, wearables, and other technologies.
A worker drives an elevator during preparations at the Las Vegas Convention Center before the start of the CES Tech Show in Las Vegas on Monday.
John Locher, Associated Press
Businesses and start-ups showcase their innovations in virtual reality, robotics, and consumer technology items to media and other tech industry folks. The show is closed to the public.
Organizers say their goal is to attract 100,000 attendees. At the last exhibition, in-person attendance dropped by 70% from him amid the proliferation of Omicron variants. Prior to that, the event was held virtually, replacing face-to-face displays and meet-and-greets with video streams and chat.
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Even if the organizers hit their targets, they would still see a 41% drop in attendance compared to in-person shows held in early 2020, before the pandemic consumed much of their daily lives.
About 3,000 companies have signed up to participate in the event, said Kinsey Fabrizio, senior vice president of the Consumer Technology Association, a trade group.
They include many startups and regular visitors like Amazon and Facebook’s parent company Meta. Both recently cut staff and implemented hiring freezes after beefing up staff during the pandemic. Other tech companies are also tightening their belts and laying off workers amid concerns about the economic climate.
The Associated Press spoke with Fabrizio about CES and what consumers should expect at the show. Conversations have been edited for clarity and length.
Q: The tech industry has been going through some rough times in the past few months. What impact do you think that will have on the show?
A: Well, the last two years have seen a boom in the tech industry. We are currently undergoing a rebalancing and there are layoffs as part of the rebalancing. But when it comes to CES, the companies are getting big. And we plan to showcase some of these solutions that were critical during the pandemic and many that have continued to change the way consumers live and behave. not.
Q: Are most of the exhibitors startups?
A: We have many startups and new companies. At his CES this year, he had over 1,000 new exhibitors, which is on par with previous years. Eureka Park, where our startups are mainly stationed, will also have repeat customers. They can stay there for up to two years. But there are also many companies that have been at CES for some time.
Q: The theme of the program is human security. how did you get there?
A: We were approached by the United Nations and the World Academy of Arts and Sciences, which has long worked on human security. You can think of this as a basic human right — like access to food and health care. They wanted his CES to actually use this theme. Because our exhibitors are showing how technology is solving some of these big global challenges.
Q: Historically, CES has focused on convenience and personal technology. So there will be a shift.
A: This is the shift. We’ve talked about how technology solves the world’s challenges. But so far he has never set a theme at CES. It’s always been about innovation and great products for the consumer. For example, John Deere presents some of the agricultural techniques that really contribute to sustainability and access to food. Another company has created a secure voting technology on the blockchain. This is in line with the United Nations theme of political security.
Q: The metaverse will be another big topic. Many companies invest in it. What can visitors expect to see at the show?
A: The metaverse is an important theme. The show floor has a section dedicated to Web3 technology. Also planned is a shared, immersive virtual experience. Automaker Stellantis and Microsoft have partnered to create a showroom in the metaverse. There is a company called OVR of his that created a solution that allows you to smell in the metaverse. People are talking about unique ways to reach customers and the different experiences they get there. It will be a big theme among exhibitors large and small.
5 reasons why technological innovation has changed the jobs of skilled workers
5 reasons why technological innovation has changed the jobs of skilled workers
New technology can have a significant impact on the companies that adopt it, helping reduce errors and increase productivity. It is the same now as it was in the past.
For example, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift to automation in many companies looking to ease labor shortages and increase profits. According to his September 2021 report for the Harvard Business Review, jobs related to artificial intelligence, algorithms and automation increased 28% compared to the previous quarter of the year. And his April 2022 report on cloud computing predicts that spending on cloud-based services will approach his $600 billion next year, compared to his just over $400 billion in 2021. It has been.
In particular, the construction industry and other trade jobs have recently undergone major technological upheaval as they have navigated supply chain issues and labor shortages. ServiceTitan has compiled a partial list of these technologies based on non-random surveys of members of the Association of General Contractors, other research reports, and industry news reports.
Images from Sorn340 Studio // Shutterstock
Technology hosted in the cloud
As mentioned earlier, many companies, including trading businesses, are increasingly relying on cloud-hosted technologies. The way companies have had to deal with the supply he chain issues brought on by the pandemic shows the benefits of putting information in the cloud.
For example, heating, ventilation and air conditioning components are in high demand, mainly due to supply chain issues. As a result, many trading companies do not have enough new equipment, raw materials such as PVC, or replacement parts to meet demand. Manufacturers and businesses alike are battling a labor shortage. The companies that thrive are those that have implemented a modern inventory cloud management system. These companies can better analyze the products they can source in the U.S. and determine the cost of equipment and materials to prevent potential loss of revenue. Also, ensuring that equipment and materials are available reduces idle time due to shortages and aids in employee retention.
jamesteohart // Shutterstock
mobile software
More and more companies are using mobile software apps on construction sites. Construction software apps help project workers analyze and share data in real time, enabling workers to generate field reports faster. According to an AGC survey released in January, most members (68%) said they will use mobile software technology primarily for daily field reporting this year. Sixty percent of AGC members also said they plan to use mobile software for employee time tracking, and 57% said they plan to use the software for field access to job information.
sculpey // shutterstock
virtual reality and augmented reality
The history of virtual and augmented reality dates back to the 1980s, when government agencies such as NASA used the technology to create lifelike scenes and objects. Mainstream interest waned for a while, but in recent years there has been more technological advancement and funding.
AR is achieved through visual elements and sounds through technology, while virtual reality aims to create sensory experiences that include sight and touch. According to a 2021 Grand View Research report, the AR market is expected to grow to nearly his $600 billion.
Several companies have taken advantage of AR and VR technology in recent years, such as the creation of the HoloLens headset by Microsoft. The device uses AR technology with holographic processing and multiple optical sensors to simulate virtual worlds.
Technologies like HoloLens help engineers identify problems and efficiencies in the early stages of design and create accurate models before construction begins. On construction sites, the device can be used to inspect safety and assist in worker training. McKinstry, who has multiple locations across the United States, used HoloLens to build his AR solution for his pipe hanger installation project.
SeventyFour // Shutterstock
Building information modeling
Architectural plans and technical drawings are increasingly being replaced by Building Information Modeling, a digital representation of space widely used by architects, engineers, and construction workers. BIM can provide 3D model data and documentation for the interior and exterior of buildings. According to a 2021 Dodge Data & Analytics report, the use of BIM is the most common among architects, with 40% using the technology for space utilization planning. About one in five of his AGC members surveyed plans to increase his investment in BIM in 2022.
ME Images // Shutterstock
drone
Drones can monitor their surroundings while working and catch potentially dangerous situations. For example, in 2021, drone surveillance footage revealed cracks in the Interstate 40 bridge in Tennessee, threatening to repair the bridge to avoid further catastrophe. closed to
The construction industry is expected to see huge investments under President Biden’s infrastructure bill. This includes his $110 billion in road and bridge projects and recognition of grants to use U.S.-made drones to ensure safety while work is in progress. Other legislation was recently passed to help research universities train employees who will operate future drones.
This story was originally published on ServiceTitan and was created and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock
