[CES2020] New Technologies in Daily Life... Opening the Tangible 'Hyperconnected Era'

'CES 2020' Successfully Concludes
IoT Technology Connecting Objects, Homes, and Cities
Implemented Across All Areas Including Appliances and Cars

On the 8th of last month (local time), visitors wearing augmented reality (AR) devices toured booths at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Nevada, USA, during the world's largest consumer electronics and information technology (IT) exhibition, CES (Consumer Electronics Show) 2020.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Las Vegas (USA) = Asia Economy Reporter Park So-yeon] Montblanc wristwatches, Samsung Electronics smartphones, IKEA blinds and door handles...

The moment I entered the Google pavilion at the world's largest home appliance and IT exhibition 'CES 2020', I couldn't believe my eyes. After examining for a while, I realized that Google was exhibiting partner products connected to its artificial intelligence (AI) assistant.

The hyper-connected era where all objects and people are connected. At this year's CES, the hyper-connected era that had only been talked about for years was realized in a tangible form. CES 2020, held in Las Vegas, USA, from the 7th (local time) for four days, successfully concluded on the 10th.

◆Hyper-connection runs through CES= At this exhibition, Samsung Electronics introduced the 'Digital Butler' feature, which allows TVs to recognize and control even old devices that are not connected to the internet or Wi-Fi.

Kim Hyun-seok, President of Samsung Electronics, said, "As interest in home Internet of Things (IoT) increases, currently 110 million people worldwide have downloaded Samsung Electronics' IoT management system 'SmartThings' application, and among them, about 50 to 60 million people actively use it," adding, "SmartThings, which was first launched overseas, is scheduled to be introduced in Korea this year."

Samsung Electronics' Family Hub 5.0 refrigerator connects the whole family. It reproduces the analog sentiment of family members leaving messages and attaching family photos on the refrigerator with technology.

If a daughter sends a photo taken with her smartphone outside to the refrigerator, the father cooking inside the house can immediately see it on the refrigerator's display. If the son sends a message from outside saying, "Mom, I want ribs," the mother can connect to delivery apps like Market Kurly from the refrigerator and order right away.

Besides Samsung Electronics, several global companies showcased IoT technologies connecting people, homes, and cities as their main focus. Bosch presented smart city technologies under the slogan 'Technology in Life.' They exhibited advanced connected solution technologies linking homes, cars, communities, and cities for connected living. Panasonic also presented various technological blueprints emphasizing connectivity.

Panasonic prominently displayed 'HOME:X,' a connected technology platform aimed at smart cities rather than home appliances like TVs, at the exhibition. HOME:X is a connected platform installed in homes. It connects homes, cities, and countries to obtain various information. They introduced various advanced technologies such as intelligent transportation systems and connectivity platforms.

Domestic telecom companies also emphasized their identity as hyper-connected companies based on 5G mobile communication and AI technology. Park Jung-ho, CEO of SK Telecom, said, "The SK Telecom brand is good, but I believe we are at a starting point where we can even change the name," adding, "It will be a name that contains the meaning of a comprehensive ICT company like 'Hyperconnector,' which means hyper-connector."

On the afternoon of the 6th (local time), Kim Hyun-seok, President of Samsung Electronics' Consumer Electronics (CE) division, introduced the intelligent companion robot 'Ballie' during the CES 2020 keynote speech held at The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆5G communication like air in a hyper-connected society= At the foundation of realizing this hyper-connected era is 5G, which is established like air. Until last year, 5G remained a decorative role that made various new products stand out, but this year it took the lead role.

Wireless environments require 5G networks to implement ultra-high-speed services in innovative products unveiled at this exhibition, such as robots, Samsung Electronics' vehicle 'Digital Cockpit 2020,' and the '5G-8K-TV' jointly developed by SK Telecom and Samsung Electronics.

Especially, 5G integrated with mobility plays a key role in ensuring the safety of autonomous driving. Various autonomous vehicles from automakers revealed at CES 2020 are based on 5G. Autonomous vehicles and systems introduced by automakers such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, and Toyota are underpinned by 5G.

◆Robots as problem solvers also attract attention= At this CES, the appearance of robots that have stepped beyond concept images and are approaching real life also caught attention. Robots that were only possible in movies, such as cooking, doing dishes, following people, and understanding speech, have become a reality.

Companies are making robots a pillar of future new businesses and are developing various robots and related solutions across fields from industrial to service robots. Samsung Electronics unveiled 'Ballie,' a robot that rolls like a ball and acts as a companion robot and AI assistant. They also revealed the walking assistance robot 'GEMS,' which is planned to be used to help people who have difficulty walking.