[CES2022] "Seems Less Than 40%"... Halved Exhibition Hall Filled by Korean Companies

On the 5th (local time), when 'CES 2022,' the world's largest electronics and IT exhibition, opened, Park Jung-ho, Vice Chairman of SK Hynix (center), visited the Las Vegas Convention Center in Nevada, USA, and was moving with company officials. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Las Vegas (USA) = Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] "This is the first time I've seen so few people. Still, since many Korean companies have come, I hope they receive a lot of encouragement."

Park Jung-ho, Vice Chairman and CEO of SK Square and SK Hynix, said on the 5th (local time) after touring the CES 2022 site held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in the United States, "It seems like only about 40% of the usual number of people compared to previous years." This was after sensing the atmosphere at the venue had cooled compared to before, as global companies, regular attendees of CES, declared they would not participate in the offline event due to the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

Nevertheless, he did not forget to deliver a message of encouragement for Korean companies busy introducing innovative technologies at CES. Vice Chairman Park emphasized, "Korea's technological capabilities and competitiveness are receiving great attention at CES 2022," adding, "Let us carry a sense of mission and further develop the competitiveness and ecosystem of Korea's ICT."

Visitors are touring the SK Group booth themed "A Carbon-Free Life, Your Partner on the Journey" at CES 2022, the world's largest electronics and IT exhibition held in Las Vegas, USA.

At the venue, booths set up by major Korean companies are relatively prominent. Samsung Electronics, which set up the largest booth among participants with an area of 3,596㎡ (about 1,088 pyeong), attracted domestic and international officials and reporters who checked future technologies in various fields such as home appliances, mobile, automotive electronics, and robotics.

SK Group also jointly set up a booth with six companies including SK Telecom, SK Inc., SK Innovation, SK Hynix, SK E&S, and SK Ecoplant. The booth, themed "A Carbon-Free Life, Your Companion on This Path," indicating the journey and partnership toward Net-Zero implementation, was filled with technology introductions highlighting carbon reduction efforts. The exhibition hall was designed like a forest path inspired by Indungsan in Chungbuk, where SK has long been engaged in afforestation projects. A large oak tree model was installed in the center.

In line with the exhibition theme of "Companionship," SK Group also provided visitors with hands-on opportunities to directly participate and contribute to carbon reduction. Visitors can learn and experience various carbon reduction methods that can be practiced in daily life, and receive green points. These points are accumulated at a rate of 1 dollar per 1,000 points and will be donated to a campaign to save mangrove forests in Vietnam.

Doosan Robotics showcased a robot drum performance at CES 2022, where the drummer is playing along with electronic cymbals connected to a collaborative robot.
[Photo by Doosan]

In addition, Doosan Group participated with companies including Doosan Corporation, Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction, Doosan Bobcat, Doosan Fuel Cell, Doosan Industrial Vehicle, Doosan Robotics, and Doosan Mobility Innovation (DMI), introducing future technologies such as 'Tri-Gen,' which enables hydrogen charging and power generation, electric vehicle charging, and smart farm operation; the process of producing green hydrogen by electrolyzing water with electricity generated from offshore wind turbines; technology for hydrogenating waste resources; drones; automated construction; and logistics equipment. At the entrance of the exhibition hall, Doosan Robotics' collaborative robot drum performance received great applause from visitors.

An industry official said, "Due to the impact of COVID-19, the number of visitors has decreased, and there are empty spaces in exhibition areas that were previously packed, creating a distinctly different atmosphere," but added, "On the other hand, more people are showing interest in Korean companies' booths, so it is expected to be a good opportunity."