[CES 2024] "Mirror~ Recommend cosmetics that suit today's skin condition"

AI·Robotics Technology Dominates CES
AI Mirror Checks Skin Condition and Recommends Cosmetics
Robot Barista Recognizes Obstacles and Controls Movement
Daily Health Check with a Single Photo
Detachable Joint Robot Utilizing Precise Processes

"How is my skin today?" Joshua (a pseudonym), who lives in California, USA, starts his day with an AI smart mirror. When the mirror takes a photo, it checks the overall condition of his skin, such as redness, oiliness, and dark spots. Then, it recommends cosmetics suitable for his skin condition. When he says "I'm tired today" in front of the mirror, it plays warm music and videos that lift his mood. When he brushes his teeth with a toothbrush linked to the AI mirror, it informs him of areas that were not cleaned well and tracks the time. When he asks for information about his appointment location, it also recommends popular nearby restaurants.

At CES 2024, the world's largest electronics and IT exhibition held in Las Vegas, USA, the French digital health company Baracoda exhibited the AI smart mirror 'Bmind.' It applies generative AI and natural language processing-based technology to actively communicate with users. All operations of the mirror can be controlled by hand gestures or voice commands.

AI Smart Mirror by French Digital Health Company Baracoda Exhibited at CES 2024
[Photo by Woo Su-yeon]

This year's main theme at CES is 'Artificial Intelligence (AI).' AI technology is already integrated into many aspects of our daily lives. Especially when robotics technology, which performs specific functions on behalf of humans, meets AI, the convenience humans can enjoy is maximized. This is because robots that think and act on their own without the user having to think or give commands are realized.

On the 10th (local time) at CES 2024 held in Las Vegas, USA, we explored innovative ideas applying advanced technologies such as AI and robotics. From the United States, the paradise of startups, to companies from Europe, Japan, Taiwan, and Israel, the cutting edge of AI technology was showcased.

At the booth of the American robotics company RichTechRobotics, a cute-looking AI robot playing the role of a barista caught attention. This American company announced the advanced AI features of its barista robot solution 'ADAM' at this CES. Robot Adam is equipped with 'generative AI,' like the heart of Iron Man, in its chest. When ordering a drink and talking to Adam, conversations on any topic are possible. Also, Adam recognizes all obstacles within its movement range and controls its movements autonomously. This means that if someone moves the cup to various locations, Adam can detect this and extend its arm accordingly. Timothy Tansley, Marketing Manager, said, "Many competing barista robots have been released, but they can only move within a fixed radius. Adam can respond autonomously to various situations."

AI Barista Robot by RichTech Robotics
Photo by Woo Su-yeon

AI facial monitoring system by Japan's NEC
Photo by Woo Su-yeon

The next place we visited was the booth of the Japanese IT company NEC. NEC developed technology that can analyze human facial patterns, brainwaves, and pupil size to detect mental health conditions such as stress and depression. No separate device is needed. By taking just one photo with a smartphone application (app), AI determines health status such as pulse, oxygen saturation, and stress level within one minute. An NEC representative said, "You can take a photo every day to understand your own health status and also check the health of elderly parents living far away."

Taiwan's national research institute ITRI also set up a large booth in the Convention North Hall. At this CES, ITRI exhibited advanced technologies such as a detachable joint robot, a metaverse smart factory simulation platform, and an augmented reality (AR) interactive vehicle display. At the ITRI booth we visited, a robotic arm was moving following a small star-shaped drawing the size of a palm. This demonstrated the robot's performance capable of performing precise tasks such as semiconductor processing.

Simple-level robotics technologies already commercialized in the market also caught attention. Wireless robot vacuum cleaner company Aiper introduced its brand's first lawn mower. The Horizon U1, unveiled at this event, is a wireless lawn mower that uses AI to enhance obstacle recognition capabilities. It calculates distances to obstacles, especially moving pets, and avoids them while mowing the lawn.

In the future, AI technology is expected to enhance convenience and efficiency in our lives while creating tremendous economic effects. Global consulting firm McKinsey projected that the global AI market will grow to about $18 trillion by 2030. During the same period, the contribution of the AI industry to the global gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to be $13 trillion.