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Fein-Lines: CES 2024—Showstoppers and a Real Show-Opener

On Press Day at CES 2024 in Las Vegas, I chose to attend presentations from TCL, Samsung, and a few others, but while traveling between events, I became distracted by a presentation by Abbott Labs that I have to tell you about.

Blood donations are down significantly, with the least number of donations coming from a segment that is the most medically valuable—Generations X, Z, and Alpha—who say it is stressful to donate blood. Abbott Labs, with the help of groups like the Gulf Coast Blood Center in Houston, and the Blood Centers of America in West Warwick, Rhode Island, have developed a way to make donating blood far less stressful. Jennifer Kapral of Blood Centers of America and Theresa Pina of Gulf Coast Blood Center were answering questions and talking about this amazingly new and effective way of using mixed reality to make it fun to donate blood.

Mixed reality allows donors to be mentally in another world but still communicate with the medical technician. The process seems to totally relieve stress in the moment as well as the stress that usually builds when thinking about donating blood at a future date.

Because of my feelings regarding the value of this process and my questions regarding its use, I was offered a chance to try it. It took me to a different world where I could take part in distracting activities, but I could still communicate with the real world. This is a use of XR, VR, and MR technology that we have been following for the last few years and is being used to do a great deal of good. Because of the ease of use, the effectiveness of this process, and the good it can do, I feel this was perhaps the most impressive use of a relatively new process I have seen.

One topic of focus by more than 90% of the presenters and exhibitors was artificial intelligence. There is no doubt that AI is being used or at least extensively considered in just about everything. Feelings are changing regarding the huge increase in using AI, the plan to use it, or at least the mention of it in just about every upcoming process or hardware announcement or description. Acceptance is going up. I feel that the need for AI in many of the products/processes is now being greatly exaggerated but there are so many things that will rely on using AI, and we will see that increase in the next few years.

CES Unveiled and Showstoppers were extremely valuable as usual. They let you see technology and devices that have not been on previous show floors. Here are some of my favorites:

A Smart cane for the blind and visually-impaired by HearSee Mobility. It empowers the blind with AI-powered navigation software that provides indoor directions and identifies nearby points of interest.

The Earth Boring machine, an electrically-powered underground miner which can be controlled from a remote office.

I liked a people-carrying drone from SK Group, which to me was basically a flying car. It is so close to being available that test flights at CES were available.

The Swarovski AX Visio 10x32 binoculars add a new dimension to natural experiences with numerous functions, including intelligent technology combined with high-precision analog optics in Swarovision quality to assist with the real-time identification of more than 9,000 birds and many other wildlife. I expect that the identification capability use will expand significantly. The integrated camera captures photos and videos. These can then be immediately managed and shared with a connected smartphone using the associated Swarovski Optik Outdoor App.

The longest and yet perhaps the most interesting session was from Samsung. Yes, much of what they are doing involves AI, but it seems to truly add value. It was reported, “Robot baristas and AI chefs may be concerned about the future of their union jobs.” The progress of robots, and robotics in general, has increased to an amazing level over the last year. AI-supporting hardware comes from companies like NVIDIA, which is increasing its dominance. Smart home robots by companies like LG will soon be available. The new Samsung home robot “Ballie” uses the latest AI to greet you at the door when you come home and will come to you when you call for it. It can project information and other content when required. Samsung used the phrase “AI for all” as a focal point during its super press day presentation. 

In my next column, I will cover more of the most impressive showings, including solar devices, TV capabilities, and so much more. As always, I never get to see as much as I would like to, but it doesn’t stop me from trying.

Dan Feinberg is a technical editor at I-Connect007 and founder of Fein-Lines Associates.