What caught our eye at CES 2024

The world's largest and most influential technology trade show, CES, is a hotbed of innovation across many industries. This year, Roland Berger was in Las Vegas again to see what would make waves in the tech world. Our takeaways from CES 2024 emphasized four areas in which tech can help: work and business, our planet, our health, and our future.

The innovations on display covered a broad spectrum, from renewable energy and autonomous vehicles to health and wellness products and game-changing retail experiences. This recap summarizes some of our highlights and takeaways from CES 2024.

Growing demand for semiconductors
The increasing demand for advanced semiconductors in various industries, such as automotive, healthcare, and data centers, was apparent. There was also a growing focus on sustainability in semiconductor manufacturing, with companies showcasing their efforts to reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint.

AI everywhere
AI was a prominent theme at CES 2024, featured as a selling point in everything from toothbrushes to mattresses. AI is no longer just a buzzword but a tangible feature integrated into many products to make them more intelligent, intuitive, and user-friendly.

Collaboration is king
Companies are increasingly partnering across industries and technologies to develop innovative solutions. We also observed a growing focus on the convergence of hardware and software, with companies showcasing their efforts to create integrated solutions.

Mobility moves forward
The future of mobility was a central theme at CES 2024, particularly regarding sustainability and user experience. Various companies presented their latest efforts to develop electric and autonomous vehicles. Drones and robots for transporting various objects across many distances were also featured.

Robots have become increasingly capable
Developments in AI and automation are rapidly enhancing robotics' functionality and capabilities. Indeed, robots are now becoming more versatile, adaptable, and efficient, suitable for a wide range of applications.

Smarter health and wellbeing
Health and wellness was another prominent theme at CES 2024, with many companies showcasing innovative products and technologies. We noted a growing emphasis on functionality over flashy aesthetics, with home devices delivering benefits without obstruction. Using AI and sensors in health and wellness products aims to make them more personalized, accurate, and effective.

Renewables for all sizes
As expected, the importance of sustainability grows each year. Hydrogen and solar cells are now proving feasible at various scales, from small-scale personal devices to large-scale infrastructure. Renewable energy sources are becoming more practical and accessible, making them a viable alternative to traditional ones.

Connectivity goes from strength to strength
The number of connected devices is increasing yearly, with Matter, Wi-Fi 7, and Qi2 being broadly adopted and integrated. These technologies are making devices more interoperable, efficient, and user-friendly. The use of AI in connected devices is making them more intelligent and intuitive, improving their functionality and capabilities.

Seven stands that caught our attention

Gigabyte's impressive-looking AI-native HPC (High-Performance Computing) advanced data center is designed to provide high performance, low power consumption, and high reliability.

Holobox's latest innovation promises a holistic communication experience, combining voice, video, and text in a single device. The device is also portable and easy to use, making it ideal for remote work and collaboration.

Supernal, Hyundai Motor Group’s advanced air mobility spinoff, displayed its S-A2 concept vehicle. Designed to transport up to four passengers and cargo, the S-A2 will cruise at 120 mph with a range of 60 miles. Prototype testing is scheduled for 2026.

Walmart's “Future of Retail” showcased Walmart's efforts to develop a Gen AI and AR-powered retail experience. This experience aims to provide a personalized and immersive shopping experience with AI-powered recommendations and AR-powered product visualization.

Samsung's impressive stand featured a wide range of innovative products and technologies, including intelligent and versatile robots with AI integration. The exhibit also featured various health and wellness products, including a smartwatch with advanced health monitoring capabilities.

LG's presence was equally eye-catching, emphasizing various innovative products and technologies. Sustainability, health, and wellness were featured prominently, including a smart mirror with advanced health monitoring capabilities.

Kia focused on software-defined vehicles, an increasingly important trend in the automotive industry , with many companies adopting this approach. Kia's stand also presented various health and wellness products, including a smart car seat with advanced health monitoring capabilities.

This year, it was evident #WhatTechCanDo. The AI hype was felt throughout CES 2024 , with some use cases proving more practical than others. Translating these developments into tangible impact will be key this year as companies race to be the tech leaders in their fields while delivering tangible consumer benefits.

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