This year’s annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in the orbit of the new Las Vegas MSG Sphere is itself a kind of a crystal ball that foreshadows the fortunes of spirited innovators.
The 2024 CES convocation was making a comeback. The usual magnet for “early adopters” drew more than 171,000 people in 2020 but went online-only in 2021. Last year saw less than 50,000 attending with numerous companies sitting out amid lingering Covid concerns.
For 2024, more than 135,000 attendees, a record increase of more than 40%, came from 150 countries, regions and territories. 60% of Fortune 500 companies were represented and 5000-plus global media and content creators packed the show’s media centers.
The CES 2024 Innovation Awards program pulled in 3000-plus submissions, a record high, and included AI as a new category. Apple played CES spoiler once again by announcing the availability of its highly anticipated Vision Pro mixed-reality headset. The LG OLED T is a transparent television set you can see — and see through. Samsung showed up with a phone display that folds forward and backward. And then there was the obligatory flying taxi unveiling.
On the show’s opening day, CTA announced the launch of the Consumer Technology Circularity Initiative (CTCI), a pioneering industry initiative to reduce waste, encourage reuse, enhance recycling and reduce climate impact. Founding members of the voluntary program are Lenovo, LG Electronics, Panasonic, Samsung and Sony Electronics Inc. Together with CTA, the CTCI founding companies will work to drive, among other goals, meaningful reductions to the environmental impact of materials used in consumer electronics products.
The early reservation list compiled by Geekwire showed a strong contingent from our corner of the American linoleum,
Amazon
- The Seattle tech giant promoted a slate of products and services across e-commerce, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, internet of things, and high-tech retail, as well as vehicle technology.
Ant Reality
- The Redmond, Wash.-based startup, founded by Zheng Qin in 2021, focused on wide field of view optical solutions for augmented reality and virtual reality hybrid glasses.
Bluetooth SIG
- Kirkland, Wash.-based Bluetooth SIG is a community of companies working to expand the capabilities of Bluetooth technology. At CES, the focus was on devices in audio, wearables, auto, IoT, smart home and more relying on wireless device communications and positioning.
Elektrobit
- With an office in Bothell, Wash., Elektrobit is a global vendor of software products and services for the automotive industry, powering such things as connectivity and security, automated driving, user experience and more.
HaptX
- The Redmond, Wash.-based makers of haptic gloves for use in virtual reality and robotics, raised $23 million in new funding in September. The company says its HaptX Gloves DK2 provide realistic touch sensation.
Heybike
- The Spokane, Wash.-based electric bike company offers a variety of models including all-terrain bikes, commuter bikes and folding bikes. A fat-tired, full-suspension, folding bike called Tyson is due to be launched at CES.
IO Intelligence
- The Bellevue, Wash.-based company provides net-generation WiFi, internet, voice and data solutions.
Littlebird
- The Seattle-based startup makes a wristband tracker for kids, with an accompanying app for caregivers and parents. Littlebird is on display via the Nordic Semiconductor booth — “a huge coup due to their prestige and reputation with wireless and cellular IoT community globally,” Littlebird founder Monica Plath said.
Lumotive
- Redmond, Wash.-based Lumotive’s Light Control Metasurface chips, which enable a beam of light to be “steered,” are designed for next-generation lidar applications such as delivery drones, self-driving cars and mobile home robots like intelligent vacuum cleaners, The New York Times reported.
Melliens
- In a bid to address global greenhouse gas emissions generated by livestock, the Kirkland, Wash.-based fintech startup aims to use big data to monitor the carbon footprint of cattle and trade “cowcarbon” credits to incentivize low-carbon beef production.
Microsoft
- The Redmond, Wash.-based tech giant hosted two show floor exhibits — a Microsoft and partner devices booth showcasing consumer, commercial and gaming devices powered by Windows 11; and an automotive, mobility, and transportation booth for innovation across the metaverse, autonomous and software-defined vehicles. More details here.
MicroVision
- The Redmond, Wash.-based company develops microelectromechanical (MEMS)-based automotive lidar and solutions for advanced driver assistance systems.
MOFT
- Seattle-based MOFT — or Mobile Office for Travelers — designs compact products for digital devices, such as phone and tablet stands, to meet the demands of creating and working on the go.
Nuheara
- With an office in Bellevue, Wash., the Australian company Nuheara creates smart hearing technology to augment a person’s hearing ability. It received FDA Clearance for its over-the-counter self-fitting hearing aid, HP Hearing PRO.
Ossia
- Redmond, Wash.-based Ossia is the developer of Cota, a wireless power system that works like WiFi, but instead of sending data, it sends power. Founder Hatem Zeine previously told GeekWire that his vision was to create a world where his young son never knew what it’s like to have to search for an outlet to power a device. At CES, the company announced a Universal Charging Base, 5.8GHz Real Wireless Power Developer Kit and a three-way partnership with Fujitsu Semiconductor Memory Solution and Marubun.
Pacvue
- Acquired in October 2021 by e-commerce software company Assembly, Pacvue provides advertising and sales tools to online retailers selling products on Amazon, Walmart, Instacart, and other marketplaces. Clients include Duracell, Keurig, Unilever, Johnson & Johnson, and others.
RAM Mounts
- Seattle-based RAM Mounts manufactures mounting systems and docking stations for phones, tablets, laptops and other accessories for vehicles, motorcycles and elsewhere.
RealWear
- The Vancouver, Wash.-based startup, which makes “assisted reality” headsets used by frontline workers, unveiled its next-generation RealWear Navigator 520 as part of CES. The smart device features a fully redesigned viewing system, known as HyperDisplay.
Sigmadesign
- Headquartered in Camas, Wash., the product design and engineering firm offers services from concept through production, and expertise in IoT, consumer electronics and recreational products.
Somalytics
- The University of Washington spinout is developing technology to sense human gestures, body functions and eye movement. This week, the company is introducing SomaSleep, the world’s first eye-tracking sleep mask that detects REM at home. Somalytics is a CES 2023 Innovation Award honoree in the Embedded Tech category for its capacitive sensor technology, called SomCap, that is powering the sleep mask and other products.
Synesso Espresso Machines
- Founded in 2004, the Seattle-based company makes commercial espresso machines for coffee professionals around the world.
Tectonic Audio Labs
- Through its Distributed Mode Loudspeaker (DML) and Balanced Mode Radiator (BMR) products, Woodinville, Wash.-based Tectonic’s aim is to transform the way we hear sound, whether it’s through headphones, a smartphone speaker, the speakers in your car or elsewhere across the consumer products landscape.
The Spoon
- The Seattle-based media company provides daily reporting and insight into the food tech revolution with interviews, analysis, podcasts, newsletters and more connected to those reinventing cooking and the kitchen.
Teal
- The Seattle startup, which sells a networking service used by Internet of Things device operators and others, is hosting a meet and greet at Richard Brandon’s villa in the Virgin Hotel. The company raised $10.8 million last spring.
Tineco Intelligent Technology Co.
- Founded in 1998, the Seattle-based company creates smart household electronics, including a line of smart vacuums, carpet cleaners and more.
T-Mobile
- The Bellevue, Wash.-based wireless carrier has a couple panelists at CES. Kevin McLaughlin, SVP Consumer Marketing, participated in the panel “Connecting Customers with Tailored Experiences.” Kari Marshall, VP of Media, spoke on the panel “Advertising’s New Normal: Unifying Streaming and Identity in 2023.”
