CES 2021 is all about pandemic technology

CES 2021 is all about pandemic technology

by

The robot, Samsung’s Bot Handy, is the company’s vision for “a better new normal” as more people work, cook, eat and drown in dishes at home than ever before during the global pandemic. As can be seen in a video shown at the 2021 CES virtual consumer technology fair on Monday, Bot Handy is, well, useful at home; not just to pick up some unfinished tasks, but to remind you of upcoming meetings and stretch your legs if you’ve been sitting for a long time.

It is only in development for now – no price or release date has been announced – but Samsung said it is part of a larger effort to make the technology simpler at home. “The technologies in your home need to work harder to help you adjust to this new normal,” said the company in the description of the session on the CES website.

Companies large and small exhibited their innovations at the technology fair, which started on Monday, and many with resources tied to life during the pandemic. There is MaskFone, a facial cover marketed as having an integrated N95 filter, headphones and microphone for making calls, and a wearable for the ears called Cove, which claims that its gentle vibrations regulate anxiety and stress.
For the kitchen, manufacturer Kohler showed voice control features for its sinks and other accessories, so that owners can turn on the taps without ever touching them. The startup Handsteco in the UK praised sinks with integrated artificial intelligence to guide people through hygiene techniques in hospitals, offices and public spaces.
What to expect from the first all-digital CES 2021

The topic of pandemic technology has also left home. Taking advantage of the growth in online delivery, lock maker Yale announced that it is now shipping its smart delivery box to keep packages protected from pirates when they arrive. A delivery man places a package in the storage box, which closes automatically, and the owners receive a notification.

While some of these products, like Bot Handy, may seem a little misleading, ABI Research analyst Jonathan Collins said there is definitely money to be made from items that help automate household chores. The market research firm found that the smart home market in 2020 grew 6.7% compared to 2019 to $ 88 billion. However, this is $ 11 billion below pre-pandemic expectations.
Even products that were not specifically related to the pandemic can explore the way we live now. Flashy new TVs, one of the pillars of CES events, seemed even more appropriate this year, as we are stuck at home, glued to the TV and increasingly aware of our surroundings. LG, for example, perked up with its new transparent 55-inch TV, the latest company to show screens that you can see when you’re off.

Meanwhile, a Panasonic hair dryer that you don’t need to move – a built-in oscillator does all the work for you – also generated some buzz, at a time when many people didn’t cut their hair or cut it properly.

People attend CES events to get a sense of where technology is going in the years to come, but this year’s event is arguably about the industry catching up on the ways the pandemic has reshaped our lives last year.

With vaccines on the horizon, it is unclear how long we will still be stuck at home, but these technology companies seem to be betting that even if the pandemic ends, our habits will not change entirely.

.Source