Fusion Worldwide attended the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES is a prominent stage for traditional and non-traditional tech companies to unveil the latest innovations in consumer electronics.

Attendees include manufacturers, developers, and suppliers of consumer hardware, content, technology delivery systems, and more. As our team connected with new and existing customers during the event, we learned about the interesting technologies that are anticipated to make waves in 2024.

Here they are: 

• The Future of AI is Moving to the Edge 
• The Power of Immersive Technology 
• IoT Revolutionizes Home Automation 
• ADAS Takes the Wheel for the Automotive Industry 
• Reimagining the Patient Journey by Improving Healthcare Accessibility  

The Future of AI is Moving to the Edge 

CES attracts various electronic component supply chain businesses and represents a truly global view into the manufacturers and companies behind the applications that power innovation in the tech industry. While 'All On' was the theme of CES this year to encompass all technologies showcased at the event, artificial intelligence stole the show.  

Edge AI was a hot topic this year thanks to its ability to bridge the gap between traditional cloud AI and the real world, effectively extending digital transformation practices that connect people and technology. Semiconductor companies like Analog Devices, Infineon, NXP, and Qualcomm have already identified edge AI as the next frontier and are actively working on deploying their applications. Some benefits of edge AI are higher speeds, lower bandwidth requirements and costs, improved security, and more efficient power consumption. 

In addition, AI has also come a long way in terms of safety applications. Whether vehicle features that watch the driver to see if they're falling asleep or advanced security cameras that detect threats faster than the human eye, CES showed that artificial intelligence may redefine how we think about safety and technology. 

The Power of Immersive Technology 

The latest and greatest monitors always make a splash at CES, especially since they interest consumer and gaming industries alike. Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) monitors and audio sound were the focus of both industries. Samsung and LG debuted transparent TVs, with LG's product boasting a 77-inch OLED display while Samsung demonstrated its Micro LED displays. While these may be the future of screens, cost constraints for the near future will likely delay these products from becoming more mainstream. 

However, the innovations on display at CES were broad and varied this year. A persistent topic was immersive technology, as AR and VR glasses were available for visitors to test. Voy Glasses showed off VR headsets with adjustable lenses, enabling users who wear glasses to enjoy the VR experience fully. Some VR products even overlayed virtual reality on top of actual reality, effectively melding the virtual world with the real world. 

IoT Revolutionizes Home Automation

Smart home devices were also a significant point of discussion as the technology progresses to create streamlined designs that effortlessly adapt to the home. The Internet of Things (IoT) acts as the central nervous system of a home, connecting everything through cloud-based computing or internet-connected applications. While the IoT use cases on display at CES were for practical applications, like home security systems, temperature control, and lighting, there were also some fun examples of the technology, like robot dogs. As smart home tech continues to develop, innovations like these will be key to making these applications more of a mainstream reality. 

With more interconnected technology making its way into the home, the emerging concern is maintaining a suitable power source. The company EcoFlow showcased a solution to this problem with its hybrid, whole-house battery generator and backup system. 

ADAS Takes the Wheel for the Automotive Industry 

The development of technology in vehicles, both electric and “traditional,” shifts to meet the demand for advanced safety solutions and driver efficiencies. Companies are exploring ways to integrate AI into autonomous driving assistance systems (ADAS). 

Some of the main innovations highlighted at CES were:

• Lidar equipment for autonomous vehicles (AVs): Lidar, short for "light detection and ranging," is the next step in allowing Avs to 'see' and alert a driver to potential hazards.
• Next-generation steering systems: Hyundai exhibited its new e-Corner System, which enables the vehicle's wheels to rotate up to 90 degrees and "crab" drive sideways. The wheel movement enables parallel parking, additional parking options, and tight corner movement capabilities that are the first of its kind. 
• Human-like interfaces and software-defined vehicles: Customers hope to turn vehicles into smartphones, especially as they look to be entertained once cars can drive for them. Companies are actively working to develop technology that meets demand on both of these fronts. 

Reimagining the Patient Journey by Improving Healthcare Accessibility  

For the healthcare industry, the spotlight was on accessibility. 

• Dexcom's Stelo CGM, a new type 2 diabetes monitor, promises a more affordable option for patients who don't use insulin.  
• Wearable wellness tools were demonstrated, such as the Evie Ring, which offers a personalized app tailored to women's health concerns. 

Exhibits revealed more connected healthcare options, next-gen diagnostics, and implant devices that were less invasive and capable of aiding diagnostics. This included a new concussion test, which enables doctors to diagnose concussions via biomarkers in your blood instead of subjective questions and observations. 

Interconnected healthcare alternatives are becoming increasingly popular as companies pivot the patient journey away from traditional doctors' offices. One such application is at-home patient monitoring. This includes general home monitoring but also extends to at-home dialysis and the ability to remotely check vital signs – reducing the need for extensive hospital stays or hiring at-home care. 

All In and All On  

CES is known for its impressive technological displays, but it's also a place for attendees and exhibitors to discuss business challenges and strategies to navigate the current supply and demand landscape. Commodity managers (CMs) across the exhibition floor shared similar stories, saying that it has been an unprecedented time for the supply chain since the onset of 2020. This was only further emphasized by the post-COVID shortages in 2021 stretching into 2022. 

These CMs indicated that 2023 was the turning point as the days of shortages lessened. While demand has fluctuated in the consumer industry, innovation has stayed steady as companies have pushed themselves to create products that improve everyday life. As AI, ADAS, and immersive technology become mainstream, one thing is certain: this technology will heavily rely on semiconductors and electronic component hardware to take it from the showroom floor to the consumer. 

As these products move from development to manufacturing, strategic sourcing will be integral for every stage of the process. Building partnerships with distributors with a pulse on industry trends is essential to navigate the ebb and flow of the market.