The Future is Now: Cutting-Edge Tech from CES 2023
CES, the annual Consumer Electronics Show, is a window into the future of technology. At CES 2023, we saw a range of exciting new products and concepts that could shape our lives in the coming years. From innovative solar panels to haptic feedback in VR, here are some of the most interesting things we discovered.
Solar Power Goes Mainstream
One of the most promising technologies we saw was Powerfoyle, a light, flexible solar panel from Exeger that is efficient enough to work indoors or outdoors and powerful enough to replace batteries in many devices. This technology is already being used in headphones, bike helmets, and even pet-tracking harnesses.
The implications are significant. Not only could this greatly reduce the inconvenience and environmental impact of disposable batteries, but it could also enable a new generation of self-powered devices. Imagine never having to charge your wireless earbuds or replace the batteries in your TV remote. That future may be closer than we think.
Mobility Reimagined
We also saw several companies rethinking the future of transportation. Hyundai’s e-Corner system, for example, puts the motor, suspension, and power steering for each wheel into a single modular unit. This allows for vehicle designs that were previously impossible and enables cars to move in more agile ways.
Meanwhile, LG’s concept car envisions a future where your vehicle is an extension of your home, complete with a coffee machine in the trunk. And Kia’s modular van system allows vehicles to be customized for specific work needs, which could be particularly valuable in an era of autonomous vehicles and reduced car ownership.
The Rise of Home Manufacturing
3D printing and CNC machining are becoming increasingly accessible for home use. Formlabs’ 3D printers can work with a wide range of materials, from super soft silicone to rigid ceramics, while Coast Runner’s desktop CNC machine can mill aluminum, steel, and even titanium.
As these technologies improve and become more user-friendly, they could enable a new wave of home-based innovation and customization. Imagine being able to print custom parts for your bike or mill a unique gift for a loved one, all from the comfort of your own home.
New Interfaces for a New Reality
With the rise of augmented and virtual reality, we’re going to need new ways to interact with digital content. Afference is developing haptic feedback technology that can directly stimulate the nervous system, allowing for more realistic tactile sensations in VR and AR.
Meanwhile, Ixana has created a way to transmit data between wearable devices using the human body itself as a connector, without the need for radio waves. This could enable a new generation of interconnected wearables that don’t interfere with each other or the increasingly crowded radio spectrum.
The Democratization of Innovation
Perhaps the most exciting trend we saw at CES was the sheer number of small startups and independent inventors bringing their creations to the world stage. Many of these innovators had developed their products in garages and university labs, and were showing them off to the public for the first time.
This democratization of innovation is a promising sign for the future. As more people have access to the tools and platforms they need to bring their ideas to life, we’re likely to see an explosion of creativity and problem-solving. The future isn’t just in the hands of big corporations — it’s being shaped by tinkerers, dreamers, and entrepreneurs all over the world.
TLDR: Key Insights and Mental Models
- Modularity: Several of the technologies we saw, from Hyundai’s e-Corner to Kia’s modular van, relied on modular design principles. By creating standardized, interchangeable components, these systems enable greater customization and adaptability.
- Prosumerization: Tools like desktop 3D printers and CNC machines are part of a larger trend of “prosumerization” — the blurring of the line between producers and consumers. As more people gain access to production technologies, innovation becomes more decentralized and democratized.
- Convergence: We’re seeing a convergence of different technology domains, such as solar power and consumer electronics or transportation and home appliances. This convergence is creating new opportunities and blurring traditional industry boundaries.
- Embodied Interaction: New interface technologies like haptic feedback and body-based data transmission reflect a shift towards more embodied forms of human-computer interaction. As digital content becomes more immersive and integrated with our physical reality, the way we interact with it will become more natural and intuitive.
- Sustainable Design: Several of the products we saw, from solar-powered devices to modular vehicles, reflected a growing emphasis on sustainable design principles. As environmental concerns mount, we can expect to see more technologies that prioritize energy efficiency, material conservation, and closed-loop systems.
The future is always uncertain, but the innovations we saw at CES 2023 give us a tantalizing glimpse of what’s possible. As these technologies mature and converge, they have the potential to reshape our daily lives in profound ways. The challenge now is to ensure that these innovations benefit everyone and that we steer their development in a direction that aligns with our values and aspirations. If we can do that, the future looks bright indeed.
