Some of the world’s biggest technology companies will gather in Las Vegas next week to unveil their latest innovations at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES).
The annual convention will see the likes of Sony, Samsung, LG and others announce new gadgets, while topics such as artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles and 5G connectivity are expected to be prominent at the event.
The four-day exhibition is a key date in the industry calendar and is set to be attended by more than 180 000 people, who will be able to glimpse the latest technology from more than 4 500 companies appearing at the conference.
Gadgets ranging from new televisions to drones, connected appliances and robots are all likely to feature heavily on the show floor.
Organisers will hope to avoid a repeat of 2018 when heavy rain in Las Vegas caused flooding, power cuts and leaks from the convention centre ceiling.
CES, which has run in different forms since 1967, has previously been the site for the introduction of notable technology including the DVD and HD television.
With the first 5G mobile networks scheduled to launch during 2019, 5G-compatible devices are widely predicted to be part of the announcements at CES, including the first smartphones designed for the faster speeds offered by the new mobile technology.
Google returns
Elsewhere, Google is returning for the second year in succession, with the company expected to push its AI-powered Google Assistant and a range of smart speakers.
Rival software such as Amazon’s Alexa is also likely to be widely seen linked to new gadgets on display on the show floor.
Korean tech giant LG has already confirmed it will use the event to unveil what it calls the “future of the smart kitchen”, which includes Internet-connected ovens, refrigerators and dishwashers as well as a new AI-powered home beer-making system called the HomeBrew.
The show floor of the Las Vegas Convention Centre will also play host to the traditional influx of new virtual reality, robot and drone products, alongside a range of new concept cars from automotive firms, with car manufacturers becoming increasingly visible at the show as the latest technology becomes ever more integral to new vehicle launches.
The convention opens on Tuesday, 8 January.
