Stefan Vitzithum, COO Brodos AG

The technology branch presented itself again at the CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas from the 6th until the 9th of January 2016, showcasing the latest trends, innovations and gadgets. Alongside the IFA, it is one of the most important exhibitions for the consumer electronics market. There were approximately 20,000 new products to marvel at this year. We were of course in the midst of it all, taking the chance to prepare for the latest trends in the branch.

TECHNOLOGY KNOWS NO BOUNDS

Drones, wearables, gadgets, robots and virtual reality - these were the predominant topics at the leading electronics fair. Drones in particular were everywhere you looked. Countless manufacturers were there, presenting their models to the specialist audience. If you look at how they are used, today they are an innovation, but in three years they will be standard.

Click here for the most interesting developments concerning drones.

The world of drones could be admired at the CES. (image ©Maurizio Pesce/flickr.com)

Wearables were another very popular topic again this year: As well as smart watches and wristbands, connected sports clothing was also on display, including t-shirts with sensors for measuring breathing and heart rate or socks monitoring the rolling movement of the foot whilst jogging. Another highlight was cycling jackets fitted out with smart LED lights. For the general public, this was very impressive.

Click here to see more about wearables.

Wearables in all shapes and sizes as far as the eye can see. (image ©Maurizio Pesce/flickr.com)

MARKETABLE PRODUCTS - FEW HIGHLIGHTS 

Smart home has been in discussion for some time now, and a number of new technologies were unveiled at the CES, such as cameras combining sensors for movement, temperature and humidity in one device. All in all, there were once more a lot of individual and when seen separately good solutions, but no platform bringing them all together.

Here you can find a link to new gadges relating to the smart home.

One topic which was certainly fascinating was virtual reality, which definitely has a future and which already offers a number of useful applications. One idea introduced for the consumer market was, for example, the option of recording 360 degree pictures with your smartphone, which can then be viewed using VR glasses. Virtual reality is also set to be a major topic on the games market, making it possible to plunge into other worlds.

At the CES, visitors could experience the latest virtual reality products at first hand. Photo: CES.

The most exciting innovations from the area of virtual reality can be found here.

The leading trade fair for electronics in Nevada attracts the crowds. Photo: CES

Another large area of the CES was devoted to robots. Sensor technology will definitely develop further in this area. Robot 4.0 is set to become a fixed component of our daily working life in the near future.

The topic of robots was not neglected at the CES. Photo: CES

Here is a short impression of the world of robots.

Even the automobile industry has in the meantime secured a place for itself at the CES, with very convincing intelligent mobility. In the future, it will be more and more important for you to be able to connect your own car to your smart phone or tablet. Driverless cars, steered automatically using IT, have been more than just a vision for the future for a long time now, and are attracting ever more attention.

More can be seen here.

More new innovations can be found in the area of 3D printers. These can now print with plastic, resin, in colour and even with paper. Smartwatches, however, took more of a backseat this time. There was not much new to report. There were only one or two models worth noting in the fitness area.

The cars of the future were presented at the CES. Photo: CES

My conclusions about the CES: I noticed that this year while there was not any real highlight as such, the products are becoming more and more marketable.

Here is a video of the highlights of the CES 2016: