By Baek Byung-yeul – The Korea Times
Web-enabled TVs, mobility technology, robots and fifth-generation (5G) network-backed services are among the key points for this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which will kick off in Las Vegas, Wednesday (KST), organizers and participating companies said.
The CES is still the world’s most influential technology exhibition, offering chances for industry officials to take a close look the latest trend in the global technology industry. This year’s show will feature 4,400 companies from all over the world and is expected to garner about 170,000 visitors from 160 countries.
Major heavyweights Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor, Qualcomm, Sony and Intel are set to unveil their new business strategies and what are believed to be stunning products, inviting global media and industry officials to their media event before the official launch date.
From South Korea’s standpoint, Samsung and LG, the two biggest domestic tech rivals, will compete for who has smarter TVs with better ultra-high resolution, to put an end to the ongoing debate over the definition of 8K TV.
The world’s No. 1 and No. 2 TV maker has been tit-for-tat over contrast modulation value as LG has claimed Samsung’s 8K TV has low contrast modulation value.
At the CES 2020, LG will introduce a new lineup for its 8K TV, which satisfies the 8K requirements of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the organizer of the tech fair. Samsung also earned a certification from the 8K Association to legitimize its standards for 8K resolution.
Both Samsung and LG said they have applied their advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and Internet of Things (IoT) to its appliances to better offer enhanced personalized services.
Robots are another key theme for the CES event. Among the Korean companies, Samsung will introduce new robots incorporating its new AI technology called NEON. The new robot is an expansion of its robot platform Samsung Bot, which was introduced at the 2019 event.
LG will also introduce its AI technology-featured robot products ranging from those for the business environment to home-help robots.
Samsung will promote its 5G technologies at the CES, featuring 5G network-enabled Galaxy phones and a 5G-based digital cockpit for future vehicles.
Visitors can also gain insight into how technology is shaping the mobility industry as many companies will try to make a splash with more advanced self-driving technologies.
Hyundai Mobis, a part affiliate of Hyundai Motor Group, will introduce its autonomous deriving-based mobility concept M.Vision S, an upgraded version of M.Vision, which was unveiled at last year’s event.
Hyundai Motor also said it will unveil its personal air vehicle as part of its future strategy to become a mobility solution provider.
Korean companies are actively joining the CES to showcase their cutting-edge technologies. According to Korea ICT Association, 390 companies will have booths, which is the third-largest following the U.S. that has 1,933 firms and China with 1,368.
Focusing on startups, 200 venture companies here will join the show, which is also third-largest following the U.S. with 343 and France with 240.
The KICTA said the number of Korean startups has increased by 77 percent compared to the 2019 event as government agencies such as the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy; the Ministry of SMEs and Startups; the Seoul Metropolitan City government and other organizations have actively supported them to promote their products and technologies.