The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is a global technology event that takes place annually in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is one of the largest events in the consumer technology industry and provides a platform for companies to showcase their latest products and innovations. Charlton Group attends every year, and this year was the best one yet. Why, you ask? We interviewed some team members who attended, and they shared some of their favorite moments, and favorite technology, at CES 2023.

First, if you haven’t attended CES before, let’s start with why YOU should be attending CES:

1. You get exposure to new technologies, and an understanding of where the money is being spent. This can be extremely helpful for matching clients with customers.
2. Staying at the forefront of technology and innovation. Attending the show gives you valuable insights into the latest trends, products, and developments in the technology industry (which now touches every industry).
3. Attendees have the opportunity to meet with leading technology companies, startups, and industry experts, and to form partnerships and collaborations that can drive business forward, which is invaluable.
4. You get to see the integration and overlap of so many technologies coming together. The fusion of many different solutions to address common problems across automotive, and transportation in general.
5. Innovation often spurs further innovation.  CES is the perfect venue to create, learn, and share innovative product designs and services.

WHAT WE LEARNED

CES takes place at the beginning of the year, this year it was January 5^th through the 8^th. Kevin Fromm, Vice President of Europe Division at Charlton Group, said “There was a lot of next-gen technology around health tracking, with many solutions allowing for a better understanding of your day-to-day health, there are indicators when your bio rhythm starts to shift.” Demetris Agrotis, Sales Director for Charlton Group, said “Something that stood out was the increased use of AI in everything and the realization that we will never reach real L4/5 autonomy unless V2I is extensively deployed.” Brett Watson, Sales Director for Software and EV at Charlton Group, said, “I learned a lot about the advancements in Virtual Reality, and that Virtual Reality (VR) devices are being used to train employees in a number of ways”. Examples include:

1. Assembly Line Training: VR devices can be used to simulate the assembly line, allowing employees to practice and perfect their techniques for building and installing parts on vehicles.
2. Technical Training: VR devices can be used to demonstrate and teach complex automotive systems, such as engine management systems, transmissions, and suspension systems, allowing employees to gain a deeper understanding of these systems.
3. Safety Training: VR devices can be used to simulate hazardous situations, such as a vehicle fire or an oil spill, allowing employees to practice their emergency response procedures and refine their safety skills.
4. Customer Service Training: VR devices can be used to simulate interactions with customers, allowing employees to practice their customer service skills and learn how to handle challenging situations.
5. Sales Training: VR devices can be used to simulate sales scenarios, allowing employees to practice their sales techniques and gain confidence in their ability to sell vehicles.

Overall, VR devices have the potential to greatly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of training by providing interactive and immersive learning experiences that enhance retention and skill development.

OUR FAVORITE TECHNOLOGIES

Some of their favorite technologies at CES 2023 came from some of our very own partners and clients. Several suppliers in the autonomous space had some really great technology displays. They showcased Long range lidar, ToF technology with more than a dozen confirmed production applications with engagement in auto, truck, construction, aeronautical and more. Kevin Fromm said, “They stand apart from the rest of the Lidar community that seems to be in survival mode, as many are starting to run out of cash. We are also working with low speed autonomous control, with a unique proven software solution that allows for exceptional control at low speeds”.

Exro Technologies has participated in several CES events in the past and used it as a platform to showcase its cutting-edge technology in the field of power electronics. The company's participation in CES highlights its commitment to advancing the technology and making a positive impact on the industry. By showcasing its technology at CES, Exro Technologies has been able to increase its visibility, reach a wider audience, and establish itself as a leader in the field of advanced power electronics.

Intellias is a technology company that provides IT services and custom software development solutions to clients in various industries. They showcased their custom software development: Intellias helps clients develop custom software solutions to meet their specific business needs, using cutting-edge technologies and agile development methodologies. They provide geospatial data management, mapping, and visualization solutions for clients in industries such as transportation, retail, and real estate. Intellias helps clients implement AI and machine learning solutions to improve their business processes and gain insights from their data. They shine in providing software development services for the automotive industry, including connected vehicle solutions, telematics, and infotainment systems.

LumenFlow is tackling the challenging arena of optics, with a special focus on automotive-grade silicone optics.  The world of automotive lighting is bursting with opportunities.  From challenging backlighting to image projectors, to forward-facing headlights, modern LEDs are driving the need for alternative light piping materials.  Silicone’s optical characteristics, manufacturability (complex shapes and designs), and heat resistance make it an ideal material for most applications in the vehicle.

Unikie promoted their Smart Space Technology and their connectivity services. The automotive industry is focusing, and currently relying on, sensors like cameras, Lidar and Radar to “see” the road environment and using this data through AI software manages the braking throttle and steering of vehicles. Thus demonstrating autonomous vehicle behavior. Unfortunately, this configuration has limitations as the AI model cannot be trained in all scenarios and environmental conditions. The Unikie Smart Space provides the autonomous vehicle with additional; information that enables the safe operation of the autonomous vehicle at all times and under all environmental conditions.

OUR FAVORITE MOMENTS

Tom Beshke, Technical Sales Manager at Charlton Group, said that after attending CES in 2021 (first post-COVID CES), participation was significantly down over years past.  In the post-COVID era, many people still work from home.  While video conferences make meetings a little more personal, nothing beats live, in-person meetings.  Beshke said, “CES 2023 saw a substantial increase in attendance from the year prior and it was great to interact with so many of the participants.”

Brett Watson said, “The excitement surrounding the connected vehicle is a topic of much discourse in the automotive industry, as it signifies a paradigm shift towards a more interconnected and automated driving experience.” The enthusiasm generated by connected vehicles stems from the numerous advantages they afford, including increased safety, improved mobility, and augmented convenience.  These vehicles leverage wireless communication technology, such as Wi-Fi and cellular networks, to facilitate the exchange of information with other vehicles, infrastructure, and cloud-based systems. This capability enables vehicles to receive real-time data regarding traffic conditions, road closures, and other potential risks, thereby enhancing the driving experience through increased safety and efficiency.  Moreover, the connectivity of vehicles affords new avenues for the development of innovative services and applications, such as in-car entertainment and communication, remote diagnostics, and predictive maintenance. Brett said, “The ability of vehicles to communicate with one another, and their surroundings, and their users, will play a vital role in defining the future of the driving experience, and this is what keeps me excited about the future of our industry.”

For Kevin Fromm, there wasn’t one individual favorite moment, it was more of a general feeling of success being able to meet with so many people. For Demetris Agrotis, his favorite moment was talking to Mr. Georges Massing, and exploring his vision for the future of autonomy. Demetris said that “Mr. Massing clearly realizes the limited capabilities of autonomous vehicles, and also believes that this additional layer of information coming from the Infrastructure (Smart space, V2I – Vehicle to Infrastructure communication) is what is needed to allow for full autonomy that is safe and operational under all environmental conditions.” Mr. Massing is responsible for the autonomous driving deployment and strategy for Mercedes Benz.