CES 2023: Connecting With – and Connected To – Our Daily Lives

I had the privilege of attending CES 2023 in early January with the Vodafone team, watching up close as more than 115,000 attendees and 3,200 exhibitors from all over the world come together for a global showcase of the latest and greatest in technology, from color-changing cars to a locker capable of deodorizing smelly gym items.

Yet what struck me most was the continued trend of connectivity, putting great technology power and innovation at our fingertips to make our daily lives simpler and more convenient.

Companies introduced new products, solutions, and services that rely on cellular networks to function – connected appliances in our homes, cars on our roads, services for healthcare and healthier living, and AI and robotics to speed productivity and efficiency. Meanwhile, vendors and solution integrators unveiled new devices and infrastructure solutions taking advantage of the faster speeds, more reliable connectivity, and low latency supported by LPWAN, LTE, and 5G.

This emphasis on a more connected world shone brightly at CES. Here are four of the more interesting examples I spotted during the show:

• Electric Vehicles (EV) and driver experience – Electric vehicles are now a mainstay at CES, which was certainly the case this year. What was exciting at this year's CES was seeing how the world of EVs continues to evolve to include driver experience – new models of vehicles and innovations that rely on cellular networks for connectivity and communication. For example, BMW showed off its i Vision Dee concept car model, featuring a full-windshield heads-up AR display with varying levels of information and immersion, from normal speed and performance monitoring to a completely virtual environment when the car is in self-driving mode – all powered by connected technology.
• E-Health – While many of us are no strangers to telehealth, video doctor consults, and the like (thanks to the pandemic), CES highlighted innovations in remote healthcare that could soon become of our daily lives. IoT and connected networks are the backbone, making it easier for us to get proper medical and wellness attention the moment we need it. Additionally, new connected technologies are helping with preventative care products and services. An example is the Withings Toilet Sensor – a connected sensor that collects and analyzes urine, monitoring for vitamin C levels or daily ketones as indicators of kidney health, then sends the results to your phone via Wi-Fi.
• AI & Robotics – Human error is unavoidable and a factor in every facet of our lives. Yet with the rapid advances in AI & robotics, we can reduce its impact across our entire world, from manufacturing to medicine to transportation, delivering 24/7 availability of data and services, zero risks for safety, and other benefits… and in unexpected places. One such example was the Ella Smart Stroller. This sensor-laden baby stroller uses AI and motors to help parents navigate obstacles and can drive itself when empty, allowing parents to hold their child and not have to push it simultaneously.
• Sustainability – An essential part of our daily lives, sustainability is now becoming a central part of the launch of almost every consumer product, from solar and wind-powered home generators to the Department of Energy's first-ever booth on the CES show floor. Sustainability aims to meet this generation's energy needs without impacting future generations. IoT's ability to provide real-time feedback on remote performance or system functionality for vehicles, manufacturing plants and home generators optimizes energy consumption while protecting natural resources today and into the future.

As we near the end of January, I am excited to see these and other innovations from CES 2023 make their emergence in society, the workplace, and our personal lives. Together, they illustrate the vital role that cellular connectivity plays in enabling a wide range of innovative technologies and solutions – all interacting with one another and our world to enrich our daily lives.