…during the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is always amazing.
BY THE EDITORS
As we enter a new decade and with the pace of new technology advances, we want to share some of our initial thoughts from last week’s convention as it relates to the design-build community. If you read our Technology Designer Magazine, you will understand that we rarely deep-dive into technology per se, but rather educate at a high level so all design-build team members have a working knowledge of the various tech that permeates today’s modern design.
So here are some brief thoughts from our team at CES – Douglas Weinstein, Steve Panosian, Stephanie Casimiro and George McClure – about what we saw that excited us, and on a personal level, what moved us.
women in consumer technology
Needless to say, women have been and continue to be underserved in the industry. There was quite a bit of buzz on social media regarding the appearance of Ivanka Trump on one of the keynote speaker stages. But there was also an incredible reception honoring the women who have achieved great things in the industry and who continue to inspire, motivate and mentor other women in the world of technology.
The Women in Consumer Technology organization honored six women for their achievement at a fantastic reception, with master of ceremony Bridget Karlin, Global Chief Technology Officer of IBM. Laura McNew, Vice President of Merchandising at Petra Industries, Petro Shimonishi, Director of Global Marketing at URC, Cindy Stevens, Senior Director of Publications for the Consumer Technology Association™, Christa Wittenberg, Director of Global Retail Sales for the AR/VR Division of Facebook, Woman to Watch Honoree: Danielle Karr, Architect & Designer Program Manager and Certified Showroom Program Specialist at Control4, and Carol Campbell Inspiration Award Honoree: Megan Pollock, Vice President, Strategic Communications of Samsung Electronics America were all honored at what has become one of the must-see events during CES Week.
transparent displays
Sharp Electronics was demonstrating their see-through displays and we saw others that we are not able to report on because the products are still some months from final production and we’re under NDAs.
The uses for this product are endless. Storefronts can amp up their displays by advertising sales or even showing celebrities using their products. Entry vestibules in homes can come alive like never before.
Here is how we would describe this technology: You have a sheet of glass that you can see through. However, you are able to also turn that transparent panel into a TV, or call up your Instagram account or show multiple images at the same time. It has unlimited potential for interior or exterior design. Check it out in the video below:
data collection and privacy
While this isn’t a design-build issue per se, it still impacts everyone reading this article. There were a lot of discussions on how data is collected utilizing technology at CES 2020. Specifically, consumers want to be notified when their data is collected, what the value exchange is, and can the consumer revoke this consent at any time. Consumers want transparency on how their data is collected and how it is used.
So we asked everyone we interviewed how they are addressing privacy issues and 90 percent of them said they were implementing privacy protocols this year. So let’s see how that all goes and we’ll continue to keep an eye on, and report on, how to protect your client’s privacy.
smart cities
At a very high level, cities are designing themselves to be their own micro-grids and micro-environments. From transportation to building design (energy efficiency) to open spaces, cities are replicating what is going on in individual neighborhoods and on down to individual residences.
So we’re excited to bring to you in the new decade reporting on how your designs and build-outs will be integrating into the cities of the future. From net zero energy management to resilient and sustainable building, it’s becoming ever more connected.
living in place
Beginning in our Spring 2020 issue we will be reporting on the Living in Place design community. ‘Hey Boomers’ are choosing to remain in their homes for as long as possible and there are many design aspects involved to make those homes livable for elderly residents.
Besides the obvious – reinforcing walls to accommodate railings – to the micro-level that include wearables so elderly people can notify their kids or medical provider in an emergency, there is a lot that goes into the design of Living in Place residences.
