AI, 5G network key themes of CES 2019

Models pose at the entrance of Samsung Electronics' Consumer Electronics Show booth in Las Vegas, Monday. / Courtesy of Samsung Electronics

By Baek Byung-yeul

Logo for Consumer Electronics Show

LAS VEGAS ― Artificial intelligence (AI) and fifth-generation (5G) network technologies are some of the key themes dominating this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which kicks off Tuesday in Las Vegas, according to event organizers and industry officials Monday.

The CES is the world's largest electronics show, offering a chance to get an up-close look at emerging technologies. Scheduled to be held from Tuesday to Friday, the fair features 4,500 firms from 155 countries and is expected to draw over 180,000 visitors.

While the 2018 show put its focus on smart “cities” where smart devices, home appliances and vehicles are connected, this year's show will be about AI technology, which is incorporated in an increased number of devices, according to Ben Arnold, senior director of Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the host of the fair.

Also, the transition to 5G network is another key theme for the show as lower latency and faster data transmitting speeds enable firms to do much more things. Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg will deliver a keynote under the theme of “explore the future of connectivity through 5G.”

Models pose while promoting LG Electronics' OLED falls set up at the entrance of the firm's Consumer Electronics Show booth in Las Vegas, Monday. / Courtesy of LG Electronics

Korean firms are installing booths as well. Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics will show off their latest home appliances and software using AI technology. Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors, SK Group's three core affiliates ― SK hynix, SK Telecom and SK Innovation ― and internet firm Naver also take part in the show.

Samsung will showcase how the firm's AI and 5G technologies can bring changes in our everyday life with a theme of “Intelligence of Things for Everyone,”

With a concept of Samsung City, the firm said it has the largest booth among the participating firms, occupying an area of 3,368 square-meters.

Based on Samsung's AI platform Bixby and internet of things (IoT) technologies, Samsung devices, ranging from AI speaker Galaxy Home to refrigerators and in-vehicle infotainment systems, will be connected to offer a seamless experience to consumers,

“During the show, Samsung will showcase how we can provide tailored services to customers through our devices connected by AI technology. We will also promote AI technology as useful to their everyday lives,” a Samsung official said.

New 8K QLED TVs, micro LED TVs, washers, gaming monitors, an in-vehicle digital cockpit and Galaxy Home AI speaker will go public as well. Visitors to Galaxy Zone can experience Samsung's mobile devices such as Galaxy Note 9 and virtual reality gears.

It also displays its 5G network equipment and shares its vision of a smart city, smart farm and smart factory that will be available through 5G network services.

Samsung's home appliance rival, LG will focus on showcasing the AI and robot business.

Its Chief Technology Officer Park Il-pyung will spend some of his keynote talking about how LG's AI platform ThinQ can make impact on consumers' lives.

To take the leadership in the premium TV market, LG also came up with 8K OLED TV and 8K Super Ultra HD TV. Powered by Alpha9 Gen 2 AI processor, the 8K TVs supports an upscale feature that converts full HD or 4K contents to 8K contents.

LG, which has taken the robot business as its future growth engine, will display the latest version of its exoskeleton wearable suit CLOi Suitbot. As the firm has hyped up its plan to beef up automotive components business, it will also make space to showcase its in-vehicle infotainment system and OLED lamp along with its automotive light maker arm ZKW.

SK Group will focus on displaying its vehicle technologies. SK hynix will exhibit DRAM and NAND flash chips for vehicles while SK Innovation will introduce batteries for electric vehicles (EVs), an energy storage system (ESS) and lithium-ion battery separator (LiBS). SK Telecom displays technologies for self-driving such as single-photon light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology.

Hyundai Motor Group will announce its future mobility strategy during the show. With the rise of the connected car and self-driving technologies, it has been years that Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors and Hyundai Mobis have joined the show to share their vision and technology in next-generation cars.

Chung Eui-sun, executive vice chairman of Hyundai Motor Group joined the show for four straight years from 2015, but he won't take part this year, according to the firm.

Universities such as Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Hanyang University, Seoul National University of Science and Technology and Kyungpook National University will also make public their research projects at the fair.

KAIST said it will showcase 10 innovative technologies such as machine learning -based technology that coverts HD content to 4K resolution and AI-based conversation technology that can have a conversation with humans and react to the emotion of its conversation partner.