trends now

Tomorrow’s Technology—Today

Erinn Morgan

Inspired by technology? Get a sneak peek of what’s coming down the tech highway next year with a preview of the best and brightest products that will launch at the 2014 International CES trade show and event to be held January 7 to 10 in Las Vegas.

The CES is the meeting place for all who thrive on and work within the business of consumer technologies. Owned and produced by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the technology trade association representing the $203 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry, the CES has served as the proving ground for innovators and groundbreaking technologies for more than 40 years. It is the global stage where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace.

VISION & CES

Recognizing the importance of this show—and marketplace—to the optical industry, The Vision Council had a booth at CES in 2013 and will join the show again in 2014.

“In our work and personal lives, we find ourselves glued to technology—whether it be computers or smartphones,” says Maureen Beddis, vice president of marketing and communication for The Vision Council. “However, many people don’t realize the negative consequences we all face when we don’t give our eyes a break from our digital devices. The Vision Council is excited to be back at CES to educate the attendees about Digital Eye Strain—and the solutions available to enhance their vision.”

Best of the Best Web Exclusive! Hungry to see the most groundbreaking innovations for 2014 before they even hit the show floor at CES? This short hot list, culled from the recently announced 2014 International CES Best of Innovations Design and Engineering Award Honorees, should help sate your tech appetite. BEST OF INNOVATIONS: Accessible Technologies Tobii EyeMobile by Tobii Technology Tobii’s EyeMobile is a lightweight accessory that enables eye control capabilities on Windows 8 tablets. EyeMobile provides individuals with mobility challenges with a handsfree way to experience full tablet computer functionality. BEST OF INNOVATIONS: 3D Printing & Additive Manufacturing Form 1 by Formlabs A marriage of industrial design and technology, the Form 1 3D printer is the world’s first high-resolution, desktop stereolithographic printer. It’s designed to bring the gold standard in 3D printing technology to a much wider audience.

At the show, The Vision Council (TVC) offers education on digital eye strain at their booth and TVC experts and spokespeople participate in panel discussions. TVC also hosts educational meetings with attending reporters and bloggers. “We have handouts that we share, and we have computers and devices on hand to show the eye strains associated with overuse,” says Beddis. “We also show unique optical products donated by The Vision Council’s member companies.”

TRENDING NOW

What are the key new trends that will dominate at the 2014 CES? “Major trends we are expecting for 2014 include Ultra HDTV, wearable technology, 3D printing, electric and driverless cars, digital health and fitness, the Internet connecting to everything, plus motion and sensor technologies,” says Allie Fried, manager of international communications for the CEA.

Interestingly, Fried says she has seen more optical- or eyewear-related trends emerging from CES in recent years. Why? “First,” she says, “we are seeing an uptick in wearable tech—body sensors, mind- and gesture-controlled devices, personalized headsets, and the latest wrist-wear and eyewear.”

Second, she notes that people today are having more “human” interaction with their devices. “We will eventually use things like gesture recognition and eye tracking to interact more naturally,” she says.

Here, Fried dishes on the key trends that will be seen at 2014 CES.

■ Wearable technology is the wave of the future, says Fried, “as we’ve seen in prototypes like Google Glasses and Samsung Galaxy Gear.”

■ The digital health and fitness world is buzzing with workout gear that tracks body systems through watches, hats, or even shirts. “Under Armour has a whole new line coming out,” she says.

■ 3D printing has been around for a while, but the fact that it is now becoming available (and affordable) to the consumer is big news. “In fact, we have floored a brand new 3D printing TechZone and it has sold out three times as a result of exhibitor demand,” says Fried.

■ According to Fried, in terms of optical and eyewear-related trends, eye tracking technology has come on strong over the last few years. A leading company in this arena is Tobii. “With 3D printing, there is a big potential market here to print custom frames to fit faces perfectly,” says Fried. “There’s also buzz around the future of printing cornea replacements.” EB

BEST OF INNOVATIONS: Portable Power iNPOFi Foldable Mobile Wireless Charger by Kirk H&J Corporation This portable mobile wireless charger has a 5000mAh battery to keep devices powered wirelessly. This unique product is foldable and also functions as a 40 lumens LED flashlight when folded. It emits zero radiation and has more than 90 percent power transfer efficiency for fast charging. BEST OF INNOVATIONS: Wearable Technologies Instabeat by Instabeat Instabeat is the first waterproof heads-up monitor that tracks, stores, and displays instant color-coded feedback of the wearer’s heart rate on the lenses of swimming goggles’ he or she is wearing to optimize training and streamline performance. BEST OF INNOVATIONS: Health & Fitness Reebok CHECKLIGHT by Reebok and MC10 The Reebok CHECKLIGHT is a sports-impact indicator designed for athletes of all ages and skill levels. Multiple motion sensors embedded into a skullcap provide actionable impact data to help assess an athlete before he or she continues to play.