AgeTech at CES 2022
** 2023 update** this article is about CES 2022, for the article about CES 2023, go here.
The annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that convenes every year in Las Vegas showcases some of the best technology tech companies around the world have to offer, and gives us a glimpse into the future when big tech companies share with us their vision for the next few years. This year, because of yet another surge of covid-19, many exhibitors pulled out of the in-person event at the last minute, and opted to have virtual events instead.
AgeTech has been gaining more and more visibility at CES over the past few years, thanks to many companies presenting and winning innovation awards, the AARP innovation labs’ booth (which was virtual this year) and the CTA’s annual pitch event + accessibility awards
So what are the most notable agetech products that were presented this year?
New and Noteworthy
Labrador systems presented their service robot, Retriever, which was designed to people who require assistance with carrying (and retrieving) objects around the home. It can carry items weighing up to 25 pounds and is expected to be commercially available in 2023.
Kinoo created an intergenerational gaming/ video chat platform designed to foster connections between grandparents and grandchildren using their tablets or smartphones while utilizing artificial intelligence and augmented reality.
Product Launches and Feature Announcements
Independa™ and LG announced the launch the Independa Health Hub™ – a telehealth offering that’s integrated into LG TVs. Helping viewers benefit from a wide range of centralized services, all from the comfort of their large, familiar TV screen. Read more about this interesting partnership.
Those of you who have been following AgeTech at CES for the past few years have come to expect new feature announcements from CarePredict every year, and 2022 would not be the year in which you’ll be disappointed! This year, the company has launched CareVoice, which allows family caregivers to send voice reminders to their loved one’s Tempo wristband
Last but not least, Caregiver Smart Solutions has introduced the Aging in Place Core Kit at CES’ Eureka Park. The kit, which uses smart sensor technology, the power of Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence, is meant to ease the burden on caregivers around the world. Tiny, non-intrusive sensors track the habits, movement, and patterns to provide family members with reassurance that things are as they should be.
Big Plans from Big Tech
This year, Hyundai has made 3 very interesting announcements that could be useful to many, including older adults. The first is “mobility platform” MobEd, which looks like an industrial dolly and according to the company’s press release, “can be used as a mobility device for the elderly or the disabled when the platform is sufficiently increased for people to mount it”.
More interestingly, the company has announced plans to create wearable robots or exoskeletons, which could be used to help people with disabilities be independent, or help caregivers caring for people with disabilities avoid injuries
Fast forward to minute 3:41 in the above video, to get a glimpse of Hyundai’s plans to work on “meta mobility” – connecting robots to the meta verse, essentially giving humans the ability to be in two places at the same time.
Matter – the New Standard for Smart Homes
Anyone who has ever tried to “smarten-up” their home knows you can’t just get any smart device and expect it to work with any voice assistant out of the box. Some devices only work with specific voice assistants, while others require a dedicated app or Alexa skill to control. This would either force you to control all of your smart things with your smartphone, or to chose your preferred walled garden – usually controlled by Amazon or Google.
The Matter standard which was established more than two years ago, is the connectivity standard we’ve all been waiting for. According to The Verge, “The main promise of Matter has been cross-platform compatibility, that you will be able to control your smart devices with the app or voice assistant of your choice… close to 30 companies showcased their involvement and / or pledged their support for the new smart home standard backed by Apple, Google, Amazon, Samsung, and others.”
While some of the more futuristic plans announced at CES 2022 may seem unlikely today, if there’s anything to be learned from past CES events, it’s that no announcement can be counted out as science fiction. For more agetech at CES 2022, check out Laurie Orlov’s excellent review. What are some of your key takeaways from this year’s CES?
