DIpil Das
The Coresight Research team attended CES (formerly the Consumer Electronics Show), hosted by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) in Las Vegas from January 5 to 7, 2022.
CES 2022 involved an exclusive exhibit that saw more than 120 innovative startups display their technologies and solutions: The Pepcom Digital Experience! was held on January 4 and hosted by media events firm Pepcom. In this report, we present 10 innovative technology startups that showcased at the exhibit.
Aura Air (left) and Aura Air Mini (right)
Source: Company website [/caption] 2. DeepBrain AI Even before CES, deep-learning technology provider DeepBrain AI had already created a buzz in its home country, South Korea, when Yoon Suk-yeol, the presidential frontrunner, used a virtual image of himself created by the startup’s AI Human solution for the launching ceremony of his campaign in December 2021. DeepBrain AI uses deep-learning-based synthesis to enhance and “humanize” customer engagement, and its “AI Banker” product is widely used by financial institutions in South Korea. In October 2021, the firm was commissioned by a private tutoring service in the country to launch an AI-based digital education platform called Aicando. [caption id="attachment_139340" align="aligncenter" width="700"]
The AI Human solution by DeepBrain AI
Source: Company website [/caption] 3. GAF Energy GAF Energy, a Standard Industries startup based in California, US, unveiled its new Timberline Solar roofing system at the Pepcom event. The new product incorporates solar technology into standard roofing materials and procedures. Its malleability allows Timberline Solar to install like a regular roof with simple tools such as a regular nail gun: The company describes it as “the world’s first nailable solar shingle.” The product is weatherproof and UL 7103 certified, which authorizes GAF Energy to install the system on residential roofs as a roofing and a solar energy product—making it the first of its kind to be recognized as both. [caption id="attachment_139341" align="aligncenter" width="700"]
The Timberline Solar roofing system by GAF Energy
Source: Company website [/caption] 4. Labrador Systems US-based assistive robot manufacturer Labrador Systems introduced the Retriever, a self-driving robot for the home. The device uses a propriety navigation system that fuses algorithms from AR to create 3D maps of the home. The robot can handle a payload of up to 25 pounds while navigating the tight spaces of a home, according to the company. The Retriever can park itself and adjust its height to serve users within comfortable reach. The robot can be operated via a voice-enabled device, a smartphone or tablet (using Labrador’s app), a Bluetooth wireless button (available as an accessory), or it can be set up with a pre-set schedule. [caption id="attachment_139342" align="aligncenter" width="628"]
The Labrador Systems Retriever assistive robot
Source: Company website [/caption] 5. Piana Technology Piana Technology is based in Georgia, US, but evolved from a family textile mill formed in 1582 in Biella, Italy. The firm unveiled its E/Smart Fiber product lineup of high-performance, nonwoven-fiber technology. Recyclable and nontoxic fibers are vertically lapped to evenly distribute pressure points and airflows. Its relatively light weight does not undermine compressional and thermal resistance. E/Smart is made from recycled materials and is aimed at supplanting polyurethane, a plastic material that is commonly used in mattresses and other furniture. Piana Technology said that the replacement of the 1.3 million metric tons of annually landfilled polyurethane with E/Smart would eliminate 4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide each year. 6. Popl In November 2021, Popl, a technology startup based in Los Angeles, California, US, launched its latest digital business-card platform for Apple and Android devices. The platform, which was showcased at CES 2022, uses NFC (near-field communication technology) to enable users to share information at the tap of a small Popl device attached to the back of their smartphone. The latest version features an AI-powered business-card scanner to instantly convert paper cards into digital scanners. The app can also create printable QR codes. 7. Spooky Action Focusing on increasing connectivity, Minnesota, US-based drone startup Spooky Action offers a fleet of flying cell towers. Dragonfly, unveiled in June 2021, allows first responders to establish connectivity in a disaster zone, providing Verizon network connectivity with satellite-based backhaul via a portable data network. Dragonfly is a hardened version of the Spooky Action Telelift drone-based cell tower. The firm also offers Superfly, a public safety drone for law enforcement agencies. [caption id="attachment_139343" align="aligncenter" width="700"]
Spooky Action’s Telelift drone-based cell tower
Source: Company website [/caption] 8. Stagwell Stagwell, a marketing and communications group based in New York, unveiled ARound, an AR reality platform for retailers and venues. ARound creates AR attractions for live events, bringing audiences together at scale where they can interact and socialize in virtual ways. Retail consumers can benefit from a more connected, immersive experience that enhances brand engagement. The platform is built upon locations-based AR, or a complex set of spatial computations. According to Stagwell, ARound is currently being tested by retailer H&M as well as a Major League Baseball franchise. 9. Wagz Wagz, based in New Hampshire, US, debuted Wagz Tagz, a device that keeps dogs away from designated zones in the home (that may be dangerous, for example). The solution works with the Wagz Freedom Smart Dog Collar and enables the user to geofence zones by placing a Wagz Tagz device in each such area. If the dog breaches one of these zones, the collar sets off a shock-free correction—a combination of vibration, audible cues and ultrasonic sound. The correction helps keep canines away from areas where they should not be—and users can get a notification on their smartphones when a correction is triggered. 10. Xandar Kardian Xandar Kardian, a Toronto, Canada-based radar technology firm, showcased its XK300 Autonomous Health Monitoring Solution. Xandar describes the solution as “the world’s first commercially deployed, non-contact, continuous and completely autonomous health monitoring system.” It uses radar technology to detect micro-vibrational frequency patterns emitted by the body and continuously tracks changes in heart rate and respiratory rate based upon physician discretion and patient preconditions. Once these thresholds are engaged, the system can alert medical staff via not only integrated nurse-call systems but also mobile applications and dashboard push alerts. With FDA 501(k) clearance, the deployment and maintenance of the system can be paid for by Medicare.
CES 2022 Pepcom Digital Experience!: Coresight Research Insights
The startups featured in this report center on the following themes:- Mobility—The solutions are either mobile or enhance user mobility.
- Connectivity—The solutions are almost invariably contingent upon 5G connectivity or are aimed at enhancing it.
- Healthcare—Healthcare and safety are top priorities to cater to pandemic-impacted consumer needs.
- Sustainability—Climate change and shifting consumer demand has seen sustainability emerge as a key theme.
- The Aura Air is an air-quality detector and a purifier. It cleanses and disinfects air in four different stages, simultaneously monitoring air quality. The device can be affixed to a wall.
- The Aura Air Mini device is small (4.5 inches in height), designed for personal and portable use. It uses ionization to clean and purify the air.
Aura Air (left) and Aura Air Mini (right) Source: Company website [/caption] 2. DeepBrain AI Even before CES, deep-learning technology provider DeepBrain AI had already created a buzz in its home country, South Korea, when Yoon Suk-yeol, the presidential frontrunner, used a virtual image of himself created by the startup’s AI Human solution for the launching ceremony of his campaign in December 2021. DeepBrain AI uses deep-learning-based synthesis to enhance and “humanize” customer engagement, and its “AI Banker” product is widely used by financial institutions in South Korea. In October 2021, the firm was commissioned by a private tutoring service in the country to launch an AI-based digital education platform called Aicando. [caption id="attachment_139340" align="aligncenter" width="700"]
The AI Human solution by DeepBrain AI Source: Company website [/caption] 3. GAF Energy GAF Energy, a Standard Industries startup based in California, US, unveiled its new Timberline Solar roofing system at the Pepcom event. The new product incorporates solar technology into standard roofing materials and procedures. Its malleability allows Timberline Solar to install like a regular roof with simple tools such as a regular nail gun: The company describes it as “the world’s first nailable solar shingle.” The product is weatherproof and UL 7103 certified, which authorizes GAF Energy to install the system on residential roofs as a roofing and a solar energy product—making it the first of its kind to be recognized as both. [caption id="attachment_139341" align="aligncenter" width="700"]
The Timberline Solar roofing system by GAF Energy Source: Company website [/caption] 4. Labrador Systems US-based assistive robot manufacturer Labrador Systems introduced the Retriever, a self-driving robot for the home. The device uses a propriety navigation system that fuses algorithms from AR to create 3D maps of the home. The robot can handle a payload of up to 25 pounds while navigating the tight spaces of a home, according to the company. The Retriever can park itself and adjust its height to serve users within comfortable reach. The robot can be operated via a voice-enabled device, a smartphone or tablet (using Labrador’s app), a Bluetooth wireless button (available as an accessory), or it can be set up with a pre-set schedule. [caption id="attachment_139342" align="aligncenter" width="628"]
The Labrador Systems Retriever assistive robot Source: Company website [/caption] 5. Piana Technology Piana Technology is based in Georgia, US, but evolved from a family textile mill formed in 1582 in Biella, Italy. The firm unveiled its E/Smart Fiber product lineup of high-performance, nonwoven-fiber technology. Recyclable and nontoxic fibers are vertically lapped to evenly distribute pressure points and airflows. Its relatively light weight does not undermine compressional and thermal resistance. E/Smart is made from recycled materials and is aimed at supplanting polyurethane, a plastic material that is commonly used in mattresses and other furniture. Piana Technology said that the replacement of the 1.3 million metric tons of annually landfilled polyurethane with E/Smart would eliminate 4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide each year. 6. Popl In November 2021, Popl, a technology startup based in Los Angeles, California, US, launched its latest digital business-card platform for Apple and Android devices. The platform, which was showcased at CES 2022, uses NFC (near-field communication technology) to enable users to share information at the tap of a small Popl device attached to the back of their smartphone. The latest version features an AI-powered business-card scanner to instantly convert paper cards into digital scanners. The app can also create printable QR codes. 7. Spooky Action Focusing on increasing connectivity, Minnesota, US-based drone startup Spooky Action offers a fleet of flying cell towers. Dragonfly, unveiled in June 2021, allows first responders to establish connectivity in a disaster zone, providing Verizon network connectivity with satellite-based backhaul via a portable data network. Dragonfly is a hardened version of the Spooky Action Telelift drone-based cell tower. The firm also offers Superfly, a public safety drone for law enforcement agencies. [caption id="attachment_139343" align="aligncenter" width="700"]
Spooky Action’s Telelift drone-based cell tower Source: Company website [/caption] 8. Stagwell Stagwell, a marketing and communications group based in New York, unveiled ARound, an AR reality platform for retailers and venues. ARound creates AR attractions for live events, bringing audiences together at scale where they can interact and socialize in virtual ways. Retail consumers can benefit from a more connected, immersive experience that enhances brand engagement. The platform is built upon locations-based AR, or a complex set of spatial computations. According to Stagwell, ARound is currently being tested by retailer H&M as well as a Major League Baseball franchise. 9. Wagz Wagz, based in New Hampshire, US, debuted Wagz Tagz, a device that keeps dogs away from designated zones in the home (that may be dangerous, for example). The solution works with the Wagz Freedom Smart Dog Collar and enables the user to geofence zones by placing a Wagz Tagz device in each such area. If the dog breaches one of these zones, the collar sets off a shock-free correction—a combination of vibration, audible cues and ultrasonic sound. The correction helps keep canines away from areas where they should not be—and users can get a notification on their smartphones when a correction is triggered. 10. Xandar Kardian Xandar Kardian, a Toronto, Canada-based radar technology firm, showcased its XK300 Autonomous Health Monitoring Solution. Xandar describes the solution as “the world’s first commercially deployed, non-contact, continuous and completely autonomous health monitoring system.” It uses radar technology to detect micro-vibrational frequency patterns emitted by the body and continuously tracks changes in heart rate and respiratory rate based upon physician discretion and patient preconditions. Once these thresholds are engaged, the system can alert medical staff via not only integrated nurse-call systems but also mobile applications and dashboard push alerts. With FDA 501(k) clearance, the deployment and maintenance of the system can be paid for by Medicare.