CES 2019 Recap: Making the tech that’s next, now
CES 2019 Recap: Making the tech that’s next, now
4 minutesAmid the autonomous driving advancements, the tech that delivers uniquely engaging experiences, the fake burgers and the far-reaching discussions about future cities, an important theme emerged at CES earlier this month. It centered on seamlessly integrating physical and digital worlds.
In the last century, people knew Panasonic as a company that created great experiences through physical products. Now we blend our hardware expertise with our innovations in software to bring together our physical and digital worlds—a concept AdAge characterized as an “innovation sure to stand out at CES.”
It is no surprise to anyone interested in CES that the consumer is in the driver’s seat. They are making decisions that impact what we do as an industry and a company. Technology is simply an enabler to get the consumer something they want.
What does today’s consumer want?
Consumers want solutions that are faster, safer, better and personalized. Panasonic meets these consumer expectations every day with our platforms, partnerships and through personalization.
For example, Panasonic and Harley-Davidson partnered to create the most connected motorcycle experience ever, and it’s electric. The new LiveWire electric motorcycle is the first in a full portfolio of future electric vehicles from Harley and the first cellular-connected mass market motorcycle in North America. It won a Best of CES Award from Electrek. Check out how Harley’s riding into the future.
The future of mobility
In U.S. metros from NYC to Portland to San Fran, more people are commuting on two-wheels than ever before, catching up with the way two-thirds of the world gets to work. Driving this change are cities themselves, which are investing in bike share programs, bike lanes and more pedestrian-friendly streets as part of initiatives to increase transportation options, enhance road safety and improve the environment. At the front of this two-wheeled revolution is the e-bike. Panasonic teamed up with Univega USA and the Van Dessel brands to launch new ebike models. The ebikes are powered by Panasonic batteries and motors. Bicycling magazine named Panasonic’s GXO e-Bike System as a “Best Cycling Tech from CES 2019.”
In a CES panel on the future of mobility, Panasonic Automotive Solutions innovation exec Andrew Poliak talked with aerospace engineer and ex-NASA leader Anita Sengupta, and Amish Parashar, a Yamaha Motor Ventures partner. Panel highlights touched on how millennials and ride share platforms are disrupting car-ownership and barriers to adoption of autonomous vehicles. They also talked about connected transportation programs. Panasonic developed the Cirrus by Panasonic software platform to allow Dept. of Transportation agencies to effectively deploy connected technologies at scale for all roadways throughout a state or region.
Using the system, roadway operators receive transportation data that can, for instance, help them know when to trigger deployment of snowplows during winter storms or optimize traffic flows in real time. “Having government leaders that can implement this infrastructure by partnering with private industry like they’ve done with us in Colorado allows us to work together on a commercial application of V2X,” Mr. Poliak said. Media site Techthelead predicted that the Cirrus by Panasonic initiative “may be the future of safer transportation.”
Is it live, or a Panasonic projection?
It’s all about making what’s next, now. Panasonic is embedding disruptive technologies – such as AI, Robotics and the Internet of Things – into integrated solutions to create exceptional experiences. Our entertainment solutions allow theme parks, entertainment venues, performing artists and global events like the Olympics to reimagine live experiences from start to finish to ensure audiences leave with lasting memories. At CES, we revealed a spectacular project with Disney.
Theme-park goers will be immersed in the magic of Mickey Mouse’s animated world via the new “Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway” at Disney’s Hollywood Studio in Orlando, slated to open later this year. Panasonic high brightness laser projectors will help transform a two-dimensional cartoon into an amazing, real-world experience.
See more ways we’re bringing together the digital and physical worlds.
