CES 2021 is all about pandemic technology

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The robot, Samsung’s Bot Handy, is the company’s vision of “a better new normal” as more people work, cook, eat and drown in dishes from home than ever during the global pandemic. As seen in a video shown Monday at the fully virtual CES consumer technology show in 2021, Bot Handy is, well, handy around the house; not just to pick up some unfinished chores, but also to remind you of upcoming meetings and to stretch your legs if you’ve been sitting too long.

It’s still in development for now – no price or release date has been announced – but Samsung said it’s part of a bigger effort to make technology to make your home life easier. “The technologies in your home have to work harder to help you get used to this new normal,” the company said in its session description on the CES website.

Companies large and small showed their new innovations at the well-watched technical trade show, which opened Monday, many with characteristics related to life during the pandemic. There’s MaskFone, a face cover that’s being marketed with a built-in N95 filter, earbuds and microphone for calling, and an ear wearable called Cove that claims its gentle vibrations regulate anxiety and stress.
For the kitchen, manufacturer Kohler showed voice control features for its sinks and other fixtures, so homeowners can turn on faucets without ever touching them. British startup Handsteco praised sinks with built-in artificial intelligence to guide people through hygiene techniques in hospitals, offices and public spaces.
What to expect at the first-ever all-digital CES 2021

The pandemic tech theme also took a step outside. Building on the growth of online deliveries, lock manufacturer Yale announced it is now shipping its smart delivery box to protect parcels from porch pirates when they arrive. A delivery person places a package in the storage box, which is automatically locked and homeowners are notified.

While some of these products, such as Bot Handy, may seem a bit gimmicky, Jonathan Collins, an ABI Research analyst, said there is definitely money to be made from items that help automate household tasks. The market research firm found that the smart home market grew 6.7% in 2020 to $ 88 billion in 2020. However, that’s $ 11 billion lower than pre-pandemic expectations.
Even products that weren’t specifically pandemic related can still fit the way we live today. Flashy new TVs, a mainstay of CES events, seemed all the more appropriate this year as we’re stuck at home, glued to the TV, and increasingly aware of our surroundings. LG, for example, drummed up excitement about its new 55-inch transparent TV, the latest company to show screens that you can see through when you’re off.

Meanwhile, a Panasonic hair dryer that you don’t have to move around – a built-in oscillator does all the work for you – also generated some buzz, at a time when many people haven’t been properly trimmed or trimmed for a long time.

People watch CES events to get a sense of where the technology is headed in the years to come, but this year’s event is undoubtedly about the industry that has reshaped the way the pandemic has transformed our lives over the past year caught up.

With vaccines on the horizon, it’s unclear how much longer we’ll be stuck at home, but these tech companies seem to be betting that even if the pandemic ends, our habits won’t change completely.

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