New Year, New Innovations: The Biggest Tech Trends at CES 2018

As we kick off 2018, we’re excited about everything that it has in store. While many look forward to fulfilling their New Year resolutions, MAKO Design + Invent looks forward to new consumer product innovations that will emerge in the ever-expanding realm of product design and development.

With every new year, there are endless opportunities for what may become a trend next. Will it be burgeoning software that’s going to change our lives for the better or a novel gadget that streamlines our daily lives?

From virtual reality to home assistants, sometimes we think our consumer tech design firm has seen it all, but we really haven’t yet. We’re only just getting started!

After attending the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) – one of the most famous annual tech trade shows in the world – last week in Las Vegas, Nevada, our team has created a few predictions for what’s to come.

Let’s dive into a few prominent trends, technologies, and themes that MAKO expects to see more in 2018!

Artificial Intelligence

In 2017, we still didn’t find a lot of truly “intelligent” tech products, but we know modern innovators are getting closer and closer. There’s no doubt that we’ll soon see an age where our technological devices surpass our own ability to complete tasks in the most intelligent and efficient manner.

Right now, we are already starting to see this with artificial intelligence, but it certainly hasn’t reached its maximum potential yet. Current AI products rely on human guidance and input rather than independently finding the simplest or best way to do something. However, we should only expect that AI technology will continue to improve throughout the coming years.

Machine learning and artificial intelligence will reshape the world as we know it.

Augmented and Virtual Reality

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) had a huge year in 2017. We saw the release of new products from Google, Apple, and Windows disrupting the space. After seeing the success of AR and VR technology in 2017, the tech industry has built a strong foundation for continued innovation in 2018.

One of the biggest questions that came from 2017 was how long and how often consumers want to engage with the technology, especially with forms of technology, like bulky headsets, that are currently on the market. So how will innovators improve and take VR and AR to the next level? I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

A player participates in a virtual reality game with his point of view on the screen.

Connectivity

There’s no doubt, and we’ve known this for years, that people love and feel a great need to be connected. Thus, it comes as no surprise that the MAKO team believes there will be a firm focus on how to make connectivity possible for anyone and everyone everywhere in 2018.

Some key questions that we think tech industry leaders will be looking to answer are:

• How can innovators ensure that consumers aren’t limited to their location, the number of people around them, or other factors that are currently limiting the speed or quality of their connection?
• How can Wifi connectivity be improved?
• How can mobile networks be optimized to provide steady and high-quality connections?

Google Home with a minimalist and modern design fits perfectly into the home.

Voice Computing

In 2017, consumer tech design and designers took voice computing to the next level with a focus on innovations such as smart speakers and home devices like Google Home.

Because of the popularity of voice-activated technology, we strongly believe 2018 will see this technology expand beyond its current limitations. Think televisions, lamps, cars, and of course, improvements and innovations with the voice assistants that are already out there today and what they can do for us.

Regardless of what they are, consumer tech design developments surprise and invigorate us each new year, and we can’t wait to see what else is in store for 2018. Can you?

What are some trends that you see becoming more popular or advanced this year? Tell us in the comments below, and check out some advanced tech products that MAKO has developed for our brilliant clients here.

About: MAKO Design + Invent is the original firm providing world-class consumer product development services tailored to startups, small manufacturers, and inventors. Simply put, we are the leading one-stop-shop for developing your physical product from idea to store shelves, all in a high-quality, cost-effective, and timely manner. We operate as one powerhouse 30-person product design team spread across 4 offices to serve you (Austin, Miami, San Francisco, & Toronto). We have full-stack in-house industrial design, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, patent referral, prototyping, and manufacturing services. To assist our startup and inventor clients, in addition to above, we help with business strategy, product strategy, marketing, and sales/distribution for all consumer product categories. Also, our founder Kevin Mako hosts The Product Startup Podcast, the industry's leading hardware podcast. Check it out for tips, interviews, and best practices for hardware startups, inventors, and product developers. Click HERE to learn more about MAKO Design + Invent!