The diversity of Orange County’s technology sector was on full display in Las Vegas for the International CES convention last week, as chipmakers, smart-products manufacturers, component suppliers, and the biggest auto brand based here launched products and teased others in development.
Local headliners that set out to cut through the clutter at the world’s largest consumer electronics convention reflected the rapid integration of technology into everyday consumer products.
Among the examples:
n Hyundai Motor America Inc., the Fountain Valley-based unit of Hyundai Motor Corp. in South Korea, demonstrated a new app that allows users to start the engine, control lights, and door locks, as well as locate a vehicle through an Android Wear watch, among other features. The automaker also showcased a virtual display system that alerts drivers of upcoming road conditions and other vehicles’ movements. The augmented display can be synced with a wearable band that vibrates when the lane departure warning system is activated.
n Irvine-based Toshiba America Information Systems Inc. helped parent Toshiba Corp. turn some heads on the hectic and crowded floor of the Las Vegas Convention Center with several concepts. Female attendees flocked to a virtual fitting station that displayed images of various outfits on visitors at the wave of a hand, allowing users to virtually mix and match tops and bottoms through a mirrored display.
Toshiba also teased its own line of eyewear in the mold of the stalled Google Glass device, and a humanoid robot that displayed various “emotions” and is geared for the service industry.
D-Link
• Fountain Valley-based D-Link Systems Inc. debuted several home automation devices, including a sensor that alerts mobile devices if a door or window opens; a motion sensor that monitors temperature and lights; a Wi-Fi sensor that detects water, ideal when gauging potential leaks from water heaters, washing machines, dishwashers and sump pumps; and a Wi-Fi Siren that sounds an alarm when activated through other connected home devices.
“Nine out of 10 of our customers are using our Wi-Fi cameras for home security,” said D-Link spokesperson Daniel Kelley. “With that in mind, we want to make sure we are making it easier for a home network setup.”
• Sandy the Materials Girl helped Costa Mesa-based startup Airwolf 3D demonstrate potential applications from the maker of 3-D printers. Her dress and fashion accessories were created by the company’s machines. Airwolf also debuted a printer dubbed the AW3D HD-R, which incorporates Wi-Fi and remote cloud-based printing via an 8-inch tablet interface.
Lantronix, Torquing
• Irvine-based networking gear maker Lantronix Inc. hooked up with U.K.-based Torquing Group Ltd. to showcase a nano drone geared for consumers and that captures aerial photos and videos. The Zano is powered by Lantronix’ xPico Wi-Fi module that allows users to remotely control the drone and monitor its exact location via a mobile device.
• Fountain Valley-based Kingston Technology Co., the world’s largest memory products maker for computers and consumer electronics, provided an early look at a second version of an audio headset geared for gaming enthusiasts at a private suite at Caesar’s Palace.
HyperX Cloud II
The HyperX Cloud II, which is still in development, features more cushy comfort for long hours at play, as well as a controller, enhanced base and 7.1 virtual surround sound.
The audio improvements enhanced the booms of heavy artillery, semiautomatic weapons, and explosives heard during a demonstration of the accessory that featured a clip of video game “Battlefield 4” to show off the technology.
“We’re going after that gamer audience,” Kingston spokesperson David Leong said during a private demo at a suite inside Caesar’s Palace. “Gamers want to be immersed in the action. That’s why they play hours on end.”
The company also launched a speedy micro security card for digital storage, also known as an SD. The product is made for HD and 4K videos or photos, a category that’s growing thanks to increased use of GoPro cameras by adventurists and sports enthusiasts. The tiny secured digital card is water, shock, X-ray and vibration proof.
There’s still room for the business-to-business side of the tech industry at CES.
Broadcom
• Broadcom Corp. showcased several chipsets geared for the automotive, cable and home networking markets.
The Irvine-based company, in collaboration with Comcast, showed off a software chip stack for broadband devices that allows cable operators to enhance services, including customized parental controls and firewall protection.
Other announcements by Broadcom included an expanded line of 5G Wi-Fi chips and a systems-on-a-chip for high-performance consumer routers, wireless gateways, and set-top boxes designed to meet the growing demand for wirelessly streaming high-definition content across multiple devices in the home.
The company showcased a near-field communication chip that simplifies the setup process for mobile device connectivity in vehicles, a big trend at CES, and what’s billed as the industry’s most power-efficient automotive Ethernet chips and cabling.
“This is a real breakthrough,” Broadcom spokesperson Russ Castronovo said during a private showcase distanced from the mobs on the showroom floor. “It’s the first and the fastest.”
