The Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2015), which kicks off next week in Las Vegas, is the first major tech event of the new year.
And, considering that this year's conference will spotlight the emerging ubiquitousness of wearables, the impending release of several high-profile VR headsets, and the rapid development of driverless cars, CES 2016 could very well be the industry's biggest event of all of next year.
Given the size and scope of CES, it's no surprise that a number of Chicago companies and entrepreneurs will be exhibiting, competing, presenting, and speaking at the conference, not to mention shaping and influencing the trends and topics that will define this year's event.
Here are the 8 Windy City businesses to keep an eye on at CES 2016.
HERE: In 2015, HERE, a global leader in navigation, mapping and location experiences, made two major announcements at CES - Intelligent Drive (its suite of location-based services for the connected car) and mapping tech for Augmented Reality.
This year, HERE, which sold to a German car consortium featuring BMW, Mercedes and Audi in August, may reveal how the company's new parents will leverage its technology and legacy data to build autonomous vehicles. (Booth locations: LVCC, Central Plaza - CP-2 and LVCC, North Plaza - NP-3).
AMPY: Ever since AMPY, a crowdfunded device that converts kinetic movement into battery power for smartphones, began shipping to backers this Fall, a handful of commenters have been less than enthused by the product's actual performance. So, we decided to test it out.
Though we weren't blown away by the current model, we'll be watching to see if AMPY debuts its next-gen device the company said that it's working on. (Booth location: Sands, Hall G - 80524).
ConnectSense: Exhibiting at CES' Smart Home Marketplace, ConnectSense is a maker of wireless sensors and products that enable home automation. The company will be showcasing its new Smart Outlet, which allows users to control and monitor power usage in their homes. (Booth location: Sands, Halls A-C - 70760).
Carloudy: Cognitive AI Technologies, a designer and maker of artificial intelligence software, will be debuting its Carloudy Kickstarter campaign at CES. According to the company, Carloudy is the "world’s first ultra-portable, completely wireless, voice-controlled, super smart, automotive windshield head-up display (HUD) system that can be put on any car in seconds." (Booth location: LVCC, North Hall - 3415).
Beastgrip: Beatsgrip has developed several accessories and attachments that help transform a smartphone into a professional camera and video camera. (The company caters to the "phoneographer"). In March, Beastgrip said that it's working on an app that will help augment its smartphone camera rig. Perhaps we'll see it at CES.
Mira Fitness: Mira is a wearables company that specializes in making connected, fashionable bracelets for women. The startup's line of smart jewelry captures a wearer's daily activity, all while fitting their personal style. Mira debuted its flagship model at last year's CES and will highlight new versions this year. (Booth Location: Sands, Halls A-C - 74528).
Oomi: In May, Oomo became Chicago's most successful crowdfunding project ever, raising $1.2 million on Indiegogo. (Oomi lost this crown in August to the BauBax travel jacket). At CES, the company will showing off its Oomi Cube, a central IoT device, that allows users to control and monitor their entire home through its complete line of smart products. (Booth locations: Sands, Halls A-C - 70949 and Sands, Hall G - 80031).
MYZONE: Returning to CES for the second year in a row, MYZONE is a fitness wearable that transmits heart rate, calories, performance and more in real time to a live display and and digital logbook. However, where as most fitness wearables are wrist bands, MYZONE, which is exhibiting at the Fitness & Technology Marketplace, is a wireless chest strap. (Booth location: Sands, Halls A-C - 74700).
