At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the influential tech event in Las Vegas that opens every calendar year and gives us a glimpse of trends to come, there was a flying car, a solar- and AI-powered helmet, an AI-powered radio, a robotic vacuum cleaner with arms, unusual wellness gadgets, and plenty of other exciting stuff. 

Products and news centred on artificial intelligence (AI) dominated the show but robotic tech enthralled too, as did futuristic mobility. There was much focus on wellness and sustainability, and age-tech made big strides. Nvidia was the company that created the maximum buzz but the Asian tigers Samsung, LG and Panasonic pulled in the crowds too. Interestingly, small brands had some of the most interesting tech.

For marketers and brands there was plenty to chew over. Here are some trends we spotted after attending the event virtually. All the highlights are on CES.tech.

Agentic AI

Till now we had been hearing a lot of noise about AI without really getting a grip on how it would change our lives. CES 2025 showed how it will change businesses and individuals substantively. Agentic AI is going to be big. Literally, every brand will have an AI agent. And it is quite possible that the AI agent will interact not with a consumer but the consumer’s AI agent. Individuals can create their own agents too.

Many brands showed off their AI agents, which had a personality. LG, with its promise of ‘Affectionate Intelligence’, had a lovable agent, Furon. Panasonic introduced us to an AI-powered digital wellness assistant, Umi (with powers of reasoning and ability to converse), that would be a help to caregivers. Delta showcased Delta Concierge.

Gadgets get smarter

We already have smart gadgets. But CES 2025 showed us gadgets with an unimaginable level of intelligence. For instance, Samsung’s AI-powered fridge knows your consumption pattern and gives shopping recommendations. LG showcased an AI radio that resembles a speaker and can switch programmes to suit your taste and mood.

AI was prevalent in every category. From healthcare to cars to aircraft to refrigerators and TVs, to even helmets.

A solar-powered helmet offered by Exeger (a Swedish deep-tech company) and Cosonic had audio and safety enhancements aided by AI. Equipped with navigation tools, the helmet alerts riders to obstacles and traffic situations. Certainly a boon to the thousands of delivery agents out on the roads these days.

It was also evident that televisions are certainly not going out of our lives as CES 2025 showed an extraordinary line-up of smart screens with AI integration.

Chinese firm Xpeng Aeroht’s flying car created quite a stir. It’s not really a flying car, of course. Rather, the large car is an aircraft carrier, holding a drone-like flying vehicle inside. The flying vehicle can be detached. You get into the cockpit and take off using a joystick to manoeuvre. The cost: $3,00,000. And you would need a flying licence.

Age-tech comes of age

A heart-warming aspect of CES 2025 was the focus on inclusive tech, especially assistive technology for seniors. There was a dedicated arena for age-tech, showcasing gadgets like a robotic puppy to soothe dementia patients. Japanese firm Asahi Kasei displayed a detection system that can send alerts to caregivers if a senior under their watch has a fall.

Many of the home gadgets on display had useful features for seniors. Even beauty-tech players had solutions, such as applying lipstick and eyeliner without smudging, for seniors with shaking hands.

Wellness in focus

Healthcare and wellness features were integrated into offerings from nearly all consumer electronics firms. From sleep and fitness monitoring wearables, the product range has expanded to include glucose monitors and mental health and nutrition trackers.

As for sustainability, the focus intensified with many gadgets using renewable energy — especially solar power. There was a huge focus on battery and energy storage technologies. Some exciting developments were showcased, like a charging hub where your mobile could be fully charged in two seconds (through a change of battery).

Riding on partnerships

A noticeable trend at CES 2025 was the many companies collaborating together. We saw Sony pairing up with Honda for its EV Afeela, Nvidia announcing it was helping Toyota with its autonomous vehicle development, and Microsoft talking about its partnership with Volkswagen, GM and Ford to speed innovation, among many others.

The future lies in big brands collaborating.