Regarded as one of the world’s three major consumer electronics events, which include the Mobile World Congress (MWC) held in Spain and CeBIT held in Hannover, Germany, the International Consumer Electronics Shows (CES) smoothly ended on January 8, 2017 in Las Vegas, USA.  Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, CES spanned more than 2,600,000 net square feet of exhibit space, the largest in the history of the show.  Covering a wide range of products in virtual reality, robotics, wearable devices, smart home, self-driving vehicles, health and fitness tech, CES presented plentiful next-generation innovations that will shake up the world and attracted more than 200,000 visitors.  This year there was a good number of Taiwanese and Chinese exhibitors, some of which are VR/AR equipment providers.  CES 2017 has showcased not only new technologies and new inventions, but also a new future.

Revolutionizing the world and cracking many existing frames, the Internet of Things has brought whole new business opportunities to industries after recent shocks and demolition.  In particular, we have seen ushered in an explosion of VR/AR with various related products and applications launched to the market.  Although some VR headsets and glasses still have their problems with dizziness and need to be improved, as a whole “it” has demonstrated to offer an unlimited future.  Not only is VR/AR found everywhere, from the AAE held in Shanghai to AGE in Australia, GTI Asia China Expo in Guangzhou, China, IAAPA Attractions Expo in the US, PARX in Japan and ATRAX in Turkey, but is has also stolen the spotlight at all these shows.  In fact, for gaming or entertainment games, the entire connected experience will become the breakthrough point in the future.  The electronic game industry can also usher in a revival by breaking away from set patterns and traditions.  For the amusement industry, following theme parks and children’s entertainment, VR/AR equipment has become a new bright spot.  With the breaking of the boundaries between modern times and tradition, cross-industry integration will move further forward.

This year is the Year of the Rooster according to the Chinese lunar year calendar and also the “opportunity” year for the world.  We should work together to look to the future, cultivate the future, and create the future!  Now at the end of the Year of the Monkey, I wholeheartedly wish that the Rooster will crow in happiness and prosperity for the readers and industry members across the world.  Gong Xi Fa Cai!  I hope all of you enjoy brisk business and a flourishing source of wealth in 2017!

※The article is published in the GTI Magazine Issue No. 150 in Jan. & Feb., 2017