From flying cars to robotic products, tech enterprises showcase innovation prowess at Las Vegas trade show

People gather at Xpeng AeroHT’s booth showcasing the newly launched electric vertical takeoff and landing flying car at CES 2024 in Las Vegas on Jan 9, 2024. (LI MINGMEI / CHINA DAILY)

The presence of Chinese technology companies at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show, which concluded on Jan 12 in Las Vegas, Nevada, has demonstrated China’s latest breakthroughs in high technology and its growing independent innovation capacities, experts said.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with a wide range of hardware devices is fueling the evolution of the global consumer electronics industry, they added.

During the world’s largest consumer tech show, over 1,100 Chinese enterprises, more than double the number of attendees last year, unveiled an array of cutting-edge technologies and products including new-generation semiconductor displays, AI, robotics, autonomous driving, and augmented reality.

Consumer electronics firm TCL showcased the world’s largest quantum dot mini LED TV with a 115-inch screen, AI-powered tablets, AR goggles, vehicle-mounted displays, and a smart cockpit.

BOE Technology Group, a major Chinese display panel manufacturer, rolled out a slew of new products such as a flexible organic light-emitting diode or OLED display, a transparent display panel, a 4K mini LED curved display, and a 45-inch 8K borderless cockpit screen equipped in automaker Geely’s new electric vehicle, the Galaxy E8.

Dreame Technology presented its multiple innovative robotic products, such as robotic vacuum cleaners and robotic mowers.

Robotics technology company Segway-Ninebot showcased a range of robots designed for specific tasks, such as food delivery robots used in restaurants and hotel service robots, as well as an AI-powered smart lawn mower.

Xpeng AeroHT displayed its electric vertical takeoff and landing flying car, or eVTOL. Qiu Mingquan, the company’s vice-president, said he was looking around the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center already planning for next year’s exhibition space.

The subsidiary of the leading Guangzhou-based EV brand Xpeng Motors discussed two products at the show — the physical eVTOL flying car and a six-wheeled modular flying car, showcased in a concept video.

The innovations offer a novel low-altitude travel experience, characterized by a technologically advanced design. The overall design of the vehicles is also rich in the technological sense, featuring an extensive transparent design, with four large propellers that can retract automatically.

“Drivers can seamlessly transition between flight mode and land mode,” Qiu told China Daily. “When you’re driving on the road, it functions as a futuristic, intelligent car. In flight mode, the steering wheel folds and retracts automatically, and our gear lever transforms into your control stick.”

Orders for the new series of flying cars will open shortly, he said, adding that both models have passed the testing phase.

“CES is a stage for Chinese companies like ours to showcase our R&D, presenting our latest achievements and products to the world. More importantly, it’s an opportunity to learn advanced concepts, technologies, and ideas from others, and to see the extent of the latest technological advancements globally,” he said.

CES is “the most powerful tech event in the world — the proving ground for breakthrough technologies and global innovators”, Qiu said.

However, some major Chinese technology companies on Washington’s entity list, such as Huawei, DJI, and Xiaomi, were unable to take part in the trade show.

The problems faced by some firms notwithstanding, the presence of a large number of Chinese technology companies at CES 2024 has demonstrated China’s latest breakthroughs in high technology and its growing independent innovation capacities, experts said.

The integration of artificial intelligence with a wide range of hardware devices is fueling the evolution of the global consumer electronics industry, they added.

Zhu Keli, founding director of the China Institute of New Economy, said that by participating in the world’s premier tech show that gathered top-notch consumer electronics companies and innovative forces, Chinese tech companies can boost brand awareness and influence globally, and let overseas consumers learn about their technological prowess and innovation capabilities in emerging technologies.

According to a report released by market research company GfK, with the meteoric rise of generative AI technology, it is clear that the application scenarios of AI are expanding from personal computers to more intelligent hardware, including smartphones, smart speakers, and smart home devices.

Hong Yong, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation’s e-commerce research institute, said Chinese tech companies are at the forefront of technological innovation and are making remarkable breakthroughs in cutting-edge technologies, which will help boost their own competitiveness on the global stage and drive the transformation from “Made in China” to “Created in China”.

China’s innovations in the autonomous driving and e-bike sectors have grabbed global attention. Companies are revolutionizing ground transportation by integrating autonomous driving technology and artificial intelligence into sustainable travel solutions.

For example, WeRide launched its autonomous minibus, the WeRide Robobus, at the CES, offering a demo ride of the self-driving minibus. It has been deployed in about 20 cities across China and is now making its mark internationally.

“We have research and development centers in China and in San Jose, California,” Liu Zhenya, executive director of engineering of WeRide, told China Daily. “Our presence in numerous Chinese cities has laid a strong foundation for us.”

The WeRide Robobus is designed to be highly adaptable to various scenarios and local needs, Liu said.

“It can be used for daily public transport, replacing traditional bus routes, and in tourist areas. The bus is equipped with customizable screens and voice announcements to suit different requirements.”

Among other Chinese firms, Horwin has not only revolutionized the electric car industry, it also brought innovative electric vehicle technology to motorcycles, expanding the possibilities of clean energy and sustainability in various modes of transportation.

Based in Changzhou, Jiangsu province, the company has expanded its electric motorcycle market to Europe and the United States. At CES 2024, it unveiled its new product that attracted attention.

“We have sold over 26,000 motorcycles worldwide,” Fan Xuezheng, vice-president of Horwin, told China Daily. Advanced technologies from traditional EVs have been applied to motorcycles, including the vehicle’s body and driving experience, and front and rear vehicle-sensing, he said.

The e-motorcycle surpasses most electric vehicles in the market in terms of battery range and power, Fan said.

Appotronics, meanwhile, is focusing on smart mobility experiences as its future development direction. Previously specializing in laser light technology, the Shenzhen-based company is now combining that expertise with EV interaction.

“The automobile is our third living space, after home and office,” said Han Meng, senior director of Appotronics. “With the proliferation of electric and smart cars, there’s an increasing focus on the in-car experience, particularly comfort.”

The company’s smart projection systems are designed to be flexible and durable enough for the car environment, and integrate seamlessly with software, effectively merging car and smartphone for a fluid interaction, he said.

“This independently developed Chinese projection technology has been incorporated into Huawei’s high-end cars, such as the AITO M9, and is now in mass production.”

Chinese companies are also making inroads into the overseas market of smart home appliances, capturing a significant market share.

“Consumers are recognizing the quality of the products that we deliver,” David Gold, vice-president of Hisense, told China Daily. “In Canada and Mexico, we are already a top-three brand, and in the US right now, we are number five, so quickly growing in the US as well.”

Hisense is one of the largest China-founded companies and has gradually become a world-recognized brand with its smart TVs.

“(We depend on) continuous investment from an R&D perspective in our headquarters in China. That’s our engine of growth,” Gold said.

Targeting the international market, Shenzhen-based Govee is bringing customization and personalization to ambient lighting.

“North America will be our primary market,” said Sherry Ye, head of marketing of Govee. “We are keen on establishing a closer connection with North American consumers, understanding their unique needs, such as outdoor ambient lighting, and then offering products that cater specifically to those needs within our expertise.”

Chinese companies in the small electronics accessories sector are showcasing their commitment to technical innovation, focusing on resolving minor yet impactful issues that enhance the user experience.

Infusing traditional designs with eye-catching artistic elements, they are adding made-in-China scientific elements into their products.

SHARGE, a startup from Shenzhen in the power supply industry, made its debut at CES 2024 with its latest self-designed power banks.

According to company data, it has achieved global satisfaction above 98 percent and has become the top-selling brand in its price range on Amazon, where it sells power banks for personal use.

“Our new power bank products have taken some pain points of users’ experience in real-life scenarios into account. We have made technological breakthroughs in response to these needs,” said Wu Haoran, SHARGE’s overseas market director.

Contact the reporters at mingmeili@chinadailyusa.com