What Were the Hottest CES 2017 Tech Innovations? VR, AR, Smart Home, and More

VR/AR/MR

Lenovo introduced its first holographic VR headset featuring dual 1440×1440 OLED panels, a weight of only 350 g, inside‑out tracking via two front‑facing cameras, and a projected price of $300‑$400. DP (大朋) displayed the PC‑mounted E3 headset with a proprietary dual‑laser positioning system (E‑Polaris) that offers sub‑millimeter accuracy and a weight under 300 g, supporting SteamVR, VROnline and Windows 10 platforms. iQIYI launched a VR all‑in‑one device with a 3840×2160 Sharp screen, 6DoF room‑scale tracking, and an AI‑driven virtual companion for voice interaction. IDEALENS revealed multiple products, including the K2 Pro VR headset powered by a custom Samsung Exynos 8890 VR processor, a patented sub‑20 ms, 0.5 mm tracking system, and a range of 3‑ and 4‑eye panoramic cameras. Ant Vision (蚁视) showcased a prototype “compound‑eye glasses” with a 25 mm optical thickness and 120° field of view, plus a VR action camera employing dual‑eye 3D capture and rendering‑stabilization technology.

Smart Home

WhattUp demonstrated its wireless charging solution that transmits power through the air up to 5.8 m, with applications ranging from medical sensors to smart ID cards and earbuds. Ossia presented the Cota™ Tile, a ceiling‑tile‑sized wireless power transmitter covering a 30‑ft radius. Tobii Dynavox introduced a mini eye‑tracker (MiniPCEye) that enables hands‑free computer control for users with motor impairments. Sevenhugs offered a universal smart‑home remote that consolidates multiple device controls into a single unit.

Display Technology

BOE unveiled the iGallery, a cloud‑based art exhibition platform combining a high‑resolution OLED display with a curated art library and e‑commerce features. China Electronics (中电熊猫) displayed the world’s first 98‑inch 8K IGZO TV, while CSOT showcased 32‑inch 8K monitors and ultra‑thin 4K/8K curved panels. FlexPhone (柔宇) revealed a rollable smartphone prototype that can be worn on the wrist or unfolded into a conventional phone, powered by a flexible display and sensor array.

Drones

PowerUp Toys introduced a paper‑plane‑styled FPV drone equipped with a front‑mounted VGA camera, rear thrust modules, and a carbon‑fiber frame, controllable via a VR headset.

3D Printing & Portable Printers

Robo 3D Inc. launched the Robo R2, a Wi‑Fi‑enabled 10×10×10 in³ 3D printer with dual extruders for simultaneous multi‑material printing. MANGOSLAB released the Nemonic printer, a compact Bluetooth‑connected device that prints photos onto adhesive‑backed sticky notes.

Audio & Speakers

Crazybaby displayed its levitating speaker that hovers using magnetic levitation. OSSIC presented the X headphones with real‑time 3D audio calibration. Paradigm showed the Persona 9H floor‑standing speaker featuring four 8.5‑inch drivers and Anthem ARC room correction. SVS introduced the SB16‑Ultra subwoofer with a 16‑inch driver, sealed enclosure, and a 1500 W amplifier capable of over 5000 W peak output.

Portable Products

Motorola highlighted Moto Mods, modular accessories for Moto Z devices that transform the phone into a charger, projector, or professional camera. Polaroid released the Pop 2000‑MP camera with a 3.97‑inch touchscreen, 1080p video, and instant‑print film. Bosch demonstrated the Integrated Connectivity Cluster (ICC) that aggregates motorcycle instrument data onto a single display and syncs with smartphones.

Sensors & AI

Goodix showcased a live fingerprint sensor that simultaneously captures capacitive fingerprint data and blood‑flow information for enhanced payment security. Quanergy Systems unveiled the S3 solid‑state LiDAR designed for autonomous vehicles, offering object detection, classification, and real‑time tracking. Rokid presented the Pebble AI speaker, a dual‑award CES winner that provides voice‑controlled smart‑home integration without a smartphone.

Overall, CES 2017 highlighted a shift toward immersive reality devices, wireless power, flexible displays, and AI‑enabled consumer electronics, indicating emerging trends that will shape the tech market in the coming years.