Technology

CES 2019: Exploring the Future of Construction with Technology Part 1 featured image

CES 2019: Exploring the Future of Construction with Technology Part 1

According to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) website, “CES is the world’s gathering place for all those who thrive on the business of consumer technologies. It has served as the proving ground for innovators and breakthrough technologies for 50 years — the global stage where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace.” You might be imagining a bunch of tech startups from Silicon Valley meeting to talk about new apps, software, and tech toys, but in actuality, CES is an immense event covering nearly every aspect of cutting-edge technology. In this two-part article, the Sarasota construction attorneys at Cotney Attorneys & Consultants will discuss the most exciting advancements for the construction industry introduced at CES 2019.

Breaking Down the Numbers

CES is owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). As one of the premier meeting places for the world’s preeminent business leaders and most celebrated thinkers, CES welcomes hundreds of thousands of people from across the world every year to Las Vegas for a week of talks, presentations, demonstrations, and more. Although the statistics for CES 2019 won’t be available until the completion of an extensive audit, CES has grown steadily since launching in 1967. CES 2018 featured:

  • Total attendance: 182,198 (118,414 domestic; 63,784 international)
  • Total media coverage: 107,120 media mentions (12,615 print; 76,367 online; 18,138 broadcast)
  • Over 4,500 exhibiting companies
  • Over 1,000 speakers
  • More than 1,200 startups at the Eureka Park Marketplace
  • Over 2.9 million net square feet in exhibit space
  • #CES2018 and @CES Mentions: 1 million
  • Images shared on Instagram at CES that included the official hashtag #CES2018: 37,000

What does all of this mean? It means that the technologies being presented at CES are receiving a substantial amount of attention in person and online. Since many of these technologies are directly related to building, CES benefits the industry by driving interest in the tech being utilized by construction professionals.

Operator-Assist Systems

Despite a bumpy start, the development of autonomous vehicles is evolving rapidly to avoid more accidents like the one involving a self-driving Uber in Arizona. At CES 2019, there were a variety of products available to help secure project sites such as trailers outfitted with backup cameras and systems involving multiple backup cameras and smart sensors that can be applied to mobile construction equipment including loaders and cranes. Although not completely autonomous, these operator assist systems take the guesswork out of driving these lumbering machines and indicate a move in the direction of fully autonomous vehicles. Although it’s safe to assume that self-driving cranes are a long way off from becoming a reality, it’s always helpful to have a Sarasota construction attorney on your side to deal with the inevitable changes in laws that follow the integration of new technologies into the construction industry.

To learn about the other technologies on display at CES 2019 that are changing the way contractors complete projects, read part two.

If you would like to speak with our Sarasota construction lawyers, please contact us today.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.