NewTerritory at CES 2023
NewTerritory has been following new territory in creative technologies covered at CES this year, and we’re seeing some interesting parallels with the work we’re doing with our clients and partners. We’ve selected five highlights from the show that we think are both interesting in their own right, but also lead us to speculate on what meaningful applications each could bring to our futures.
1. Colour Changing Cars
For the second year in a row, BMW have demonstrated their application of new E-Ink technology — but this time in glorious technicolor! Their applications provide interesting styling implications, but are there more meaningful uses for this amazing new technology?
What if we could use the chameleon-like E-Ink technology to solve a service vehicle’s utilisation problem? A driverless car provides a commuter with a lift into work during rush hour, then becomes a delivery vehicle with brand X’s livery emblazoned across it — or even transforms into an emergency vehicle with automatic rights of the road to speed to the hospital.
2. Water Saving Smart Sprinklers
The Moen soil sensor monitors moisture levels in each patch of lawn, without the need to bury wires or sensors, which tells the smart sprinkler where to project the water, providing much needed water to dry patches of lawn, without showering unnecessary water on well watered patches, saving water. The sprinkler knows not to operate on rainy days, so is there an opportunity to recycle that rainwater too?
What if the system was extended to collect this rainwater as well, rather than use what comes out of the tap? Could we collect the rainwater that falls while the system is off-duty, and use that to provide the water required when the system is doing its thing — providing a completely self-sufficient — and free — lawn, garden or even sports field watering system?
3. The Scent Speaker
At NewTerritory, we’re fascinated by making original experiences. Most of what we see out there provides stimulus to our sight and sound, but what about all of our other senses? The Amora Shooter, shown off at CES 2023, adds scent to those senses, providing more immersive experiences. Applications demonstrated resort to gaming and movies, but are there practical use cases beyond entertainment?
What if the power of scent, which is the only sense with a direct connection to the limbic system (which controls memory, emotion, behavior and motivation) was used to aid people with conditions such as depression, short term memory loss or even dementia? In the retail and advertising world, it could even be used to sell products and create immersive brand activations.
4. AI That Attends Meetings For You
Nvidia introduced us to their new AI face-alignment software, which artificially repositions your head and face so that you’re always looking at the camera during video calls. Its new Maxine platform also reconstructs the unseen parts of your head, just like a deepfake. How can this be taken even further?
What if, using motion detection, you can not only always be facing the camera during video calls, but also facing the person on the other end as they walk around the room, following them as they do so, even if in reality you could be reading a book? What if you could set up 10 meetings, all to happen at once, typing in your conversations and delivered by the AI version of you that is reacting to the other person on the video call, saving time and allowing you to get more done in a day? Time is the most valuable commodity of our time after all.
5. Upcycled Cars of the Future
Chrysler’s new Synthesis concept in-car cockpit boasts an impressive infotainment system that uses Stellantis STLA technologies with ‘advanced AI technology’ — but it’s the materials in the interior that caught our attention. This cockpit incorporates upcycled materials such as a reclaimed walnut floor, plastics that are recycled from the ocean and seats that are “vegetable-tanned, suspended seats wrapped with an arctic upcycled chrome-free soft trim embellished by a unique constellation-style perforation”. However, what’s the environmental story behind the sourcing of these materials?
What if the entire supply chain was environmentally friendly? As our climate crisis becomes more critical, sustainable practices behind the tech industry’s products and services are going to be under the spotlight. Evolving from a general shift of consumers investing in greener technology to live more sustainable lives, we’re also seeing increased consumer awareness of the concrete credentials behind the manufacture of what they’re buying.
Based in London, NewTerritory is a creative studio connecting vision, innovation and experience. By working with their clients at both an internal and external level, their specialist creative team helps organisations overcome critical business challenges using physical, service and digital design to create original brand experiences. From mobility, retail and the urban realm to hospitality, consumer technology and healthcare, NewTerritory reimagines the systems, services and experiences that will surround us.
If you’d like to discuss the themes above with us, or find out what work we’re doing in the creative tech field, please get in touch at newterritory.io.
