Tech

Canada shines at Consumer Electronics Show 2017 in Las Vegas

by Charlie Smith on January 7th, 2017 at 8:42 AM
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      This year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is bigger than ever, with attendance expected to shatter last year's record of 177,393 when it closes Sunday (January 8).

      It attracts far more more media than the Olympic Games.

      Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains has been among those at this year's show. He joined Montreal-based Felix & Paul Studios for an announcement of its new partnership with Samsung.

      Felix & Paul Studios is in Las Vegas to show off its nifty virtual reality, which features another Canadian gem, Cirque du Soleil.

      Bains was also on a panel focusing on "Cities of the Future", which explored how smart technology can help municipalities better manage infrastructure.

      Blackberry made a big splash at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
      Dan McLeod

      One of the more newsworthy Canadian events at the CES was Waterloo-based Blackberry's revelation that it's entering the driverless car market.

      Blackberry's software is already being used by Ford for its vehicle infotainment systems.

      In Las Vegas, Blackberry is showing how its technology can also help self-driven vehicles communicate with each other and traffic lights.

      Dan McLeod
      Dan McLeod

      If Blackberry's technology becomes operational on roads, it could facilitate smoother traffic flows through cities and prevent collisions.

      Blackberry even relied on an image of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in its marketing pitch at the CES.

      Dan McLeod

      Other Canadian companies displaying their wares include Montreal-based Mighty Cast. It won an innovation award at last year's show for the Nex band, which is a wristband that control electronics.

      Mississauga-based Paradigm Electronics is also at the CES, showing off its Prestige and Persona series of audio and home-theatre loudspeaker systems. Winnipeg-based Komodo Technologies has featured its compression sleeves, which are used to montitor the effect of activities on the heart.

      In addition, Toronto-based Muse is in Las Vegas to display its muse, which is a brain-sensing headband that offers feedback during meditation. Ottawa-based You.i TV is also there to show how its technology assists creators who want to place their content on various platforms. 

      "My visit to CES made it clear to me that Canada, with less than half a percent of the world's population, is achieving great things in information and communications technologies," Bains said in a news release. "I am proud of the industry-leading technologies our Canadian firms demonstrated to the world. I want innovation to be part of our Canadian identity and Canada to be known around the world as an innovative, competitive global leader."

      Bains also met with National Basketball Association executives to discuss how You.i TV and other Canadian companies can make the league's content available to the next generation of hoop fans.

      The CES is expected to break its attendance record this year.
      Dan McLeod
      Every seat has been filled at many sessions.
      Dan McLeod

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