Feb 4th 2018 O.A.
CES 2018
World’s largest electronics and technologies expo, CES was held for 4 days from January 8th. It was as if Google’s tremendous booth was representing this year’s theme of “Artificial Intelligence AI”. Many products that have this technologies and robots gathered the spotlight. Car manufacturers have been essential to this expo for the last couple of years, and they have also announced cars with AIs built in. Toyota announced its new concept car, “e-Palette” foreseeing the future of ride-sharing and carpooling; as well as 2 concept cars using their “Concept-i” technology where the AI scans the driver’s emotions and supports them. This is the Japan Tech Pavilion, where 12 companies gathered and participated at CES under “The major company supporting the startup companies.” Unique products with interesting takes and technologies were introduced. More than 3,900 companies from all over the world participated in this year’s CES, and the expo gave an glimpse of how our lives are going to be in the future.
NAMM 2018
This is the world’s largest music related expo, NAMM Show. It was held from January 25th to 28th at the Anaheim Convention Center. Like the CES, NAMM Show targets global companies, and about 2,000 companies participated with more than 700 brands introducing their newest model. Attendees gathered information while they actually touched the instruments and listened to the live performances. Like last year, Shizuoka, Japan’s Hamamatsu City participated, promoting their city as “The city of instruments.” Hamamatsu has many HQ like YAMAHA, Roland, Kawai and other major musical instrument manufacturers. Many mid to small business are also working at the city, making industry related products. 7 local companies participated this year and introduced products utilizing their technologies and craftsmanship. Best known Japanese guitar maker, ESP introduced their custom made electric guitar. Takamine, specializing in acoustic guitars and acoustic-electric guitars introduced their newest model as well. 115,000 people attended the 4 days, which is more than the previous year.