Keep reading for the biggest trends I uncovered this year along with key implications for brands on earning consumer trust and enabling meaningful improvements through strategic emerging technology use. From intuitive smart home ecosystems to nostalgia-fueled design, CES 2024 highlights no shortage of opportunities to positively impact people's lives.

1. CES 2024 Reflections
Adam Housley
VP, Senior Director of Digital Innovation
Omnicom Health Group
Bridging AI & Consumer Tech for a
Connected, Health-Focused Future

2. Key Trends
• AI Enhances Care Anywhere
• AI Below the Surface
• AI for You
• Universal Connectivity
• Pet Care Parallels Human Care
• Nostalgia Meets Innovation

3. AI Enhances Care Anywhere Leveraging AI for enhanced care in
smart homes and pet care, catering to
the needs of aging populations and
pet owners.
01

4. AI is elevating smart devices beyond their standalone
functions, integrating them into a cohesive system
that promotes health, safety, and comfort in our
homes. This integration ensures smart homes not only
adapt to individual lifestyles but also provide a
collective sense of security and well-being, offering
caregivers remote confidence and support.
A New Class of Smart Devices

5. SmartThings enables personalized ecosystems and allows external
monitoring for caregivers. Now your parents’ fall detection system can alert
their smart vacuum to go investigate.
Samsung SmartThings
01

6. Urtopia Carbon 1 Pro eBike
01
Urtopia’s e-bike’s Smartbar provides ChatGPT through LTE and
bluetooth for an always connected experience via voice commands;
the device can also act as an assistant creating and then providing
directions for your ride. When paired with the forthcoming smart
ring, which will collect health data, including sleep stage, and sync
with the bike to optimize your riding experience based on your
current condition

7. Concerned about the well-being of their aging relatives,
consumers seek technologies that provide security and
companionship, grappling with the guilt of not being physically
present while striving to prolong their independence at home.
WHAT CONSUMERS ARE
THINKING...
Consumers are investing in technology to enhance home
safety and enable remote monitoring for the wellbeing of
their loved ones.
WHAT CONSUMERS ARE
DOING...
Brands should create solutions tailored for seniors that
also cater to remote caregivers, focusing on usability
within a broader connected ecosystem to enhance
product functionality.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR
BRANDS...
01

8. AI Below the Surface Deep health tech innovations versus
surface-level solutions, balancing
consumer convenience with privacy
concerns.
02

9. A fascinating dichotomy emerged between simple,
user-friendly solutions and deep health tech
innovations that delve into complex wellness areas.
One of the key challenges here is balancing consumer
convenience with legitimate privacy concerns,
especially as health technologies delve deeper into
our personal lives.
Emerging Digital Health Innovations

10. Worn as a patch on the abdomen, MEDiLight helps people with spinal cord
injuries or neurological conditions like MS anticipate when they need to use
the restroom via phone alerts based on near-infrared tech that can “see”
into the bladder.
MEDiThings MEDiLight
02

11. Xandar Kardian XK300-H
02
Xandar Kardian uses radar to monitor vital signs such as body
motion, breathing, and heartbeat in the comfort of patients’ own
homes — with no wearables, patches, or finger sensors involved

12. While consumers crave the convenience that advanced
health technologies offer, there's apprehension about AI
and data privacy, especially with micro-level solutions that
require sharing of such deep personal health insights.
WHAT CONSUMERS ARE
THINKING...
Consumers are adopting health tech for everyday
wellness while increasingly shielding their data, using
adblockers and other protective measures, especially for
sensitive health information.
WHAT CONSUMERS ARE
DOING...
Brands must champion transparency and actively
incorporate healthcare professionals into their digital
solutions, particularly as technology advances into
personal health data.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR
BRANDS...
02

13. AI for You The shift towards custom AI solutions
in health and wellness, emphasizing
mental and physical health.
03

14. AI's ability to offer customized solutions in health and
wellness was a highlight, highlighted in L’oreal’s
keynote as “Beauty for You.” The trend is moving
towards technologies that not only monitor but also
actively contribute to our mental and physical well-
being, offering a more holistic approach to healthcare.
This approach, while promising individualized care,
also places a greater responsibility on brands to
manage consumer data with utmost transparency
and trust.
Personalized Health & Wellness

15. A smart mirror for mental wellness, Baracoda’s BMind gathers information
without any invasive technology and helps users incorporate mindfulness
practices into their daily routines or even curb feelings of loneliness through
an immersive experience using light, sound, and visuals.
Baracoda BMind Mirror
03

16. identifyHer
03
identifyHer leverages AI via stick-on sensor to personalize the
management of menopausal symptoms and reduce the future risk
of disease for women.
Sensor collects your
symptom and activity data.
Get daily, weekly and
monthly reports on your
app.
Share your data with your
clinician to help with the
diagnosis and symptom
management

17. Consumers are more aware of their overall mental and
physical health than ever before. They are also
increasingly aware…and mistrusting…of all the personal
data brands are collecting.
WHAT CONSUMERS ARE
THINKING...
Consumers have more smart devices than ever before, and
thus they are generating more personal data at their
fingertips than ever, but they are also growing more
protective and aware of that data than ever before.
WHAT CONSUMERS ARE
DOING...
For brands, the rise of 'AI You' signifies a shift towards
hyper-personalization. Success will hinge on being
transparent and building trust, and then leveraging AI to
craft individualized user experiences, with technology
that anticipates consumer's unique preferences and
behaviors.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR
BRANDS...
03

18. Universal Connectivity Breakthroughs in language and sound
technology, aiming for accessible and
inclusive communication.
04

19. Innovations in language and sound technology are
opening doors to universal connectivity. The
developments seen at CES 2024, like advanced
translation devices, are pivotal in breaking down
language barriers, promising a future where
communication is accessible to all, regardless of
language or disability.
Breaking Language Barriers

20. Nuance Audio Glasses are engineered with state-of-the-art hearing
technology, offering consumers with mild to moderate hearing loss a
seamless and stylish solution that integrates advanced auditory
assistance into everyday wear.
Nuance Audio Glasses
04

21. Timekettle X1
04
Timekettle’s AI Interpreter Hub device offers end-to-end for
multilingual simultaneous communication, providing real-time
interpretation and can be paired with multiple hubs to provide multi-
way interpretation for up to 20 people in 5 languages.

22. Consumers are prioritizing accessibility more than ever,
with a keen focus on technologies that enhance quality
of life and relationships.
WHAT CONSUMERS ARE
THINKING...
Consumers are actively seeking solutions that support
longevity and independence, enhancing their daily lives
and fostering connections across generations, abilities,
and geographies.
WHAT CONSUMERS ARE
DOING...
Brands must harness innovations that craft experiences
that are not just communicative but truly connective,
fostering a world where every interaction is accessible
and inclusive.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR
BRANDS...
04

23. Pet Care Parallels Human Care Pet care technologies are mirroring
human care.
05

24. In the world of pet care, we're witnessing a paradigm
shift. Pets are now considered family, and their care
reflects that. Advances in technology, like those seen
at CES 2024, are enabling pet parents to provide care
that parallels human care, from health monitoring to
emotional well-being.
A New Family Dynamic

25. The Oro Dog Companion Robot is an AI pet nanny that features remote
audio-video interaction, treat dispensing, a ball thrower for fetch, and an
automatic food bowl with scheduled releases
Oro Dog Companion Robot
05

26. Minitailz Smart Collar
05
Minitailz allows you to easily monitor your pet’s heart health, position,
activity, and behavior, revealing groundbreaking insights into your
pet’s health and detecting early changes before any severe issues
arise.

27. Pet owners view their pets as family, seeking ways to
ensure their comfort and happiness with thoughtful,
human-level care and attention.
WHAT CONSUMERS ARE
THINKING...
Both younger generations delaying family life and older
individuals living longer are investing in pet care for
companionship, with pets offering emotional support and
encouraging active lifestyles.
WHAT CONSUMERS ARE
DOING...
Pet care presents an opportunity for brands to
innovate, adapting to a market where pets are valued
as family and demand for human-like care solutions is
growing.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR
BRANDS...
05

28. Nostalgia Meets Innovation The rising trend of Retro-Tech,
combining nostalgic designs with
advanced technology for emotional
resonance and ethical consideration.
06

29. There's a growing trend of 'Retro-Tech' - modern
technology wrapped in nostalgia. This blend appeals
to consumers' emotional connections with the past
while providing the latest technological advancements,
striking a balance between comfort and innovation.
The Rise of Retro-Tech

30. LG's DukeBox reimagines the classic jukebox, blending nostalgic design
with Transparent OLED to offer a multisensory experience for the
contemporary audiophile.
LG DukeBox
06

31. Clicks for iPhone
06
Clicks is a blackberry-style keypad & case for your iPhone, Clicks
provides maximum screen size, tactile typing, and hot keys also
allow scrolling sites, launching search, and returning to your home
screen.

32. With rise of Generative-AI, consumers are considering the balance
been technology’s advancement and the ethical and
environmental implications, as well as what it means for their own
data privacy.
WHAT CONSUMERS ARE
THINKING...
Consumers seek comfort and safety as wars continue, global
elections loom, and job security in the face of AI remains
uncertain.
WHAT CONSUMERS ARE
DOING...
Brands can capture market interest by developing
Retro-Tech that offers emotional nostalgia coupled
with modern reliability, differentiating in a tech-
saturated landscape.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR
BRANDS...
06

33. Implications for Consumers
Empowerment through Technology
Consumers are increasingly leveraging technology
to enhance lifestyle choices, from health monitoring
to pet care, seeking empowerment and peace of
mind.
Privacy and Trust
As tech advances, consumers grow cautious about
data privacy, demanding transparency and security
in exchange for personal data.
Seeking Connection
There's a growing emphasis on technologies that
foster human connection, be it through language or
shared experiences.
The Comfort of Nostalgia
In uncertain times, consumers gravitate towards
products that offer a blend of nostalgia and modern
functionality, seeking comfort in the familiar.

34. Implications for Brands
Personalization
Brands must focus on developing solutions that are
both innovative and highly personalized, addressing
specific consumer needs and lifestyles.
Building Trust
Success hinges on a brand's ability to establish and
maintain consumer trust, particularly in handling
sensitive data.
Fostering Inclusivity
There's a significant opportunity for brands to
create experiences that are not just technologically
advanced but also emotionally resonant and
inclusive.
Leveraging Nostalgia
Brands can differentiate themselves by tapping into
the consumer's love for nostalgia, offering products
that blend the old with the new.

35. AI can empower
enhanced lifestyle
choices and foster
deeper connections.
For brands, the path forward lies in
developing personalized, trustworthy,
and inclusive products. Embracing the
blend of nostalgia with innovation can
also be a strategic differentiator in a
technology-saturated market. As we
embrace these trends, the future
looks promising, with technology as a
pivotal partner in our daily lives.
Conclusion

36. ADAM HOUSLEY
VP, Senior Director of Digital Innovation
Omnicom Health Group
housley.adam@gmail.com