What we learned about China tech at the Consumer Electronics Show 2016
Chinese companies made up more than a quarter of exhibitors at the international trade fair, exhibiting everything from a passenger drone to robots, virtual reality sets ... and an allegedly patent-infringing hoverboard
A Batmobile-like electric car, a yogi robot and a passenger drone – these were just some of the innovative products Chinese companies exhibited at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES), where they are increasingly making their presence felt.
The four-day trade fair, held in Las Vegas this month, saw a big rise in Chinese exhibitors. According to tech news site ifanr.com, more than 1,100 Chinese companies exhibited at CES 2016, double the number last year and accounting for 27 per cent of the exhibitors this year.
Drone maker Ehang showed the world’s first passenger drone. The Ehang 184 can carry a single passenger weighing up to 100kg at a speed of 100km/h for a23 minutes, according to the company.
Like helicopters, the Ehang 184 lands vertically, eliminating the need for runways. Its simple tablet controls make it easy to operate and users will not require a pilot’s licence to fly one. However, laws may need changing before drone enthusiasts can pilot the Ehang 184 themselves.
Derrick Xiong, co-founder of Ehang, said the drone represents an entirely new category of technology and is in “uncharted waters” as a means of transport. Xiong said Ehang was working closely with governments to develop regulations for the industry.