- Oct 4, 2008
Tech-pert Panel Recognizes the Most Innovative Technologies at CEATEC JAPAN 2008
October 2, 2008 (SAN FRANCISCO) - American technology thought leaders forming the Tech-pert Panel recognized the most innovative products at CEATEC JAPAN 2008. This independent advisory panel, assembled by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) San Francisco, viewed hundreds of technologies, services and products debuting at CEATEC JAPAN 2008. They identified exhibitor technologies based on innovation and potential influence in the U.S. market in categories ranging from home entertainment, mobile phones, transportation technologies and technology components.
"In two words, I would summarize CEATEC JAPAN 2008 as globally relevant. The products and designs were relevant to lifestyle needs as well as global and environmental concerns," said Josh Fruhlinger, Engadget.com, "While the products remain aspirational, there was a certain feeling that manufacturers were thinking more about 'what should we do' and less about 'what could we do.' This resulted in products like the Panasonic EZ Touch Remote which combines a completely breakthrough device, graphic user interface along with an aesthetically pleasing and energy-efficient design."
The panel, led by Greentech Media senior analyst and former CNET editor at large, Michael Kanellos, also includes Tom Samiljan, executive producer of AOL's Switched.com; Josh Fruhlinger, editorial director of Engadget.com; Mark Seavy, senior editor of Consumer Electronics Daily; and Kevin Sintumuang, associate editor of GQ Magazine. Joining the panel were contributing analysts Richard Doherty, director of Envisioneering Group; Auri Rahimzadeh, CEO and senior analyst of T.A.G.; and Sabrina Doherty, digital lifestyle editor of Envisioneering Group. The judges and analysts used the following selection criteria when considering the wide range of items viewed at CEATEC JAPAN:
The technology, product or service must be on exhibit at CEATEC JAPAN 2008
-The technology should show some sort of influence, relevance or potential impact for the United States market
-Based on the opinion and experience of the panel, the technology should show great innovation, and this could include a unique function
-A technology may also be recognized for offering consumers ease-of-use
-The technology should offer a unique solution for an emerging need
-The panel also considered unique design or aesthetic
Each panelist scoured the show floor for two days then met and discussed technologies, products, prototypes and concepts for consideration. They narrowed the selection to three or four nominees in 12 categories including seven technology categories and five trend categories. Then, the group voted and debated the final grouping. All technology categories were considered equally and the panelists were encouraged to make their selection based on the criteria above.
"One of the most prevalent ideas at the show this year was collaboration. Joint efforts are becoming more common and powerful. Sharp and Pioneer produced award winning technology [Sharp XS-1 with Pioneer speaker bar]; at the same time, Nissan, NTT Docomo, and Sharp also produced an award winning product [Built-in Intelligent Key]," said Michael Kanellos of Greentech Media, "These companies worked together on tying the car, PC and mobile phone. We would like to coin CEATEC JAPAN 2008 the year of collaboration."
CEATEC JAPAN 2008 Tech-pert Panel Category Award Winners included the following technologies:
Technology Category: Imaging
Winner: JVC Everio
Technology Category: Software
Winner: KDDI Real Space X-ray Vision
Technology Category: Components
Winner: Toshiba SCiB Rechargeable Battery
Technology Category: Transportation Technologies
Winner: Nissan/NTT Docomo/Sharp Built-in Intelligent Key
Technology Category: Networking
Winner: Omron SX-4 Optical Subassembly for HDMI Transmission
Technology Category: Display
Winner: Sharp Aquos XS-1
Technology Category: Mobile Phone
Winner: Sharp Tegaki Chat
When you consider the prevalent themes at CEATEC JAPAN 2008, Kanellos went on to say, "2008 was also the year for green technology. Nearly every major TV maker emphasized how they have cut power consumption in their sets. The Green IT Pavilion also showcased several ways to cut energy in datacenters. Japan has had a large renewable energy industry for years, and I expect it to become more prevalent as environmental and energy concerns grow."
CEATEC JAPAN 2008 Tech-pert Panel Trend Award Winners included the following technologies:
Trend Category: Interface Design
The first trend category, best interface design, was created in consideration of products that had a unique user experience and thoughtful approach to the interface.
Winner: Panasonic EZ Touch Remote
Trend Category: Product Design
This category included products that clearly incorporated a groundbreaking design aesthetic.
Product Design Winner: KDDI Ply Phone
Trend Category: Best Concept
This category includes technologies that seem to look outside of conventional wisdom for unique solutions but still remain conceptual in nature.
Best Concept Winner: NTT Docomo Handy Separating Mobile Phone
Trend Category: Green Technology
One of the most important trend categories at the show was green technology. The panel was overwhelmed by the green solutions for the home, car and business.
Green Technology Winner: Panasonic Smart Home Concept Zone 1
Trend Category: Technological Achievement
The panel decided to recognize certain companies that truly achieved what no company has done before, the nominees included first ever achievements.
Technological Achievement Winner: JVC 8K Projector
The panel and contributing analysts selected one technology in particular to recognize as the "Best of CEATEC JAPAN 2008." This technology was selected from all of the nominees and winners and was chosen for many different reasons but most notably because it represents the ideal combination of potential impact or interest in the United States, ground-breaking innovative thinking, ease of use and game-changing function.
Award for Best of Show: Panasonic EZ Touch Remote
The panel noted that the EZ Touch Remote is more than a breakthrough in interface design; it is a completely different experience in TV viewing for consumers and it was designed to be extremely energy-efficient, using less battery power than remotes of similar functionality.
The panel also felt strongly that the following nominees deserve attention and credit for their outstanding contributions. Some of the highlights of outstanding nominees include:
-ST Microelectronics' Smart Plug was nominated in several categories including software and networking solutions.
-In the category for transportation technologies, Fujitsu's Train Operation Simulation System was also recognized.
-The Omnivision High Dynamic Range Sensor for High Contrast Environments is a nominee for best imaging technology.
-ASA Color LED Caps were also a strong contender for the technology components category.
-Mitsubishi's Real (LF2000) was also nominated in several categories for networking and design.
-Hitachi showed Geomation Farm software that was a thoughtful approach to green agriculture.
-Gesture and 3D technology were overwhelmingly popular at CEATEC 2008 including nominations for Fujisoft, Pioneer and Hitachi
-Finally, one of the most notable nominees, Kumamoto University developed a Vision Based Car Navigation System or VINCAS.
Following CEATEC JAPAN 2008, the Tech-pert Panel plans to participate in a round table discussion at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2009 in Las Vegas hosted by CEATEC to share their insights into the future of the industry.
For more information on these and other technologies on display at CEATEC JAPAN 2008, please go to the Tech-pert Panel Channel. Stay tuned over the next week for more video from the floor.
Also, for more information on CEATEC JAPAN 2008, please visit http://www.ceatec.com.
Press Contacts:
Julie Law
Cohn & Wolfe
+1 818-486-1857
julie.law@cohnwolfe.com
Dupe Bosu
Cohn & Wolfe
+1 310 526 5524
dupe.bosu@cohnwolfe.com
Links
[URL]
http://www2.ceatec.com/2008/ja/webmagazine/detail.html?mag_vol=067&mag_type=Web_A_00
Tech-pert Panel
