Top 5 Takeaways CES 2024

Interested in hearing Anzu’s takeaways from CES? Jimmy Kan , John Ho , Steven Battista and Whitney Haring-Smith weigh in with their thoughts. If you attended as well, drop your highlights in the comments.

#1 The AI Burger

The recent CES showcased a pivotal shift with the introduction of "AI PCs" - laptops, tablets, and desktops with enhanced AI processing capabilities for tasks such as computer vision and audio processing. This shift was highlighted by Intel's Core Ultra series launch, representing one of the biggest architectural advancements in decades.

Industry giants like 英伟达 , 英特尔 , AMD and 高通 are focusing on AI-centric processors, underscoring low latency, high privacy, and advanced computer vision and generative AI features. This trend extends to major laptop manufacturers and firms like 微软 , who are integrating AI more deeply into user interfaces and systems.

This evolution emphasizes the growing importance of AI performance in computing devices, requiring innovative technologies for substantial growth in on-device AI capabilities, beyond the trajectory of Moore's law. In this context, our portfolio company EnCharge AI emerges as a key player, offering technologies essential for sustaining and advancing this rapid growth in AI compute capabilities with the industry’s most efficient AI chips.

#2 We Cut The Data Cord; Now We Are Cutting Power Cords

If you attended CES a decade ago, you may recall the focus was on cutting the ethernet cable. Now, it’s all about cutting the power cord altogether. Aspinity, Inc. , one of Anzu’s portfolio companies, is developing technology that enables myriad functions in analog beyond inferencing and is an extremely effective solution for ultra-lower power, always-on sensing at the edge. While we’re nowhere near a “power cord-free” world of electronics, there is major work being done to reduce cords for smaller, low-power devices and we’ll be keeping a close watch on the space.

#3 Transparent Is the New Black

Transparent technology is well underway to being implemented in TVs, cars and smartphones. The see-through panels allow for a more immersive visual display experience for consumers, and a cleaner, sleeker appearance for product designers.

Why are transparent screens so important? There’s a trend afoot to put the sensors in our smartphones (like the ones we use for FACE ID) underneath the display. To make this work, however, the display needs to be transparent. An Anzu portfolio company, OTI Lumionics , is developing a novel set of materials that allow the metal layers in a smartphone to self-assemble and create microstructures needed for increased light transmission.

#4 Cars Are the New Computers

Cars are not simply for getting around anymore. Automakers are stocking vehicles with substantial computing power to improve the experience of driving. Hyundai Motor Group , Tesla , and Mercedes-Benz AG , for example, are adapting AI processors that aim to lead to safer and more intuitive driving experiences.

Cars are also turning into living rooms, where seats are being designed to include high-definition displays for gaming, movies, Internet access and more. Imagine wood finishes inside your car that double as transparent screens, controlling your windows and radio.

Anzu’s portfolio company, Azumo , is manufacturing novel transparent films that can be driven by a single LED and coupled with touch. This enables any surface to become a smart surface, lighting up when you want to interact with it but otherwise remaining an invisible fixture of the interior design when you don’t. Azumo’s films can also be used to actively control the viewing angle of displays in the cabin, which enhances the passenger experience while ensuring safe driving practices.

While the driver was once the most important person in the car, we’re seeing a shift of focus to the passenger experience, because soon, drivers may be a thing of the past.

#5 Don’t Overlook the Design and Source Hall

This can be the hidden gem at CES, one that's often overlooked. It’s where design and manufacturing companies, many from Asia, come to make deals. This year, it was packed with companies and their senior leadership demonstrating a broad range of capabilities and solutions.

Our advice is simple: don’t miss the Design and Source Hall. Instead, go and go early, leaving time for follow up meetings. For Anzu, helping our companies build resilient supply chains to achieve operational excellence is part of our model - and securing deals at the show can save not only the lengthy and costly process of finding a partner, but it may also save months and tens of thousands of dollars down the road.