AI, EV tech takes center stage at consumer show

From AI-powered pet monitors to automated EV charging and healthcare technology that blends Eastern and Western medicine, Chinese companies drew sustained attention at CES, highlighting both technological depth and growing global collaboration.

At uCloudlink's GlocalMe booth, visitors watched as a puppy reacted instantly when its owner, Claire, called its name through PetPhone, a concept device designed to hang around a pet's neck like a miniature smartphone. The canine perked up and scanned the crowd, surprising onlookers with its responsiveness.

Designed to emotionally engage pets similarly to humans, the device reflects a broader rethink of AI-enabled connectivity, according to Larry Jin, global branding director of uCloudlink.

"We want to inspire people to think beyond food, water and sleep," Jin told China Daily. PetPhone is designed to maintain emotional bonds when owners and pets are apart. Sensors can detect signs of anxiety or agitation and send alerts to owners, who can then initiate a remote "voice call" to help calm the animal.

Autel, a global provider of EV charging and energy solutions, drew crowds with its automated charging robot, capable of aligning and connecting charging cables to vehicles without human intervention. The company also showcased an inspection robot designed for routine monitoring at large facilities and fleet charging stations, aiming to free workers from repetitive tasks.

Abubakar Yussif, a representative from Ghana's Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment, was impressed by the robot's performance.

"They did very well. I really liked the robot's response," Yussif told China Daily. "I wasn't surprised, given the ISO standards for EV charging sockets. What the robot demonstrated was spot on."

"This technology shows exactly what we need: movement toward internationally recognized standards," he said.

AI-driven integration of Eastern and Western healthcare approaches was another prominent theme. LINK2CARE, a next-generation preventive-health wearable platform, unveiled Watch2Care, a smartwatch that combines traditional Chinese medicine concepts with real-world health data and advanced AI systems.

"By applying data and AI technologies, we integrate the strengths of both systems, identifying subtle imbalances in the body's five organ systems early, before they develop into symptoms or more serious health complications."

xTool, a global leader in desktop laser cutters and smart fabrication tools, maintained one of the busiest booths at the show.

More than 90 percent of the exhibits featured AI-powered applications, ranging from robotics and smart wearables to intelligent home systems.