By Kim Hyun-bin
Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won are expected to attend the world's largest consumer electronics and IT expo, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2022, in Last Vegas in early January.
CES is referred to as one of the world's top three home appliance and IT expos, along with the IFA (Internationale Funkausstellung, or Consumer Electronics Unlimited) in Berlin, Germany, and the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain.
"Hyundai Motor Group is preparing to send Chairman Chung to the CES," an industry official familiar with the matter said Wednesday.
| Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun |
However, Hyundai Motor Group did not attend the CES held earlier this year, for the first time in 13 years, as the event was held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It will be more meaningful for Chung this time around, as Hyundai Motor, Genesis and Kia Corp. have swept major global awards for marketability and outstanding value in the automobile industry.
The company has racked up six out of 10 worldwide "Car of the Year" awards announced by renowned U.S. and European automobile groups, with Hyundai Motor Group receiving more overall "Car of the Year" awards than any other global carmaker.
Chairman Chung often has been known to draw attention by introducing the conglomerate's future technologies during media conferences at CES events in the past.
In 2020, he also directly unveiled Hyundai Motor Group's future mobility solutions, such as urban air mobility (UAM), purpose-based mobility (PBV) and mobility transfer base.
Hyundai Motor Group is apparently putting a lot of effort into next year's CES, which it will participate in for the first time in two years. It plans to showcase a variety of products and technologies, including hydrogen fuel cells, robotics and UAM, which are considered to be the future drivers of Hyundai Motor Group, as well as autonomous vehicles and dedicated electric vehicles.
Hyundai Motor and Hyundai Mobis will set up booths representing the Hyundai Motor Group at CES 2020 in Las Vegas from January 5th through 8th.
Chey Tae-won, the chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and SK Group, plans to participate in CES 2022 to examine the advanced technologies of global companies and grasp the latest trends in the domestic and foreign markets.
| SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won |
The upcoming CES will be the first one Chey is attending since he became KCCI chairman in March of this year.
| Seen is a concept image of Coway's promotional booth at the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show, which will take place in Las Vegas from Jan. 5 to 8. Courtesy of Coway |
Coway to display smart home appliances
Coway, a local home appliance rental company, is also joining the upcoming tech show.
The company said Wednesday that it will set up both offline and virtual booths for the event, enabling visitors to explore its innovative smart home appliances, such as water purifiers, air purifiers and mattresses.
"Under the theme, 'We innovate for your better life,' Coway is sharing its vision for homes of the future and how next-generation technologies add more convenience to our everyday lives. To offer a glimpse into the future of home technology, Coway will display its innovative water purifiers, air purifiers and mattresses that elevate how we live," the company said.
Coway said that its promotional booth is comprised of four zones: Smart Sleep Solution, Noble, Icon and Airmega. Each of these zones will showcase how Coway's technologies redefine mattresses, water purifiers, air purifiers and bidets.
"It's an honor to bring our latest smart home innovations, borne from 32 years of water, air and design expertise, to CES 2022. We hope these will give an insight into the potential of how Coway's life solutions can shape our future everyday lives," an official at the company said.
According to the U.S. Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the organizer of the event, more than 1,700 companies have registered to participate, and major companies, such as Samsung, SK, LG and Hyundai Motor, are expected to showcase new technologies and products at the event. Overseas companies such as Google, Bosch, Sony, Amazon and Intel will also show off their latest technological achievements.