Between multiple days of scheduled meetings and presenting at the GENIVI Alliance showcase, I was able to take time to walk around the CES expo halls. Although I wasn't able to check out the entire entire expo (I would have needed more than three days), I made sure to see the newest 8K TVs, eat Impossible Pork (which I would certainly eat again!), and see the newest concept cars. Even though CES crosses multiple industries, one of the main themes I noticed across the board is the rise in connectivity and the ecosystems that we all live in and operate in today.
With the increase of digital connectivity, consumers are expecting on-demand experiences in everything they do. At Slice, we have always defined "on-demand" as being about more than just time; it is equally important that the product fits consumers' lifestyles and expectations. As consumers trend towards brands/solutions that offer end-to-end ecosystems instead of standalone products or services, innovative companies are able to offer more personalized and convenient experiences.
Connectivity and ecosystems can be defined in many ways, so I thought I would highlight some of the best examples I saw at CES:
- Invasion of the Smart Home Device: We have gone from smart locks, security cameras and smart speakers to bluetooth-enabled smart toothbrushes, Alexa speaker shower heads, or a toilet paper robot in only a few short years. When consumers perceive the value, they are willing to share data and allow technology to be present in their most private moments.
- OEMs aren’t in the car business anymore, they are in the mobility business: As consumer habits and attitudes towards car ownership change, OEMs are changing with them. While concept vehicles were everywhere, there are a few consistent themes across vehicles being launched in 2020 and 2021, including: fully electric models, updated infotainment systems (including voice assistant and multiple entertainment screens with video streaming service) and multiple-degrees of self-driving/safety capabilities. Hyundai is even looking past traditional vehicles and, in partnership with Uber, released a concept flying taxi.
- Airline travel experience begins before you reach the airport: Delta Airlines is reimagining air-travel passenger experiences; they believe that that experience begins before and after a passenger is on an actual airplane. Through innovative technology, Delta is promising to offer a personalized and convenient travel experience before you leave your house (ticket buying experience), at the airport (faster security checks), during your flight (entertainment options), and even after landing (have your bags delivered directly to your hotel).
We see then that ecosystems have become more than just about the core offering, but also about the auxiliary services that support them. The brands that will win in the long run are the brands that offer the most personalization, the most convenience, and the most complete breadth of offerings. The customer experience of the future will be fully integrated, on-demand, and truly connected.
If you're as excited about these topics as I am, reach out to me. If you'd like to learn more about Slice's role in ecosystems, go here.
