Las Vegas (United States) (AFP)

The electronics and automotive giants presented their latest innovations and projects on Monday in Las Vegas, where the annual consumer technology show opens (January 7-10).

Coach robots

His name is Ballie, he barely reaches the ankles of humans and claims to rule the household. Samsung's small, colorful balloon-shaped robot tracks its owner and encourages them to exercise.

He also gives orders to the connected devices of the house, including the robot vacuum cleaner when the occupants have left and the dog has overturned the bread basket and put crumbs everywhere.

"Ballie can also take pictures. It helps seniors stay in touch and is a new friend for your kids and pets," said HS Kim, the boss of electronics at Samsung.

Samsung has also unveiled a prototype of augmented reality glasses. They allow you to display in front of you a virtual coach who counts the pumps and the slots. The glasses are coupled with the exoskeleton "Gems", presented a year ago, which is worn on the hips to correct posture.

Imminent takeoff

South Korean Hyundai announced Monday that it will produce flying devices for Uber, which plans to launch a network of shared air taxis in 2023.

The group said in a statement that it would manufacture these 100% electric vehicles, capable of carrying four people, on an industrial scale.

The deal could help Uber achieve its goal of rolling out air taxis in a few cities by 2023.

Jaiwon Shin, head of Hyundai's urban air mobility division, said he expects costs to remain reasonable through large-scale manufacturing.

Custom city

Toyota intends to create a 70-hectare "woven city" at the foot of Mount Fuji, powered by hydrogen fuel cells, to test autonomous driving and other medium-scale technologies.

"Building a city from scratch, even a small one, represents a unique opportunity to develop technologies, such as a digital infrastructure management system," said group president Akio Toyoda.

About 2,000 people will live in the town, including Toyota employees and visiting researchers.

The Danish architectural firm Bjarke Ingels will collaborate on this project, in particular to build dwellings in durable materials. They will be fitted with connected devices and robots, and will also include sensors to check the occupants' good health.

In terms of mobility, residents will have the choice between different types of autonomous vehicles but also scooters and bikes.

Window shopping on TV

From this year, owners of a LG webOS connected TV will be able to buy items they see on the screen in partner shows, according to the start-up TheTake.

They will also be able to ask questions and get answers in real time about what is happening on the screen, whether it be sports, news or movies.

Media groups NBC Universal, A + E Networks, Crown Media Family Networks and WarbneMedia are partners.

5G for less than $ 500

Around fifty operators have started to deploy 5G networks around the world. Still need to have a compatible phone.

The Chinese electronics giant TCLa offered a preview of 3 new smartphones, including one tailor-made for the latest generation of mobile telephony.

The group promised that they would each cost less than $ 500.

TCL is also working on a smartphone whose screen folds like a book and on a headset that gives its user the impression of watching a 2.8-meter television screen.

Smile, you're being filmed...

... by your TV. The Chinese group Skyworth is launching its new televisions in the United States and in Europe, with their resolution in 8K, integrated technologies of artificial intelligence and cameras directed towards the spectator.

"We think these cameras on TV will become a global trend," said Tony Wang, executive director of Skyworth.

Vertical television

It is already used in South Korea, but it will be available for sale in other countries in 2020: the "Sero" ("vertical" in Korean) from Samsung is a TV that swivels on itself, to pass from horizontal to vertical, like tablets or smartphones.

The combination of artificial intelligence and cameras allows you to make video calls, take photos and also follow movements for physical exercise or video game applications.

© 2020 AFP