After many years sharing technology leadership in the TV category at CES in Las Vegas, Panasonic seems to have left the bragging rights to perennial competitors Samsung and LG. While it did launch a cutting edge unit at CES this week, its emphasis was on its innovation and integration across numerous categories of consumer technology.
Its new Panasonic HZ2000 OLED TV is expertly built by collaboration between Hollywood professionals and Panasonic and Technics engineers to appeal to cinephiles. It is claimed to be the first OLED TV to support Dolby Vision IQ and Filmmaker Mode, using Panasonic’s Master HDR OLED Professional Edition panel to deliver more peak brightness.
Translated, however, it means that it is bringing similar technology to bear on improving the viewing experience as other leading TV makers. It is across other categories of gadgets that Panasonic stands apart.
It unveiled three of the industry’s smallest and lightest 4K 60p camcorders, the HC-X1500, HC-X2000 and AC-CX10, which offer a high standard of on-site mobility and portability, as well as high-quality 4K 60p recording capability. A wide-angle 25mm Lens and 32x i.zoom (4K recording) achieve high-spec optical performance thanks to high-precision AF, which also provides high-speed, accurate focusing for both 4K and Full-HD shooting.
The new models have a variety of professional functions, such as Two Manual Rings, an ND Filter, a Built-in LED Video Light, and 24-bit High Resolution Linear PCM Audio Recording. Users can further customise the recording formats according to the shooting environment or preference.
Panasonic also announced that it has developed the world’s first High Dynamic Range (HDR) capable ultra-high definition (UHD) virtual reality (VR) eyeglasses, with a comfortable fit that feels like regular glasses.
They are designed in anticipation of commercial 5G connectivity, enabling s a number of new services like VR sports viewing and engaging virtual travel experiences. While conventional VR glasses with high-quality images and high sound quality provide users with highly immersive simulated experiences, these glasses tend to be big in size and require users to strap them to their head with a headband, which could cause wearer discomfort.
For the new VR glasses, Panasonic has developed a high performance display device in cooperation with Kopin Corporation, a leading manufacturer of display devices for VR glasses. Panasonic’s audio and visual technologies have been incorporated into this new device, including signal processing technologies cultivated through the development of video equipment such as TVs and Blu-ray Disc players, acoustic technologies of Technics audio products, and optical technologies used in LUMIX digital cameras. These technologies enabled Panasonic to achieve compact and lightweight VR glasses offering high-quality images and optimal sound that deliver realistic sensations drawing the user into the images projected before their eyes, while in the comfort of wearing eyeglasses.
Visit the next page to read about Panasonic’s smart home technology, connected vehicle technology, and cybersecurity products.
Panasonic’s HomeHawk Floor, named a CES 2020 Innovation Awards Honoree in the Smart Home category, is a home security device designed for smart, discreet and reliable home monitoring.
Unlike traditional security cameras that look like security cameras, the Floor combines a slim, ambient floor lamp with a near-invisible camera system that blends into any decor. It can discreetly keep an eye on pets, kids, elderly parents and belongings from a smart device. Placed in a corner or along a wall in a living room or other interior space, the Floor functions as a sleek designer lamp with ambient lighting.
It incorporates an inconspicuous 1080p Full HD-camera with colour night vision, and motion-activated video recording/storage. Battery power backup provides power for one hour of video recording in the event of power loss or if the system is unintentionally unplugged. For any occasion when monitoring is not required or necessary, the camera includes a privacy mode that can be turned on or off from a phone or tablet. Once activated, camera and microphone functions are fully disabled.
The Floor includes geo-fencing to control camera settings using the GPS in the phone. With geo-fencing one can, for instance, program ar smart phone to turn on the camera automatically when one leaves the house and turn it off on returning. HomeHawk Floor is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to display camera images, turn ambient light on/off and brighten/dim.
Visit the next page for an overview of other technology showcased or launched by Panasonic at CES 2020.
CIRRUS by Panasonic
Connected vehicles that communicate with other cars and infrastructure can help make roads safer and reduce CO2 emissions and congestion, while giving traffic managers real-time actionable data to re-route traffic and dispatch emergency crews. In 2020, Panasonic will be running one of the nation’s most advanced transportation data networks, connecting roadways in Utah, Georgia and Colorado. Winner of the CES 2020 Innovation Award – Honoree in Vehicle Intelligence & Transportation, CIRRUS by Panasonic is a connected vehicle data platform that can improve safety and mobility on the road by sharing data between vehicles, infrastructure, roadways and traffic operators in real time. The centrepiece of a smart transportation ecosystem, CIRRUS by Panasonic provides cloud analytics data processing, real-time analysis and transmission, and data storage capabilities for sharing and updating vehicles and municipalities with road conditions, operations and other safety information. CIRRUS by Panasonic is accessible, adaptable, extensible and secure, developed using industry V2X standards so that it can be easily integrated into existing transportation systems. CIRRUS by Panasonic will be demonstrated in a replica of a transportation network operations centre.
Tropos Electrical Industrial Vehicles
Panasonic is advancing hyper-efficient electric compact utility vehicles (eCUV) through a collaboration with Tropos Motors. Featuring electrification and connectivity solutions that enable a variety of use cases, the low-speed eCUV addresses the needs of businesses and government agencies with the capabilities of a larger truck in a smaller package. At CES, Panasonic will be showcasing 2 Tropos eCUV concept trucks: an emergency fire truck and a refrigeration cargo truck. Both trucks are operational and available now.
Hussmann Smart Exchange Locker
The Smart Exchange Locker brings a “last mile solution” to the streets. When ordering groceries online, you can select a locker location nearest to you and have the items delivered there. And with smart technology allowing for the delivery boxes to be set to appropriate temperatures, they easily accommodate chilled or frozen goods. There is also an ambient side for traditional grocery such as canned goods or dog food.
OneConnect Connectivity for Harley-Davidson® LiveWire™ Electric Motorcycles and 2020 Touring Models
Panasonic is connecting riders to Harley-Davidson motorcycle models beyond LiveWire. In 2020, Panasonic will also connect 2020 Harley-Davidson Touring motorcycle models, equipped with H-D Connect Service, designed to enhance the motorcycle experience by connecting riders to their motorcycle through a cellular connection to the telematics control unit (TCU) utilizing Panasonic’s OneConnect™ service. The H-D Connect™ service allows owners to connect remotely to their motorcycle to view key vehicle health information to ensure their bike is ready for that next ride. Visitors to the booth can experience the thrill of a real-feel demo ride of LiveWire.
Automotive eCockpit Solutions
Panasonic will be showcasing its latest fully connected eCockpit concept. The technology platform integrates Panasonic’s proprietary SkipGen 3.0 in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) system with Google’s Android Automotive OS running on Android 10. In a Karma SC-1 concept vehicle, SkipGen 3.0 is paired with the next generation cockpit domain controller, SPYDR 3.0. At the core, the single brain SPYDR 3.0 acts as a hypervisor and is capable of driving up to eleven displays. Both SkipGen 3.0 and SPYDR 3.0 are connected and powered by Panasonic’s proprietary software and cloud platform, OneConnectSM. Whether sending or receiving key infotainment messages on the run, this advanced cockpit system can also seamlessly run multimedia streaming or gaming applications for passenger and rear seat entertainment.
- SPYDR 3.0 is the next evolution of Panasonic’s cockpit domain controller. SPYDR 3.0 features 4K display resolution with multimedia streaming and can effectively support up to eleven information or entertainment displays in a vehicle. As such, this platform is capable of driving a variation of head-up displays, infotainment displays, rear seat and passenger seat displays all from a single brain system. Content streaming can range from interactive gaming on today’s most popular systems to streaming video via the owner’s application of choice. The show exhibit will include a live play gaming demo.
- SkipGen 3.0 IVI is Panasonic’s third generation in-vehicle infotainment system running on Google’s Android Automotive OS, Android 10 and is also equipped with Qualcomm’s Gen 3 processor Snapdragon 8155/6155. As Google’s reference hardware supplier, Panasonic designs SkipGen 3.0 to deliver the most advanced infotainment spectrum of assistance and entertainment features available. Many of these features can be seamlessly controlled and activated by voice. SkipGen 3.0 will also proudly support SiriusXM with 360L, the next generation content platform with 200 live channel choices via both satellite and streaming.
- Panasonic’s OneConnectSM global platform ensures vehicles are maintained and up to date by providing predictive maintenance reminders to the driver, while providing analytics via the platform to the OEM and end consumer. According to Statista, by 2023, there will be over 342 million connected vehicles worldwide. As represented in the concept vehicle, OneConnectSM analytics can be customized to focus on electric vehicle data to create algorithms that improve battery efficiency to optimize short and long-term state of health of the vehicle. OneConnectSM analytics and data can be stored or accessed through SkipGen or SPYDR and transferred between the OEM, the vehicle and the end consumer.
WHILL Next Autonomous Wheelchair
Featuring sensors for object recognition and autonomous driving software from Panasonic, the electric wheelchair by WHILL has passenger assisted robotic technology for safe and comfortable movement indoors. WHILL Next includes automatic braking to prevent collisions, autonomous mobility, and an automatic following function for ease of traveling in a family or group, the perfect accessibility solution enabling attendees and spectators at Tokyo2020.
Whether it’s our hardware, software, platform solutions, or services, everything Panasonic Avionics Corporation does is designed to pioneer the passenger experiences that make our airline partners the most valuable, desirable and differentiated.
Arc Inflight Map Platform
Panasonic’s state-of-the-art 3D inflight map application brings a range of new capabilities and is inspired by the latest design thinking of digital and gaming experiences. Arc leverages the high viewership of inflight moving maps with an omnichannel approach and is the industry’s first personalized map. Built as a gateway to the inflight entertainment experience, Arc is so much more than just a map; Arc brings ‘geotainment’ with interactive, contextual content to the inflight experience.
Visit the next page to read about Panasonic’s cybersecurity products.
High Speed Projection Mapping
Whether you call it table tennis or Ping-Pong, experience a game with high speed projection mapping that creates an entirely new visual experience to amplify the excitement of sporting and entertainment events. The system can detect the movement of the tiny objects, like a Ping-Pong ball, moving at high speed, enabling the instantaneous creation of dynamic projected content based on real-time movement. It takes only .000016 seconds from detection to projection, making sports and entertainment events more exciting and enjoyable.
Technics SL-1200MK7 Turntable
Derived from the original Technics SL -1200, this sleek direct drive turntable system was designed with DJs in mind. It is packed with sound-enhancing technologies and boasts the popular reverse playback functionality.
HomeX
The integrated home experience platform is the blueprint to make everyday life better. Through advanced analytics and learning algorithms, HomeX adapts to your patterns and behaviors, allowing appliances, electronics and services to adjust to be more personalized to accommodate and anticipate your needs.
Life Touchpoint
Connected Homeware is Panasonic’s answer to the need for an integrated, personalized home experience. By combining functions under the entire home environment, Connected Homeware can deliver an optimized home solution that is fine-tuned to the needs of each individual. This creates a more comfortable and entertaining environment. And, by connecting to a platform such as HomeX, Connected Homeware delivers a seamless experience to users.
Activity Sensing Technology
New activity sensing technology learns to predict your behavior and support your routine. The activity sensing platform specializes in the understanding of human behavior by processing and analyzing data from multiple sensors, enabling more comfort and personalization for the home.
Home Cybersecurity
Panasonic offers a new approach to detect and repel cyberattacks for IoT devices such as smart home and connected vehicles. The cybersecurity solution protects IoT devices in the local network by countering malicious control commands. The system can adapt to evolving threats, while recording security status to the cloud. The system’s AI engine identifies suspicious events through data analysis and helps maintain network security throughout the life cycle of connected devices.
Human Insight Technology
Panasonic’s human insight technology offers a new level of understanding of physical and mental states. Panasonic’s human insight technology can provide data to make recommendations to improve the individual’s experience at home, in their place of business or in public spaces. Human insight technology uses non-invasive sensor and imaging to capture and interpret data based on human habits and behaviors. Through analysis of this physical stress data, it becomes possible to design products and environments more optimized for typical human movements and physiology. At CES, participants can see human insight technology in action through an interactive yoga studio.
HomeHawk FLOOR
A CES 2020 Innovation Awards honoree, the Panasonic HomeHawk FLOOR combines a slim, ambient floor lamp with a near-invisible camera system. Unlike traditional security cameras that look like security cameras, HomeHawk FLOOR blends into any décor for smart, discreet and reliable home monitoring so you can keep an eye on pets, kids, elderly parents and your belongings from your smart device.
eBike Certification by UL
Panasonic’s eBike has achieved the industry’s first eBike Safety Standard Certification in North America. The eBike standard safety criteria were developed by a panel of industry leaders and government officials and published in early 2020 by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the not-for-profit safety standards development organization and leading safety science company. The number one eBike drive system manufacturer in Japan with more than 40% market share, Panasonic has helped grow the popularity and advancements of electric bicycles around the world. Working with UL, Panasonic is helping meet the growing needs of the U.S. market by driving industry-wide safeguards that would protect riders and their equipment.