Spotlight shines on AI, EVs at electronics trade show

From AI-powered pet companions to automated EV charging and preventive healthcare that blends Eastern and Western medical philosophies, Chinese technology companies drew sustained attention at the Consumer Electronics Show, 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 puppy perked up and scanned the crowd, surprising onlookers with its responsiveness.

Designed for pets that require emotional engagement similar 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.

"The Western healthcare system is largely reactive, excelling in diagnosis and treatment, while Eastern medicine, particularly traditional Chinese medicine, emphasizes prevention," said Ryan Yuen, a representative from Hong Kong-based Dayton Industrial.

"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.

"I've been working with xTool for over two years now," said Jaccobb Romero, a partner from Ossian, Indiana. "I use their AI to turn flat photos into 3D images engraved in glass, and most of them are flawless."

xTool opened its US headquarters in Mountain View, California, in the summer of 2025, marking a major step in its localization strategy to support US makers, educators and small businesses.

"China can take a product from an idea to the market much faster than most countries. That ability to identify a problem and deliver a solution quickly is still rare in the US," he said.

A strong collective presence from Beijing further underscored China's AI momentum. Zhongguancun Science City led a delegation of 24 technology companies to CES. More than 90 percent of the exhibits featured AI-powered applications, ranging from robotics and smart wearables to intelligent home systems.

Among them was Realsee, which originated as the VR lab of Beike, China's largest integrated online-offline housing transaction and services platform. Realsee's 3D virtual tour technology was developed to improve transparency and efficiency in real estate listings.

"A lot of people in China know our parent company, Beike," said Tanya Tsai from Realsee's Bellevue, Washington, office. "We have a clear strategy to expand globally. We now hold more than 610 patents across over 60 countries, and we are very proud of that."

renali@chinadalyusa.com