Korean firms head to CES 2023 to showcase innovative technologies

LAS VEGAS, NV – A growing number of South Korea’s leading companies and startups are heading to CES 2023, the world’s largest tech exhibition, to showcase their state-of-the-art technologies to win the hearts of tech-savvy consumers.

According to the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), which hosts CES 2023, 598 Korean companies, including 355 startups, have set up booths at the Las Vegas, Nevada exhibition site.

The total number represents a 20% increase from the previous year. It also means one in every five companies participating in the event is Korean.

The US is sending the largest number of companies to CES 2023 with 1,486 firms. Other major participating countries at the show, which takes place from Jan. 5 to Jan. 8, are China (504 firms, including electric vehicle maker BYD Co.), France (232), Taiwan (175), Canada (82), Italy (67), Japan (60), Turkey (60), Germany (59), Switzerland (37) and the UK (35).

SAMSUNG DX CHIEF TO HOLD A PRESSER

At the trade show, Han Jong-hee, Samsung Electronics Co.’s vice chairman in charge of the tech giant’s Device eXperience (DX) division, will hold a press conference to unveil the company’s latest Galaxy line of smartphones.

Samsung said it will showcase connectivity between intelligent home appliances, including washing machines and dryers and wearables such as smartphones and smartwatches.

At IFA 2022, Europe’s biggest tech show, held in Berlin in September, Samsung unveiled SmartThings, a platform that enables users to manage different products on a single app.

Samsung’s crosstown rival, LG Electronics Inc. plans to show off its newest OLED gaming monitors, AI-powered sound-bar audio systems and other smart gadgets.

LG will also unveil the world's largest 721-liter built-in refrigerator at CES 2023.

Samsung and LG have already swept a record number of innovation awards from the CTA for products to be showcased at CES 2023.

SK Group said Chairman Chey Tae-won is attending the event for the first time as the group head. Other SK Group executives accompanying him are Chey Jae-won, senior vice chairman of battery maker SK On Co., Vice Chairman Chey Chang-won of SK Discovery Co., an eco-friendly chemical materials maker, and Cho Dae-sik, chairman of SK Supex, the group’s top decision-making body.

SK Hynix Inc. and other group affiliates are jointly setting up an ESG-themed booth to showcase their eco-friendly technology.

HD Hyundai, formerly known as Hyundai Heavy Industries Group, will feature Chief Executive Chung Ki-sun to discuss the group’s marine and shipbuilding vision.

HYUNDAI TO FOCUS ON FUTURE MOBILITY AT CES

Hyundai Mobis Co., the auto parts unit of Hyundai Motor Group, will showcase cutting-edge technologies for purpose-built vehicles (PBVs).

Particularly, the company will unveil two PBV concept models – M Vision TO and M Vision HI, self-driving futuristic electric vehicles.

From Lotte Group, two affiliates are attending the event. While Lotte Data Communication Co.’s booth will focus on the metaverse and electric charging systems, Lotte Healthcare Co. will unveil Cazzle, its custom-tailored healthcare platform.

Hyundai Motor Co. and Doosan Group said they are not setting up booths at CES 2023.

However, last month, Hyundai and its US mobility joint venture Motional Inc. began testing IONIQ 5 robotaxis on public roads in Las Vegas and other US cities to prepare for a global commercial self-driving service.

In partnership with Uber and Lyft, Motional plans to run a robotaxi service with a human driver in the vehicle for safety in the first half and offer an unmanned self-driving service in the second half.

Write to Sang-eun Lucia Lee, Il-Gue Kim and Jong-Woo Kim at selee@hankyung.com
In-Soo Nam edited this article.