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While CITE 2018 is running at Shenzhen right now, Global Sources Electronics show, one of the world’s largest electronics sourcing events also kicks off in Hong Kong, located right next to Shenzhen. What’s worth people’s attention is the composition of Shenzhen enterprises taking up around 60 percent of the show booths. Debuting this spring is the AI Experience Zone with the latest artificial intelligence technologies and interactive exhibits. Other highlights include smart living, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and navigation, and voice-activated devices. Startup Launchpad is staged at the show with altogether 200 startups from 14 countries and regions to showcase new innovations covering IoT, wearables, smart home and many more. You will see a lot of Shenzhen enterprises at the show.

According to Tommy Wong, President of Global Sources Electronics Group, Global Sources Electronics show consists of two phases – Consumer Electronics and Mobile Electronics. You will realize the importance of this show to Shenzhen enterprises wishing to tap into overseas market. “Buyers can spend the morning in Hong Kong at shows and then head to Shenzhen or neighboring factory plants to discuss production details,” said Wong.

Shenzhen enterprises develop sub-segments in AI field

At Global Sources Electronics show, AI products drew much attention. Many made-in-Shenzhen AI products built on Amazon Alexa and Google Home are on display. This reflects the trend of subdivided segments and the cultivation of vertical markets.

“Alexa, please turn on the humidifier”, “Alexa, let’s play a game”… Some visitors are talking to different sorts of smart audio visual products, humidifiers and even desk lamps.

“With the integration of Alexa, our humidifiers are picking up sales, and voice-activated features deliver a fun experience to consumers,” said a representative from Rainbow Technologies which focuses on electronic components and technologies. “AI technology brings enterprises with development and markets with many more options available to them.”

Alpinor, sharing similar products and marketing strategy, chose to incorporate intelligent voice assistant with desk lamps. Representatives of this Shenzhen Longjiang Company said that there are rather limited choices of desk lamp makers with well-developed AI solutions currently. Hence, market competition is not that fierce. “Our company’s core competitive edge lies in prompt response to hardware and product manufacturing.”

In reality, AI technology is being applied across a more sub-divided segment. At the show, there is a translation pen that can instantly convert the Chinese spoken language into English. A representative from Shenzhen Jun Jia Hao Technology Co., Ltd. said that the company used to engage in Hi-Fi manufacturing, but it chose to focus on the AI trend, hoping to let people enjoy what AI technology can bring to us. “In order to bring products to the markets, it takes front-end, new and high technology to create sub-markets.”

Smart living evolves with AI

For now, smart living is on the upswing, and geared by AI technology, smart living is undergoing a rapid revolution. With voice-activated devices, we can already easily control home appliances such as fans, air-cons, and air purifiers at home. 

At Global Sources Electronics show, Shenzhen CoolKit Technologies Co. Ltd. is a smart living solution. By integrating chips into conventional home appliances, products are made with more intelligence and are integrated with the cloud. Built on ZigBee technology, the solution is featured with advantage of high cost-effectiveness and low consumption. Shenzhen MicroNature Innovation Technology Co., Ltd. also launched a ZigBee infrared control device called MindAI. The Company's algorithm engineer Zhang Qinqin said that MindAI can save 20 percent energy, and it can carry out regular analysis of customer habits with big data and cloud computing technology to bring about comfortable environment while reducing energy consumption all at once.

Steven Zhou, Secretary General of China Smart Home Industry Alliance, shared his view at the smart home summit which is hosted at the show. He said the more connection scenarios of smart homes and consumer needs, the bigger the market will grow. He believes that the market is filled with all sorts of smart home living products and it is likely to evolve in the future.

“There is ample room for AI to develop in China,” said Tommy Wong. He also stated that the U.S. is still leading in the commercial use of AI for now. Some Shenzhen enterprises are determined to work on incorporating AI features to their products, but that doesn't imply that development will occur strictly from within the box. “It’s the same as Shenzhen enterprises like Huawei with regard to 5G development, AI products by Shenzhen enterprises are going to play a leading role in the world and are set to be a role model to the U.S. and European countries,” said Wong.