The 2024 CES show started today in Las Vegas. As I already reported, I did not expect any new product announcements from Nikon.
In previous years Nikon had a huge photography presence at the show and the cameras/lenses exhibition always took the central stage – you can see previous reports here:
This year Nikon wants to present itself as a “key technology solutions company” – read the latest press release for the details:
TOKYO – Nikon Corporation (Nikon) will exhibit at CES 2024, taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada from January 9 to 12.
As set forth in Medium-Term Management Plan (FY2022 – 2025), Nikon aims to become a key technology solutions company in a global society where humans and machines co-create seamlessly by 2030. At CES 2024, with the theme of “co-create seamlessly” Nikon will showcase its advanced solutions and products in the two areas of “Quality of Life (QOL)” and “Industry”.
In the QOL area, the solutions and products of Life & Entertainment and Healthcare Nikon provides will be displayed.
At the “Life and Entertainment” section, in addition to touch & try of cutting-edge imaging products such as the flagship full-frame mirrorless camera, the Z 9, along with the Z 8 and the Z f, Nikon will also be showcasing smart telescopes ODYSSEY PRO and ODYSSEY which Nikon and Unistellar SAS, France (CEO: Laurent Marfisi) developed jointly.
On top of that, continuing from last year, Nikon will present The Unreal Ride* – a demonstration of the power of motion control and virtual production. Participants will ride in a SUV against the backdrop of a giant LED screen. When captured through the lens it will appear as if they are driving through the woods. The ride is captured by Mark Roberts Motion Control Limited (CEO: Assaff Rawner) – A subsidiary of Nikon’s BOLT TM X high-speed camera robot against an LED volume, with the video footage captured by the Z 9. The Unreal Ride combines both the physical and the virtual world. This advanced technology demonstrates how filmmakers can shoot against any background they can imagine, without being bound by time, season, or place. This activation supports Nikon’s vision for society where people are connected in ways that transcend time and space with imaging production technologies.
In the Healthcare section, Nikon’s microscopes will be exhibited for the first time at CES. Visitors can also enjoy an immersive experience into the invisible world that combines science and art through a microscope of Nikon Small World, a competition recognizing excellence in photography through the light microscope.
With the field of Life & Entertainment and Healthcare, Nikon will support improving quality of life for people through innovation.
*The Unreal Ride is collaborated exhibit with Vū Studio.
In the Industry area, the latest solutions Nikon provides will be exhibited in the fields of Factory and Energy in the Digital Manufacturing area which Nikon particularly focuses on.
At the Factory section, Robot Vision that Nikon is currently developing will be displayed. This robot vision is to be mounted on the end of a robot’s arm, it can identify parts and flexibly process them at high speed, achieving even greater visual acuity than the human eye. With this technology, Nikon envisages a future in which robots will be able to carry out complicated tasks that can currently only be performed by humans.
In addition, in the additive manufacturing field , satellite parts manufactured with Nikon SLM Solutions AG’s metal 3D printer (Laser Powder Bed Fusion method), and turbine blade and combustion chamber processed by the Nikon’s latest generation metal 3D Printer (Directed Energy Deposition method) will be displayed.
Riblet processing will be displayed at the Energy section. Inspired by sharkskin, riblet processing uses laser and microfabrication technology to develop micro-surface structures on the object. This can reduce viscosity frictional loss due to the irregular flow of liquids and gases and improve the energy efficiency of various industrial equipment, and when applied to aircraft, wind turbine blades or other parts used in various industries, it can help reduce fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, and increase power generation efficiency. At the booth, the giant mock-up of aircraft will be displayed to showcase the process along with the samples.
Nikon will provide innovative technology solutions that anticipate and meet our global customer needs and contribute to a better sustainable world where humans and machines co-create seamlessly to solve societal challenges.