3D Printing Expected To Take Center Stage At CES 2014

CES 2014 is just around the corner, and the convention always seem to have a central focus as we’ve seen products like high-end televisions and tablets take center stage during recent years. Next January’s show, however, will likely be overwhelmed by a relative newcomer in consumer electronics – 3D printers.

“Consumer 3D printing is now big enough to warrant its own exhibit area at the 2014 CES”, said Gary Shapiro, CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association. He was in London with other CEA members, ratcheting up interest in the CEA’s event that takes place in January in Las Vegas. “The 3D printing tech zone has sold out”, said Shapiro. The new zone will complement other zones focused on motion tech, robotics, and other electronics.

Shapiro expects to see 20,000 new products launched at the trade show from more than 3,200 different exhibitors. He also anticipates some 150,000 industry associates and members of the media from more than 150 countries will come together in Las Vegas to attend the show.

Shapiro mentioned there will be two hackathons held during the show and for the first time ever, there will be two keynotes – one from Audi Chairman Rupert Stadler and another from Intel CEO Brian Krzanich. Other themes expected to be featured heavily during the show include tablets, sensors embedded in products and mass customization.

The event starts on January the 7th 2014 and runs through January 10th although pre-show festivities and events for members of the press begin a couple of days earlier on January the 5th.

Thank you Tom’s Hardware and Cnet for providing us with this information.

Images courtesy of Tom’s Hardware and Cnet.