No tech revolutions at CES, but plenty of progress to note

If you were hoping for a complete technology revolution at CES this year, you might be a little disappointed. The initial impression of the show is that many of the same themes from last year: ­ virtual reality, high-definition TVs, connected home and wearable tech ­have all arrived for another outing in Las Vegas.

But it’s the evolution of the technology that is important this year. Smart products that are easier to use, integrate with other systems and work for the consumer: witness wearable technology that is becoming actually wearable, such as L’Oreal’s super thin UV patch that feels almost like skin.

Drones may be big, but none were bigger than EHang’s 184 that is big enough to carry a person. The drone ­ named after one passenger, eight propellers and four arms ­will take you to your chosen destination once you put it into its smartphone app.

Elsewhere, a home-brewing robot was creating a bit of a stir, with PicoBrew making the idea of concocting your own beer at home a more attainable one. The product can produce a brew from pre-packed ingredients and online recipes in only a couple of hours.

CES is generally seen as setting the tone for the rest of the year in the technology world, and 2016 will be no exception. The event has grown bigger each year, taking in new technologies such as augmented and virtual reality, unmanned aerial systems and an increasing focus on family and baby tech.

Irish company

Irish company Mcor was showing off its latest 3D printer, the Mcor Arke, the world's first, full-colour, desktop 3D printer. The device is designed as a low­cost, reliable way to bring 3D printing to the desktop, and the new printer has changed its adhesive technique to reduce the length of time it takes to produce the finished object. That means it'a about four times faster than its predecessor.

Mcor has already caught the attention of CES. The company is taking a CES Best of Innovation Award, one of the top honours at the event, for the Arke.

Away from the main show floor in the Las Vegas Convention centre, there are plenty of innovative startups to note, and according to the Consumer Electronics Association, startups exhibiting since 2012 have raised more than $1 billion (€0.9bn) in funding.

Around 500 startups are exhibiting at the event, surpassing last year’s 375.

CES runs until Saturday, with more than 3,600 exhibitors taking part.