Every year, during the first week of January, one of the world's biggest technology trade shows takes place in Las Vegas.  It's the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), and The Gospel Herald will be attending CES 2016 to see what technology will be showcased. Here is some technology to look forward to at CES 2016, with a possible emphasis on driverless cars. 

The International Consumer Electronics Show will bring in technology companies from all around the world.  It is sponsored by the Consumer Technology Association, formerly the Consumer Electronics Association, and it is held in two places on the official dates of January 6 through January 9.  The first place is the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), and all of the four giant spaces (North Hall, Central Hall, Upstairs South Hall, and Lower Level South Hall) are filled with many booths representing the best in the tech business.  CES can also be found at the Venetian Hotel and Casino, and many technological advancements will be on display there.  In fact, the entire city of Vegas has parties, events, and other happenings going on when CES comes to town. 

Even though the show doesn't start until Wednesday, January 6, many events are going on before that.  On Monday, January 4, CES really begins to kick off with CES Unveiled, an event designed to welcome the media as several companies will be showing off their new products.  Then on Tuesday, January 5, CES Press day begins as there will be press conferences from the big names in technology including Fitbit, Bosch, LG, Ultra-D, Monster, Huawei, Panasonic, VOXX International, Qualcomm, Casio, Toyota, and more.

There will be over 2,000 new products that will be unveiled at CES.  Much of the ones from the big tech companies like Samsung and LG and smaller companies will also be on display, and usually are available for purchase by consumers shortly afterward.  The true purpose of the convention is to have buyers from big retailers come and promise to purchase a certain amount of products for a certain price. 

Generally, there are rumors of smartphones becoming available at CES, but they usually don't come true.  Last year, it was expected that the Samsung and Sony would announce their Galaxy S6 and Xperia Z4 devices, but this didn't happen. 

According to a CES Press Release, Dr. Herbert Diess, the chairman of the board of management of Volkswagen Passenger Cars will deliver a keynote address at CES 2016, on 8:30 PM on Tuesday, January 5, 2016.  Dr. Diess will use the stage to launch an all-electric concept car, made to show off the Internet of Things in the automotive industry.    

There is usually some new technology that gets a lot of press at a certain CES.  One year, it was 3D TVs, then another fitness bands, then smartwatches, and this year, the highlight of the show will most likely be driverless cars., which isn't just from the Volkswagen announcement. The automotive area this year has increased by 25 percent, and the demand for self-driving cars is just going to rise.  There will probably be a lot of VR technology on display as the area that displays that has risen by 80 percent.