CES 2025: NVIDIA, Sony, Toyota, Samsung Announcements & Highlights

CES 2025: Key Announcements and Reveals

The annual CES (Consumer Electronics Show) event for 2025 has commenced in Las Vegas. Representatives from TechCrunch are reporting live from the show floor, providing updates on the newest product announcements and unveilings.

Monday marked Press Day at CES 2025, showcasing keynote presentations from industry leaders.

Featured Keynote Speakers

Several major companies delivered keynote addresses on Press Day. These included prominent names such as Samsung, Nvidia, Toyota, and Sony, among others.

Top Announcements from Press Day

A comprehensive list of the most significant announcements originating from CES 2025’s Press Day is provided below.

• Details regarding each announcement will be continuously updated throughout the event.
• Expect coverage of innovations across various tech sectors.
• The latest developments in automotive technology, gaming, and consumer electronics will be highlighted.

Stay tuned for ongoing coverage as TechCrunch delivers the latest news from CES 2025.

Nvidia Captivates Attendees with AI-Focused Announcements

Jensen Huang, Founder and CEO of Nvidia, concluded the CES Press Day with a presentation centered around a multitude of announcements and key highlights pertaining to artificial intelligence.

Among the most noteworthy reveals was Project Digits, conceptualized as a “personal AI supercomputer.” This initiative aims to broaden access to the company’s Grace Blackwell Superchip through a more compact design. However, initial availability remains limited; select Digits devices are slated for release in May at a price point of $3,000, with further specifications to be disclosed later this year.

Nvidia also announced its exploration into the realm of world models. These AI models are designed to mimic the cognitive processes humans employ when constructing their understanding of the world.

Furthermore, the company introduced Cosmos World Foundation Models, which will initially concentrate on “physics-based simulation and synthetic data generation.” A comprehensive breakdown of the model’s intricacies is available in a dedicated article.

In the field of robotics, Nvidia’s innovative Blueprints modality enables users to instruct robots on performing tasks and actions through demonstrations facilitated by the Apple Vision Pro.

Huang’s complete address encompassed a wealth of additional information and can be viewed in its entirety below.

Afeela Pricing Announced by Sony Alongside CES Entertainment Focus

Sony’s presentation at the Consumer Electronics Show didn’t heavily emphasize new hardware announcements. Instead, the company largely concentrated on the entertainment aspects of its operations.

The Afeela electric vehicle, developed collaboratively with Honda, was advanced toward its market release with the announcement of an $89,900 starting price.

Preorders for the vehicle were also initiated during the event.

Creator Technology and Entertainment Partnerships

A significant portion of Sony’s showcase centered on technologies designed for content creators, such as the XYN spatial content creation tools.

Several projects currently in development, either internally at Sony or in collaboration with external studios, were also revealed.

Upcoming Entertainment Projects

• Movie adaptations of Horizon Zero Dawn and Helldivers were announced.
• Details regarding Sony’s forthcoming lineup of Demon Slayer anime films were presented.
• An anime series based on Ghosts of Tsushima, intended for the Crunchyroll streaming platform, was also highlighted.

Sony acquired Crunchyroll in 2021.

The complete press conference recording is available for viewing below.

Positive Outlook for 2025 Tech Spending, Contingent on Trade Policies

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the organization responsible for the CES event, has presented an optimistic forecast regarding consumer expenditure on technology within the United States for the year 2025.

Their projections indicate a record-breaking $537 billion is anticipated to be invested in technological products. However, this figure is subject to a significant potential decrease.

Potential Impact of Proposed Tariffs

Should the proposed tariffs advocated by President-elect Donald Trump be implemented, U.S. consumer purchasing capacity could be negatively affected.

The CTA estimates that this could lead to a reduction in tech spending ranging from $90 billion to $143 billion.

This highlights the sensitivity of the technology market to shifts in trade policy and its potential influence on consumer behavior.

Anker Expands Portable Power Options for Outdoor Use

Anker, a well-known manufacturer of charging solutions, has introduced a novel approach to portable power. They’ve developed a charger integrated into the design of a beach umbrella.

This innovative umbrella utilizes solar energy to provide device charging via a USB-C connection, delivering up to 80 watts of power.

Key Features and Availability

The solar-powered umbrella represents a unique form factor in Anker’s extensive charger lineup.

Consumers can anticipate its availability during the upcoming summer season.

Samsung Announces Date for Upcoming Event

Following a now-established pattern, Samsung will be hosting a dedicated event to unveil its latest mobile devices. The company concluded its CES 2025 presentation by announcing that the next Samsung Unpacked event, featuring the Galaxy S25 series, is scheduled for January 22nd.

Event Details and Expectations

In recent years, Samsung has opted to present its flagship mobile hardware at independent events. This strategy allows for a more focused and detailed presentation of its new technologies.

The announcement at CES 2025 confirmed that the upcoming Unpacked event will serve as the platform for the official debut of the Galaxy S25 lineup. Expect a comprehensive overview of the new features and specifications.

Strategic Shift in Product Launches

This approach represents a shift from previous years where Samsung often used CES as a venue for significant mobile announcements. The decision to hold separate events underscores the importance Samsung places on controlling the narrative surrounding its key product releases.

The January 22nd date positions the Galaxy S25 launch early in the year, potentially giving Samsung a competitive advantage in the smartphone market.

Samsung's Ballie Robot: Anticipated 2025 Release

For the past five years, Samsung’s Ballie robot has been showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Now, a projected launch timeframe has been revealed. Samsung has officially stated that Ballie is expected to become available for purchase sometime in 2025.

What is Ballie?

The Ballie robot is characterized by its spherical design. Samsung positions it as a “personal home assistant” capable of independent navigation throughout your home.

It’s designed to perform a variety of tasks autonomously. Crucially, Ballie integrates with and controls your existing smart home appliances.

Development Challenges Remain

Despite the confirmed 2025 target, Samsung acknowledges that further development is necessary before the robot is fully ready for consumers. The path to market still presents certain hurdles.

Ballie’s functionality centers around proactive assistance. It’s intended to move around your home, completing tasks without direct instruction.

The robot’s ability to seamlessly connect to and manage your home’s connected devices is a key feature. This integration aims to simplify home automation.

Charming Gadgets and Robotic Innovations from Yukai Engineering

The desire for a uniquely endearing robotic friend is widespread. At a recent showcase, Yukai Engineering unveiled Mirumi, a robot characterized by its soft texture and emotive capabilities.

This innovative device is designed to attach to a handbag and aims to evoke the same pleasant feelings experienced when observing a baby attempting to engage with people.

Introducing Nekojita FuFu: A Miniature Robotic Assistant

Beyond Mirumi, the company also presented the Nekojita FuFu. This diminutive robotic feline possesses the function of gently cooling beverages or food.

Specifically, the Nekojita FuFu is engineered to blow air onto your tea or soup, providing a convenient method for temperature regulation.

LG’s ‘Affectionate Intelligence’

LG presented innovative methods for controlling your living space via AI systems, a concept they’ve termed “Affectionate Intelligence.” These systems aim to create a more intuitive and responsive home environment.

Personalized AI Experiences

LG showcased its AI agent, LG FURON, and its capacity for individual customization. The agent can be tailored to both the user’s preferences and the specific characteristics of their home.

FURON is capable of proactively offering helpful information. For example, it can monitor temperature settings or provide weather-related advice, such as a reminder to take an umbrella.

Strategic Partnerships and Expanded Services

A significant strategic alliance between LG and Microsoft was also revealed. This collaboration will span across LG’s home, mobility, and commercial product lines.

Furthermore, LG announced enhancements to its cloud gaming platform, specifically designed to improve the Xbox gaming experience.

The expanded cloud gaming service will offer users greater accessibility and performance when playing their favorite Xbox titles.

AMD Introduces New Processor Lineup

AMD has revealed a new collection of processors designed for laptops, desktop computers, and portable gaming devices.

According to the company, their latest gaming processor, the 9950X3D, demonstrates an average performance increase of 8% in commonly played games when contrasted with the 7950X3D.

Next-Generation Processors for Copilot+ PCs

Furthermore, AMD is releasing updated processors intended to drive the functionality of the upcoming Copilot+ PCs.

These include the Ryzen AI 300 series and Ryzen AI Max series, alongside new processors within the Ryzen Z2 series.

The Ryzen Z2 series is specifically tailored for both lightweight computing and gaming applications.

Focus on Performance and Efficiency

The new Ryzen Z2 processors are designed to deliver optimal performance in compact and portable form factors.

This expansion of the Ryzen lineup underscores AMD’s commitment to providing a diverse range of processing solutions for various user needs.

John Deere's New Robotic Lawn Mower

At a recent industry event, John Deere showcased a novel robot lawnmower designed for professional landscaping applications.

This electric-powered device is engineered to function for as long as 10 hours on a single charge.

Furthermore, the mower incorporates 360-degree vision capabilities, allowing for comprehensive environmental awareness.

Automation and the Future of Landscaping

Although quieter in operation compared to traditional gasoline-powered mowers, the introduction of this technology prompts consideration regarding its potential impact on employment within the landscaping sector.

Concerns have been raised about the possible displacement of human workers due to increased automation.

Additional Autonomous Vehicles Unveiled

Beyond the robotic lawnmower, John Deere also presented several other autonomous machines.

• An autonomous 5ML orchard tractor capable of precision crop spraying was announced.
• A larger 9RX tractor, intended for field tillage, was also revealed.
• Finally, a self-operating articulated dump truck, specifically designed for use in quarry environments, was introduced.

These new vehicles demonstrate John Deere’s commitment to developing a full suite of autonomous solutions for the agricultural and landscaping industries.

Toyota Investigates Potential in Rocket Technology

During recent presentations, Toyota provided progress reports on the Woven City project. This ambitious undertaking involves constructing a futuristic community situated at the foot of Mt. Fuji, initially unveiled at CES 2020.

Akio Toyoda, the CEO, highlighted the advancements made in robotic capabilities. A demonstration showcased robot arms learning to fold shirts with the precision of traditional Japanese techniques, illustrating their refined dexterity.

Exploring New Frontiers

A surprising announcement was made regarding Toyota’s interest in space exploration. Mr. Toyoda stated the company is currently “exploring rockets” as a potential area of development.

Specifics regarding this initiative were not disclosed at the time. However, a visual rendering of a rocket was presented.

The rocket design was created by Interstellar Technologies, a Japanese spaceflight organization. This collaboration suggests a potential partnership in Toyota’s exploration of aerospace technology.

• The Woven City project remains a key focus for Toyota’s future innovation.
• Robotics are being developed to achieve high levels of precision and adaptability.
• Toyota is investigating the feasibility of entering the rocket technology sector.

Further details regarding Toyota’s rocket exploration are anticipated as the project progresses. The company’s move signals a broadening of its technological ambitions beyond automotive engineering.

Discover Recipes from Your TV Screen

During Sunday’s announcements, Samsung introduced Samsung Food, an innovative function for its 2025 television models.

This new capability leverages AI technology to identify dishes displayed on the screen.

How Samsung Food Works

The system is designed to recognize food items as they appear on your TV.

Once a food item is identified, the feature automatically generates a corresponding recipe.

Beyond recipe generation, Samsung Food offers additional convenience.

Additional Features

• The feature provides updates on the status of grocery deliveries.
• It also tracks the progress of takeout orders placed via the Samsung Food mobile application.

Users can manage their orders and monitor delivery times directly through their 2025 Samsung TVs.

This integration aims to streamline the cooking and meal planning process for consumers.

The Samsung Food feature is expected to enhance the user experience with Samsung’s 2025 TV lineup.