CES 2016: A digital retrospective

Feb. 9, 2016
While not attending, let's see what the show brought out for law enforcement. Is any of it indicative for what police might soon see?

CES has traditionally held a stereotype in my eye. If some high tech device needs a camera, if some battery powered uni-tasker needed a place to get a ton of attention, if a I needed to have a reason to resent the size and resolution of my television - there was no place better. Over the years, though, law enforcement "usable" tech has made it way into its booths. I wasn't able to attend, but that won't stop me from digging online. Let's take a "digital retrospective" and examine a few of the show's announcements. There's a chance we might be looking at some potential future police tech.

But before dreaming of self-driving cars (they were there). And before losing yourself in the strangeness of virtual reality goggles and smart glasses (you'll find them too).

Let's get realistic practical

Early on, CES held an Innovation Awards. These were announced mid-November 2015, celebrated at a New York event, and showcased at the January event. The recipient of Eco-Design and Sustainable Technology was the Pilot Electronics' ECO USBCell rechargeable battery doesn't get any more simple than the name. Think of the pile of AA batteries - I know there's a stock nearby. This company developed an attachment "cap" for a lithium rechargeable battery and let's you power it up by USB. What's simpler than that?

The website shows the AA and AAA models. They claim it'll have a 2 hour charge time and able to cycles 500 times over. The site claims "minimal self-discharge," that it charges 3X faster than a NiMH rechargeable, and with minimal capacity degradation. Whether you know it or not, you already are familiar with the manufacturer: Foxconn, the same people responsible for the Apple iPhones. 

Drones basically stole the show.

Yes, typical unmanned vehicles had new high resolution cameras integrated. They became smaller, sleeker, better. It's the unmanned part the Chinese company Ehang didn't exactly like, apparently. Their prototype, the 184, is an all-electronic vehicle with four rotors to get a single person up in the air. The site says it recharges within 2 to 4 hours . As a prototype, this is an exciting place to start. 

Here's where I get confused. The typical UAV is unmanned. It says it right in the name. The 184 puts someone inside yet a lot of people still call this a drone. Isn't this a battery-powered personal helicopter? Will this be the Segway of the helicopter industry? Yes and no; the human isn't exactly necessary. The drone name stays because it's still auto-pilot controlled, apparently one programs in the controls while the human - a mere passenger now - goes along for the ride.

There's the 184's massive price too. It ranges from $200,000 to $300,000. And you can't even control it (yet) while inside? I doubt many officers will be jumping at the chance. If I'm understanding correctly, the company does have passenger controls in mind for the future. But with a current 23-minute flight time, it's flying roughly $8,695 per minute. With (much) better battery pack providing longer flight time and range, and pilot controls, we may be at the cusp of something for quick air support. Sensors and cameras are only getting better and lighter weight, install a covert thermal sensor like the NOPTIC and any running suspects will quickly exhaust places to hide. However, the 184 won't be taking place of the patrol helicopter, the millions of dollars those cost are providing a role that prototypes just can't overtake quite yet.

It might not have been AT the show, but "during" my CES investigation uncovered another drone advancement - one law enforcement might actually be able to realistically see in the years to come. A group led by an associate professor at Michigan Tech developed a net launcher ... and put it on a drone, dubbed "Robotic Falcon." All I see is a way to help future law enforcement enforce the drone registration law and capture any unwanted drones. Or merely quickly fly their own UAV in the air and stop an attempt to drop anything over prison walls without firing into the air. The Falcon's concept was inspired by the D.C. helicopter hobbiest flying into White House air space. Any captured drones, according to the design, are connected by tether to be brought to safety.

These aren't the ONLY law enforcement-related products or technology announced or available. We've seen a million things twisted by creative officers to be put to effective use on duty. Best guess to what's being developed next.

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