• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
TechCES

What it’s like to attend CES during COVID

By
Chris Morris
Chris Morris
Former Contributing Writer
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Chris Morris
Chris Morris
Former Contributing Writer
Down Arrow Button Icon
January 5, 2022, 11:56 AM ET

The Omicron variant hit at the worst possible time for 2022’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES), causing many attendees and companies to scale back or cancel their plans to attend the tech showcase in person. But for an event that has had to adapt quickly to change, there are a number of standout products on display this year.

From automotive tech (and new players in the space) to new high-end TVs, CES 2022 is loaded with interesting, innovative, and occasionally just plain weird technological advances. It’s the only place you can find a car that changes its exterior color, a spacecraft, and a robotic pet that nibbles your finger, within a stone’s throw of one another (assuming you’ve got a really strong arm…CES covers an enormous amount of space). And, despite the pandemic, celebrities are still popping up at the show. Sony, for instance, brought Spider-Man star Tom Holland onstage at its press conference Tuesday.

The crowds that usually make up CES aren’t there this year, so if you were unable to go, be it for health and safety reasons or because you don’t qualify for entry into the show, here’s a look at what it’s like in Las Vegas this week.  

Attendees have their COVID-19 vaccination cards reviewed in order to receive their badges ahead of CES Las Vegas.
Attendees have their COVID-19 vaccination cards reviewed in order to receive badges ahead of CES Las Vegas.
Patrick T. Fallon—AFP/Getty Images
An attendee demonstrates the Shiftall Haritora X full-body tracking system and mutalk microphone for metaverse experiences while wearing an Oculus headset during CES Unveiled.
An attendee demonstrates the Shiftall HaritoraX full-body tracking system and Mutalk microphone for metaverse experiences while wearing an Oculus headset during CES Unveiled.
Patrick T. Fallon—AFP/Getty Images
An attendee places a finger inside the mouth of Yukai Engineering Inc. Amagami Ham Ham play-biting cat robot.
An attendee places a finger inside the mouth of a Yukai Engineering Amagami Ham Ham play-biting cat robot.
Patrick T. Fallon—AFP/Getty Images
BMW showed a new gimmick at CES—the e-ink film on iX, which makes the car change colors.
BMW displayed a new gimmick at CES—the e-ink film on its iX EV, which makes the car change color.
Courtesy of BMW
Chairperson of Sony Pictures Entertainment Thomas Rothman (R) and actor Tom Holland (L) greet each other with a fist-bump during a Sony press event
Chairperson of Sony Pictures Entertainment Thomas Rothman (right) and actor Tom Holland greet each other with a fist-bump during a Sony press event.
Alex Wong—Getty Images
Baracoda Daily Healthtech employee Thomas Serval demonstrates the company's smart mirror
Baracoda health tech employee Thomas Serval demonstrates the company’s smart mirror, which provides personal health data and makeup tutorials.
Ellen Schmidt—AP Images
The Sony Vision-S 02 electric SUV is debuted during the Sony news conference.
The Sony Vision-S 02 electric SUV debuts at the company’s news conference.
Joe Buglewicz—AP Images
<a href="https://fortune.com/company/general-motors/" target="_blank">General Motors</a> Co. Chair and CEO Mary Barra introduces an electric pickup truck.
General Motors Co. Chair and CEO Mary Barra introduces an electric pickup truck.
Kyodo/Reuters
Attendees watch a 360-degree video presentation at the South Korea-based <a href="https://fortune.com/company/sk-holdings/" target="_blank">SK</a> Group boot.
Attendees watch a 360-degree video presentation at the South Korea-based SK Group boot.
Alex Wong—Getty Images
An attendee crosses the finish line while playing a LiDAR monitored game of Red Light Green Light at the South Korea-based SOS LAB company booth.
An attendee crosses the finish line while playing a LiDAR monitored game of Red Light Green Light at the South Korea-based SOS LAB company booth.
Patrick T. Fallon—AFP/Getty Images
Anna Groffsky from the <a href="https://fortune.com/company/samsung-electronics/" target="_blank">Samsung Electronics</a> Inc. Future Generation Lab speaks during the Samsung keynote address.
Anna Groffsky from the Samsung Electronics Future Generation Lab speaks during the company’s keynote address.
Ethan Miller—Getty Images
Attendees try out the Sunflower Light Therapy lamp at the JustLight booth.
Attendees try out the Sunflower Light Therapy lamp at the JustLight booth.
Joe Buglewicz—AP Images
MoonBikes Motors snowbike is the world's first electric snowbike.
MoonBikes Motors presents the world’s first electric snowbike.
Ethan Miller—Getty Images
The Deer & Co.'s John <a href="https://fortune.com/company/deere/" target="_blank">Deere</a> 8R fully autonomous tractor.
The John Deere 8R fully autonomous tractor.
Patrick T. Fallon—AFP/Getty Images
A demonstration of the AIRXOM mask for active protection from the effects of air pollution, bacteria, and viruses including COVID-19.
A demonstration of the Airxom mask for protection from the effects of air pollution, bacteria, and viruses including SARS-CoV-2.
Patrick T. Fallon—AFP/Getty Images
Seung Kyo Kim poses as the Doosan Robotics Inc. NINA, which stands for New Innovation New Angles, camera robot arm quickly moves his cell phone around him.
Ethan Miller—Getty Images
A vehicle with Luminar LiDAR based Proactive Safety pre-collision braking crash avoidance technology stops to avoid a child-sized test dummy as it is demonstrated on a test track.
A vehicle with Luminar lidar-based Proactive Safety braking technology avoids collision with a child-size test dummy.
Patrick T. Fallon—AFP/Getty Images
Attendees take pictures and interact with the Engineered Arts Ameca humanoid robot with artificial intelligence.
Attendees take pictures and interact with the Engineered Arts Ameca humanoid robot with artificial intelligence.
Patrick T. Fallon—AFP/Getty Images
A full sized crew model of the Sierra Space Dream Chaser space plane.
A full-size crew model of the Sierra Space Dream Chaser space plane.
Patrick T. Fallon—AFP/Getty Images
Abbott Chairman of the Board and CEO Robert B. Ford introduces the company’s Lingo biowearables portfolio of products.
Ethan Miller—Getty Images
The Prinker digital temporary tattoo device.
Alex Wong—Getty Images
An attendee checks out a zero-emissions SkyDrive flying car.
An attendee checks out a zero-emissions SkyDrive flying car.
Steve Marcus—Reuters
Samsung Electronics Inc. Vice Chairman and CEO Jong-Hee Han delivers a keynote address.
Samsung Electronics vice chairman and CEO Jong-Hee Han delivers a keynote address.
Ethan Miller—Getty Images

Never miss a story: Follow your favorite topics and authors to get a personalized email with the journalism that matters most to you.

About the Author
By Chris MorrisFormer Contributing Writer

Chris Morris is a former contributing writer at Fortune, covering everything from general business news to the video game and theme park industries.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Tech

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Tech

TOPSHOT - Alphabet Inc. and Google CEO Sundar Pichai speaks during the inauguration of a Google Artificial Intelligence (AI) hub in Paris on February 15, 2024. (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD / AFP via Getty Images)
AIGoogle
Half of Google’s and Amazon’s ‘blowout AI profits’ came from a stake in Anthropic—not from their actual business
By Eva RoytburgApril 30, 2026
2 minutes ago
Elon Musk arrives at the courthouse during his trial against OpenAI
CryptoElon Musk
Elon Musk likes Bitcoin—but he just told a jury most crypto coins are scams
By Jack KubinecApril 30, 2026
1 hour ago
Jamie Dimon, chief executive officer of JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co., at the Norges Bank Investment Management annual investment conference in Oslo, Norway, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
EconomyJamie Dimon
For years, the risk Jamie Dimon was most concerned about was geopolitics. His answer has shifted
By Eleanor PringleApril 30, 2026
2 hours ago
google
InvestingMarkets
Google shares hit all-time high on blowout earnings, market cap doubles to $4.4 trillion in just a year
By Michael Liedtke and The Associated PressApril 30, 2026
3 hours ago
AWS
Big TechMarkets
Amazon’s cloud sales are growing the most in 15 quarters. Investors sent the stock down on AI capex fears
By Anne D'Innocenzio and The Associated PressApril 30, 2026
3 hours ago
AstraZeneca CFO Aradhana Sarin
BankingCFO Daily
How AstraZeneca’s 17,000 AI-certified employees are helping it reach a ‘stretch goal’ of $80 billion in revenue
By Sheryl EstradaApril 30, 2026
5 hours ago

Most Popular

Apple cofounder Ronald Wayne—whose stake would be worth up to $400 billion had he not sold it in 1976—says that at 91, he has no regrets
Success
Apple cofounder Ronald Wayne—whose stake would be worth up to $400 billion had he not sold it in 1976—says that at 91, he has no regrets
By Preston ForeApril 27, 2026
3 days ago
‘They left me no choice’: Powell isn’t going anywhere—blocking Trump from another Fed appointee
Banking
‘They left me no choice’: Powell isn’t going anywhere—blocking Trump from another Fed appointee
By Eva RoytburgApril 29, 2026
22 hours ago
Jamie Dimon gets candid about national debt: ‘There will be a bond crisis, and then we’ll have to deal with it’
Economy
Jamie Dimon gets candid about national debt: ‘There will be a bond crisis, and then we’ll have to deal with it’
By Eleanor PringleApril 29, 2026
1 day ago
‘The cost of compute is far beyond the costs of the employees’: Nvidia executive says right now AI is more expensive than paying human workers
AI
‘The cost of compute is far beyond the costs of the employees’: Nvidia executive says right now AI is more expensive than paying human workers
By Sasha RogelbergApril 28, 2026
2 days ago
Google Cloud revenue is now 18% of Alphabet's business. Is this the beginning of the end of Google's search identity?
Big Tech
Google Cloud revenue is now 18% of Alphabet's business. Is this the beginning of the end of Google's search identity?
By Alexei OreskovicApril 29, 2026
15 hours ago
‘Take the money and run’: Johns Hopkins economist Steve Hanke on why the UAE quit OPEC
Energy
‘Take the money and run’: Johns Hopkins economist Steve Hanke on why the UAE quit OPEC
By Shawn TullyApril 29, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.