With CES 2018 wrapping up, a number of LA tech companies had exciting product news to share with the tech world.
Santa Monica-based security startup Ring started off the week with a bang, making its first-ever acquisition of Cleveland-based smart light developer Mr. Beams for an undisclosed sum, but that wouldn't be the only news the company had to share this week. At the convention, the Ring team showed off a line of new security devices, including two new indoor/outdoor security cameras and a line of smart outdoor lights, which the company will call Ring Beams in homage to their first acquisition. [Press Release]
It's been roughly two weeks since we heard about Arts District-based Hyperloop One, but CES gave the transportation startup time to show off what it's been working on of late. This week, the company revealed the app future hyperloop riders will use to plan trips and navigate from city to city, and then on to their final destination. The company also used the event as a place to show off the first-generation Virgin Hyperloop One XP-1 pod — which recently reached 240 miles per hour in a test — to the public for the first time. [CNET]
Back in 2016, Built In LA profiled Labinot Bytyqi, a man who went from war refugee to tech entrepreneur, and oversaw one of the most successful Kickstarter campaigns ever in the process. This week, his startup, Solaborate, pulled back the curtains on a suite of new products, including HELLO 2 Creator Edition, HELLO Touch TV and two new HELLO gadgets: a game controller and a programmable button capable of connecting to and controlling all smart devices in one's household. [Solaborate]
Lumzag, a recently-launched wearable e-commerce startup, debuted its flagship Smart Backpack for CES attendees. No word on when the device, which comes with features like an anti-theft alarm, built-in rear-facing camera, solar panel and mobile charging station, will be available for purchase. [Press Release]
TiTAN Platform, a company that was founded in South Korea but now also boasts a major presence in Santa Monica, announced the TiTAN AI Robot this week, a smart assistant that uses facial and speech recognition that makes it capable to interpret emotions (unlike yours truly) and make recommendations accordingly. So if you find yourself watching the Kings play the Ducks and Anze Kopitar roofs it backhanded past John Gibson, the robot will know exactly what song you want to hear when you exclaim, "Robot! Play my jam!" [Press Release]
Playa Vista-based Belkin International, which was one of LA's first major tech companies, had a ton of news to share this week. In addition to new wireless charging stations, the company unveiled Phyn, a smart water assistant that tracks a household's water supply and monitors for anything from micro-leaks to blockages and even burst pipes. [The Verge]
Van Nuys-based Payscout, a fintech company that helps businesses process payments, revealed earlier this week that it had achieved the first ever frictionless donation executed on a virtual reality platform. The company's enterprise VR application, which integrates with Visa Checkout, allowing users to donate all within a virtual environment. [Press Release]
