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Consumer Electronics Daily News 2 1 Friday, January 6, 2017 HOW RETAILERS CAN PLAN FOR USB-C FUTURE By Colin Vose, Ventev Mobile, Engineering Product Manager The USB-C-powered future is almost here. A number of USB-C devices hit the market in 2016, from Google's Pixel to phones from HTC and LG. By the end of 2019, it's estimated that a whopping two billion USB-C gadgets will be shipped globally. How can retailers plan for this seis- mic shift? We gathered some of their most common questions about the change and what they can do now. What's so special about USB-C? There's no question that USB-C will become the dominant connector in devices of all kinds. It can deliver more power and transfer data faster, meaning it's not only valuable for mobile devices, but for powering laptops, cameras, mon- itors, printers and other hardware. It means one cable will be able to do it all, from charging your computer to connect- ing a second display to powering your phone. It will replace most, if not all of the cables we use today. When will USB-C become the dominant standard? Until more devices add a USB-C port, Micro USB will remain the king connec- tor for mobile devices. We can't say for sure when that will change, but a similar shift from several years ago offers clues. When Apple introduced its Lightning™ con- nector and phased out the old 30-pin connector, the shift didn't happen overnight. It was a transi- tion over years as old 30-pin devices were replaced with Lightning devices. Micro USB will have a similar tran- sition period, but unlike the 30-pin con- nector, it won't disappear forever. Wearables and other small devices that charge at a slower rate will likely retain their Micro USB ports, since there aren't as many benefits to some devices making the switch. When should you start stocking USB-C accessories? It depends on what's selling. Have USB- C on hand if HTC and LG phones are your best sellers. If Apple and Samsung are the only manufacturers you sell, maybe hold off a bit. Keep an eye on sales and which new devices add USB-C ports to determine how many USB-C, Micro USB and Apple Lightning cables to carry. What should we tell customers who are on the fence about USB-C? Your customers – and you – may be skep- tical about the value of switching to USB-C. After all, mobile devices evolve quickly, and what's big now sometimes doesn't exist in a couple years. Tell them not to worry – USB-C is durable, and it has staying potential. It's designed to grow with the power and data delivery that devices can handle, and should remain the go-to cable for years to come. For more information, visit www .ventev.com or stop by booth #36429. LEDDARTECH SHOWCASES LIDAR SOLUTIONS FOR MASS-MARKET AUTONOMOUS DRIVING DEPLOYMENTS LeddarTech, the leader in solid-state LiDAR for the automotive market, is showcasing three new 2D and 3D solid- state LiDAR solutions at CES 2017. Presented publicly for the first time, these systems demonstrate the scalabili- ty of Leddar technology and its ability to meet the high levels of performance, resolution and cost-effectiveness required by Tier-1 and OEMs for mass- market autonomous driving applica- tions. These LiDAR systems' produc- tion versions will offer resolutions of up to 512 x 64 on a field of view of 120 x 20 degrees, and detection ranges that exceed 200 m for pedestrians and over 300 m for vehicles. LeddarTech also announced that it has established the foundation of the Leddar Ecosystem, which is comprised of specialized component suppliers and partners with leading-edge expertise. This ecosystem, which contributes to the achievement of significant develop- ment milestones, includes companies such as Texas Instruments (TI) for microprocessors, Hamamatsu, Excelitas, OSRAM and TriLumina for optical components, PolySync and Intempora for software development tools, and Global Sensing and AKKA Technologies for perception and navi- gation intelligence software. During CES, Leddar sensing solu- tions for automotive applications is also being showcased by various high- profile exhibitors, including Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), Magneti Marelli, OSRAM, FEV, TI, DLH Bowles and TriLumina. Additionally, automotive supplier Valeo will be demoing its Leddar-based solid-state LiDAR sensor at its booth on the Central Plaza. LeddarTech's latest advances in solid-state LiDAR tech- nology, which deliver both high reso- lution and long range in a small, robust package, are foreseen as the cost-effec- tive answer to expensive, bulky scan- ning LiDARs being used today in autonomous vehicle development pro- grams. These new solid-state solutions make LiDAR sensors available at vol- ume pricing below the $100 threshold, meeting cost levels, which will enable the successful commercial deployment of semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicles. According to Charles Boulanger, Chief Executive Officer of LeddarTech, "Leddar-based solutions bridge today's LiDAR technology gap and will take LiDAR mainstream, as our clients transition from today's autonomous car prototypes to high- volume deployments. The 3D solid- state LiDAR solutions presented at CES reflect the unparalleled strengths of LeddarCore ICs and our compelling automotive development programs currently under way, which stem from LeddarTech team's unique LiDAR expertise." About LeddarTech LeddarTech is the developer of Leddar, a proprietary LiDAR system solution that constitutes a cutting-edge approach in object detection and ranging. Developed over 10 years of R&D, Leddar is a unique combination of advanced light wave signal processing and software algorithms that enables the development of highly customizable and cost-effective sensing devices for multiple markets including automotive, drones, intelligent transport systems (ITS) and industrial automation. LeddarTech is a spin-off of Canada's leading optics and photonics institute, INO. BALDR REAPS SUCCESS IN FIRST FULL YEAR OF BUSINESS An interview with Sarah Lin, Managing Director and Partner of Baldr Electronic LLC. CEDN: Tell our readers a little about your company. SL: Baldr Electronic is a diversified company located in Princeton, New Jersey. We specialize in small household electronic products such as digital clocks, thermo-hygrometers, weather stations and power management units. We launched the business in September of 2015. CEDN: What makes Baldr unique? SL: We are different in that we design and build every product we sell. We adapt to market demands vigorously with tight quality control and effective man- agement of resources. Our U.S.-based office and warehouses ensure speedy order delivery and timely customer sup- port. CEDN: What are you doing this year that's different from what you did last year? SL: Although 2016 was our first full year of business, we are seeing tremendous market potential and growth with our existing product lines even with very minimal marketing efforts. CEDN: What was the most significant event or series of events affecting your company over the past year? SL: We focused on consistently develop- ing new products to meet market demands. In addition to our top seller, the waterproof shower clock, new series like our waterproof Bluetooth speaker and LED radio clock are also being intro- duced during CES. We expect the new lines will significantly contribute to another successful year. CEDN: What do you anticipate to be your greatest challenge in the year ahead? SL: In addition to online retail platforms, we will explore new sale channels through whole- sale and quality distributors. In November 2016, we opened Amazon Canadian market. Going forward, we will put more marketing effort into that option. CEDN: Are you introducing any new products? If so, what distinguishes this new product from others already on the market? SL: Customer experience and feedback is the key to our product development. We discontinued slow moving products and redesigned and enhanced the ones that were popular. In 2017, several trendy new products will be added to each rede- fined category. The new products are slim, have better performance and longer battery lives with improved appearance. CEDN: How's your customer service? SL: Our customer support team stands behind our products with guaranteed cus- tomer satisfaction. We respond to all inquiries within 24 hours and offer solutions that keep our customers happy. We monitor and follow up each transac- tion to ensure a positive prod- uct experience. If there are problems, we correct them right away. CEDN: What is your outlook for the next year? SL: 2017 will be a big year for Baldr. We are attending two major tradeshows, which will bring us new opportunities. Additionally, our wide range of new products and a dedicated supporting team keeps our company outlook very posi- tive. CEDN: To what do you attribute your company's success? SL: Our dynamic team members! At BALDR, we work together, with each other, with our customers and with indus- try partners to deliver superior results and experiences. For more information, go to www.baldr.com or stop by booth #52500.