Procter & Gamble (P&G) is 182 years old, but this week marks its first appearance at CES, the big tech trade show in Las Vegas. The company said its new focus is on leading disruption through technology, and it showed some very cool tech in what would otherwise be very ordinary products.
It's part of the internet of things trend, and P&G is focused on putting sensors and artificial intelligence into things like skin advisers, razors, and blemish removers. I was impressed with the company's effort to put technology into ordinary products in such a way that it just fades into the woodwork.
P&G said it is using technology to transform every aspect of the experience consumers have with its product lines, which range from Gillette to Olay.
The products that make up P&G's LifeLab concept include:
- SK-II Future X Smart Store is a traveling learning lab and pop-up store that uses facial recognition, smart sensors, and computer vision technology to provide next-generation smart skincare counseling.
- Olay Skin Advisor is an online beauty tool that uses artificial intelligence to analyze your selfies and make custom skincare recommendations. It is trained on 50,000 algorithms that can do things like calculate your age and come up with tailored advice. This launched last year and has already drawn more than 5 million visitors. It's now getting an upgrade with even better tech.
- Aria is a connected home fragrance device that can distribute custom levels of scent throughout your home, managed conveniently through a mobile app. Funai Electric provided the scent-jet technology used to distribute the fragrance.
