January 28, 2026 • 17 mins
LIVE from the CES 2026 show floor on the final day, I sat down with Steve Ewell, Executive Director of the CTA Foundation, to talk about the biggest takeaways from CES 2026, the rise of assistive and adaptive technologies, and why accessibility is officially mainstream in consumer tech. In this interview, we cover: The most exciting accessibility trends at CES 2026 How assistive technology is evolving for real-world independence The future of adaptive tech and inclusive product design Why accessibility is now a core part of mainstream innovation If you’re into the future of technology—especially tech that improves independence, usability, and everyday life—this one is for you. 👍 Like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more CES 2026 coverage and tech interviews. 💬 Comment below: What accessibility or assistive tech innovation stood out most to you at CES 2026? Guest: Steve Ewell (CTA Foundation) Host: Paul Amadeus Lane | Tech Zone
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
In the text Zone with Poor in the Tech Zone,
with Paul on my dead lay make a little trick, Quinny.
Suddenly you can see how the suburbs and main streets
(00:23):
they connected much respected, from Coble to drone, from falls
to drawls. Taking it away back in the home we live,
we know, we innovate the game. Tune in with Joe's Pama,
Dan's Streaming Dreams and Breaking Change. Welcome to the tex
Zone when the World Club Gin and Change Remaine.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Hello, Hello, Hello, and welcome to the Tech Zone.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
I am Paul, I'm the Day Slam. We're live on
the floor here CEES.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Twenty twenty six in the West Hall. And that guy
you see, Rich Me is the executive direct Tour of
the Consumer Technology Association Foundation. Without heditation, my good friend
Steve you what's going with no and sir Stephen, Well, Paul,
you know I love coming and talking to you all
(01:22):
the time, but I love when we get to do
it at CES because I get to be face to
face with you here and not over a virtual connection.
But it has been an incredible CES twenty twenty six,
and you know, I'm just looking forward to highlighting some
of it with you me too. My friends, Steve, we've
been doing this, I want to say since twenty nineteen.
(01:45):
You know, we've been having our final interview twenty eighteen,
I find an interview on the day of cees and
you're right, it's always met to see you face to face,
my friend. And you've been the hardest working man in
show business. I mean I look at Kinsey and Gary,
they do a lot of stuff. Well, Steve, I think
you're ing we men now with everything that you be doing. Red.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
So how'ses the esben? Uh?
Speaker 2 (02:11):
It has been a whirlwind, absolutely, and actually I'll give
the credit to our ops team that puts this all
together because they were actually the hardest people working around here.
But yeah, this year we watched you know, so many
new things in addition to all the activities we were
already doing that. You know, we somehow found those extra
hours in the day that I never thought existed, and
(02:34):
we're able to put together an incredible program. We've had
packed houses throughout the week. I know you've been part
of those programs. But yeah, it's just been a great,
great week's Steve in retrospect, Now where last d year
a few hours left?
Speaker 3 (02:52):
Have you taken that moment to breathe.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
I took a little moment to breathe, but I knew
I had a very import conversation to have, so I
had to get prep for that. But yeah, no, it
has just been like I said, it's been a whirlwind,
but it has been incredible. You know, everything that we
do with the CTA Foundation that's focused on how technology
can help older.
Speaker 3 (03:15):
Adults and people in disabilities.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
That is an issue that we've been talking about at
CS for years and years, but this year, I really
think we broke through the fact that it was you know,
featured as part of Gary and Kinsey's keynote, the fact
that it was raised at a number of the other
activities and events throughout the week, not even talking about
the programming that we all put together related to it. Yeah,
(03:41):
and Steve, when we look at just the planning that
went into all this, you know, towards the beginning of
the year, conversations that we had and hash out the
tracks that were put on, Well, work has been your
biggest takeaway Besides it's that everybody's talking about accessibility.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
Now, what is the mother.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Key moments of a CUS twenty twenty six that really stood.
Speaker 3 (04:07):
On your mind.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
Well, the fact that we built this accessibility stage, and
you know, this is something that's been a dream of
mine for some time now.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
So the fact that it's actually real now, the fact that.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Throughout the week it was a packed standing room, lonely
house throughout all the different sessions, and it also served
as a convening point for people interested in that spot.
So we had so many people coming by the stage
just interested in saying I want to know more about
accessibility or who else is working in accessibility in this space.
(04:41):
So we were able to actually build off the content
that we were able to do and just build that
greater network and that is going to continue to further
the conversation. And that goes on top of things like
we had our Accessibility roundtable again. Every year that gets bigger.
I don't know how we're going to get bigger again,
and yet somehow we do. We had one hundred and
(05:05):
eighty people in the room for that conversation, everyone from
you know, startups to the largest companies in the world.
We had advocates, we had academics, we had government, we
had just so many different, really interesting people. And I'm
a big believer throw a bunch of smart people in
a room with some challenges, and it's amazing that what
(05:27):
can come out of that.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
So that was a great way to kind of kick
off see Yes this week.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
And then we had a great reception where we just
brought together kind of the whole accessibility in h tech
ecosystem here And you know that was not even day one.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
That was kind of pre day one wyhere.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
So it was Steve, I remember you threatened us with
our lives if we talk about where we want to
do in a meeting, but it was it was really
really amazing, just a synergies that waste and we appreciate
you giving us a platform to talk amongst ourselves in
accessibility space. And Steve, I know, I'll tell you this
(06:07):
all the time. You are the reason all of us
were together in that room. You know, I look back
to it the first time when you and I, you
and I met and we talked and some of the
things that we wanted to really see happen, and then
becomes accessibility to where we're at today. Man, you have
you and your team have done an amazing job under
(06:28):
Kinsey and Larry and Gary allowing this to be a
part of the show.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
I mean, man, I never thought we would see it.
I really didn't. You know.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
It's one of those things we've been building towards it.
But honestly, it's because of folks like you. It's because
of so many other people who are here and have
a demand and show this is an interesting area. Because yeah,
I can make it happen, but if I make it
happen and no one shows up, it's not happening again.
The fact that you and so many other people show
(06:58):
up get engaged, that shows the interest that allows us
to every year say okay, what are we going to
do next? And I don't know what we're gonna do next,
but we're working on some plans.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
I love it, Steve. I think you know.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
The buzzword out of cees this year has been AI.
I think right under that has been accessibility. I mean
I was I interviewed. Went to the Venetian yesterday. Up
in the second floor is digital health right?
Speaker 3 (07:29):
Digital health right? Stee get out someone over.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
There and talk to a gentleman who created this water
bottle that takes the nitrogen out of the water or
something that elevated but found out his story. He had
a problem with inflammation quind of pain. So he and
a friend innovated this this this flask called the Big
(07:53):
flask that really supercharges water so it can do unic inflammation,
gut health and all these different things. And the way
that he built the bottle was to make sure it
wouldn't really slip out of a person's can. He said,
he wanted to make sure it was ergonomically correct. And
then it had like foam around it, a run around itself.
It dropped, it wouldn't break. And I told him, I said,
(08:18):
you had no idea that you were building something accessible.
You thought you were just building something that was going
to help out inflammation all these others. But even the
product packaging now, Steed is what you do with things
without even knowing absolutely, and that's It's about the awareness,
and that's where shows like this makes such a big
(08:39):
difference because it raises that awareness. It's no longer about
the assistive technology, which obviously is still a major theme
in technology, and there's always going to be incredible assist
of technologies, but it is where the general consumer technologies
that have that economy of scale, that have that but
(09:00):
are also built accessible and therefore can serve so many
more people.
Speaker 3 (09:05):
It's good for the business because.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
Not only are they delivering a great product, but you
know now they're reaching the soul market and not just
you know a certain percentage of the market. That is
so true. And see what I really appreciate about the
ce is too. On Tuesday we had the accessibility track,
many talks panels, and then on Wednesday, sorry, Tuesday, Wednesday
(09:31):
and Thursday were there anything going on the accessibility stage
today too? Just Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday for that three days
of accessible feast. I mean that that is that is amazing.
See so you know what that means next year, right,
bigger and better You'll have bigger and better. We need
more days too, I mean, Kendy and Gary, I know
(09:53):
you listen to me, so list have our cees B
eight days have to be like no home through our films.
Speaker 3 (10:01):
No, you brought it do right?
Speaker 2 (10:03):
Gary and Kinsey had the level of an energy that
they might be like, that's a great idea. I think
the rest of the staff would kill me if I
fully endorsed that. So but yeah, I mean we had
on that accessibility stage. We had twenty five sessions focused
on accessibility across those three days plus we had the
main accessibility track, which once again had like another you know,
(10:26):
four or five sessions that were part of that, including
some of the chief accessibility officers of some of the
biggest companies in the world. And then you know, in
addition to that, you know, the gaming breakfast that you
and aime It put together.
Speaker 3 (10:41):
I mean, there's so.
Speaker 2 (10:42):
Many other activities that happened this year that really drove
home the importance of accessibility and that it's not like, oh,
that's just over in the corner of the show now,
it is the entire show has an accessibility message. Yeah,
and Steve, I appreciate me. Thank you for allowing me
to be a part of that.
Speaker 4 (11:04):
If it wouldn't be, if it wouldn't because of you,
I wouldn't be on the conference advisory board, I wouldn't
be moderating these panels.
Speaker 2 (11:16):
And I want to thank you personally for this. See
because you not only walk in the walk, but you
talk to talk. You make sure that the community is
well represented. And we really appreciate you, man, really do well.
We need your voice on there, so I appreciate you
taking the time to do it. All right, Steve, So
let's talk about twenty twenty six. Now, so we're now
at twenty twenty six. What are some great things that
(11:39):
the Foundation is going to be up to.
Speaker 3 (11:42):
Can you share some things with us? Absolutely?
Speaker 2 (11:45):
So yes, obviously we're wrapping up just an incredible CS
So gonna take a moment to take a little breath
from that that we actually go right from that into
our grants program. So we already have a ton of
nonprofits that are in the middle of finalizing their grand
applications this year, so later this spring kind of early summer,
(12:09):
will have a great new class of nonprofit organizations from
all over the United States that are using technology to
help either older adults or people with disabilities that we're
going to be able to provide some funding and support for.
So that's always kind of the next highlight right after CES.
And you know, we'll also be doing additional programming. We're
(12:30):
continuing to build up you CTA's Accessibility and Age Tech
Working Group. So whereas the Foundation is how do we
get the technology into people's hands, how do we create
the awareness? This is really how do we create the
awareness and knowledge within the industry, So build up the
industry and enable them to continue to make better products,
help serve the needs of the consumers that we're working for.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
So that's going.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
To be a really active group in its first year.
Seventy different companies that signed up for that. I just
was talking with the chair of that committee and she's
told me we're going to hit one hundred and forty
this year, so I got some work to do, but
we will get there. So yeah, it's really an exciting
opportunity there. And then you know, starting to work on
(13:18):
CEES twenty twenty seven, so things like our Eureka Park
Accessibility contest, which I always love coming on your show
and highlighting the startups. You know, the five startups we
had this year. I was talking to them earlier today.
They had incredible shows, just constant people coming through, you know,
interested in what they're doing, whether it's me coming to
(13:40):
learn more about what they're doing, investors, others that have
a real interest in these types of technologies, and you know,
for most of these startups this was their first time
ever coming to see us, so you know, just getting
a sense of the scale and the scope and who
they can engage with what was incredible for them. So
we'll be watching competition again in the summer to give
(14:02):
away five more boosts next year at CEUs twenty twenty seven,
and then you know, trying to figure out, like how
do we make the stage bigger and better? Continue to
you know, I have all kinds of designs on two
point zero, so we'll see how that goes. I love it. Now,
did you have a drink with one of our good
friends and try to see you for we can make
(14:23):
that happen. You know, I may have worked on that
a little bit, but you know I've also this week
I'm like, at some point I gotta get to bed. Yes, yes,
tell me about it. And that's one thing that I
noticed over the years of CEES. Our experience kind of
matures over the years because we realized because only so
(14:45):
much interviews you we have and and some of these
try to cover that.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
We really try to make our blows count YEP absolutely
absolutely yes, Stee.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
Who the next year with the audience out there about
the foundation about CEES twenty twenty six, the floor is
your well, just I'll mention.
Speaker 3 (15:02):
We also had our pitch competition this year.
Speaker 2 (15:04):
Again you know, in the great precedent set by a
previous MC mister Paul Ammada Swayne. Ye, we did have
another great session this year. Eight companies pitched. We actually
had a guy named Lextrollette, who is a five time
(15:24):
paralympian as our MC this year, so yeah, we're going
to get the two of you to.
Speaker 3 (15:30):
Race after this. Love it.
Speaker 2 (15:33):
But yeah, it was a great competition we had. Actually
the grand prize winner was a company out of Romania
called dot Woman, which basically uses self driving technology to
help blind people navigate. We had a company that does
kind of a Smarttholme home care solution as a runner
up called Karen's Health. So yeah, there were just so
(15:56):
many really incredible companies and so that was a exciting
and just the number of meetings and engagements, you know.
But in the end, I just really want to thank
you for being here covering this area, continuing to work
with us as we make this a bigger and bigger topic.
And if any of your folks want to learn more
(16:17):
about what we're doing, certainly follow us at CTA Foundation,
dot tech it's dot te ch or follow us on
the various social channels, probably linkedins where we're most active
right now. Absolutely, and Steve, thank you man, you and
the team. You have an amazing team. I love them,
always enjoy seeing them and all the hard work that
(16:38):
they do under your leadership. And you're all doing some
amazing things. So so next time, my friend, I'm sure
we'll chat it's been a couple of months or so
and talk about some great things that the Foundation is doing.
But thank you again for leveling up my career.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
When it comes to the accessibility, all because.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
Of me knowing you.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
I really appreciate that.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
Well, thank you for having me and I have benefited
from knowing you, so it is equal. That is the
great Steve Yulee, Executive director of the Consumer Electronic Association Foundation,
the highest degree of declaration for the highest degree of
human being that I know.
Speaker 3 (17:17):
Great talk with you, my friend.
Speaker 2 (17:19):
Thank you,
In the text Zone with Poor in the Tech Zone,
with Paul on my dead lay make a little trick, Quinny.
Suddenly you can see how the suburbs and main streets
(00:23):
they connected much respected, from Coble to drone, from falls
to drawls. Taking it away back in the home we live,
we know, we innovate the game. Tune in with Joe's Pama,
Dan's Streaming Dreams and Breaking Change. Welcome to the tex
Zone when the World Club Gin and Change Remaine.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Hello, Hello, Hello, and welcome to the Tech Zone.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
I am Paul, I'm the Day Slam. We're live on
the floor here CEES.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Twenty twenty six in the West Hall. And that guy
you see, Rich Me is the executive direct Tour of
the Consumer Technology Association Foundation. Without heditation, my good friend
Steve you what's going with no and sir Stephen, Well, Paul,
you know I love coming and talking to you all
(01:22):
the time, but I love when we get to do
it at CES because I get to be face to
face with you here and not over a virtual connection.
But it has been an incredible CES twenty twenty six,
and you know, I'm just looking forward to highlighting some
of it with you me too. My friends, Steve, we've
been doing this, I want to say since twenty nineteen.
(01:45):
You know, we've been having our final interview twenty eighteen,
I find an interview on the day of cees and
you're right, it's always met to see you face to face,
my friend. And you've been the hardest working man in
show business. I mean I look at Kinsey and Gary,
they do a lot of stuff. Well, Steve, I think
you're ing we men now with everything that you be doing. Red.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
So how'ses the esben? Uh?
Speaker 2 (02:11):
It has been a whirlwind, absolutely, and actually I'll give
the credit to our ops team that puts this all
together because they were actually the hardest people working around here.
But yeah, this year we watched you know, so many
new things in addition to all the activities we were
already doing that. You know, we somehow found those extra
hours in the day that I never thought existed, and
(02:34):
we're able to put together an incredible program. We've had
packed houses throughout the week. I know you've been part
of those programs. But yeah, it's just been a great,
great week's Steve in retrospect, Now where last d year
a few hours left?
Speaker 3 (02:52):
Have you taken that moment to breathe.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
I took a little moment to breathe, but I knew
I had a very import conversation to have, so I
had to get prep for that. But yeah, no, it
has just been like I said, it's been a whirlwind,
but it has been incredible. You know, everything that we
do with the CTA Foundation that's focused on how technology
can help older.
Speaker 3 (03:15):
Adults and people in disabilities.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
That is an issue that we've been talking about at
CS for years and years, but this year, I really
think we broke through the fact that it was you know,
featured as part of Gary and Kinsey's keynote, the fact
that it was raised at a number of the other
activities and events throughout the week, not even talking about
the programming that we all put together related to it. Yeah,
(03:41):
and Steve, when we look at just the planning that
went into all this, you know, towards the beginning of
the year, conversations that we had and hash out the
tracks that were put on, Well, work has been your
biggest takeaway Besides it's that everybody's talking about accessibility.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
Now, what is the mother.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Key moments of a CUS twenty twenty six that really stood.
Speaker 3 (04:07):
On your mind.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
Well, the fact that we built this accessibility stage, and
you know, this is something that's been a dream of
mine for some time now.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
So the fact that it's actually real now, the fact that.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Throughout the week it was a packed standing room, lonely
house throughout all the different sessions, and it also served
as a convening point for people interested in that spot.
So we had so many people coming by the stage
just interested in saying I want to know more about
accessibility or who else is working in accessibility in this space.
(04:41):
So we were able to actually build off the content
that we were able to do and just build that
greater network and that is going to continue to further
the conversation. And that goes on top of things like
we had our Accessibility roundtable again. Every year that gets bigger.
I don't know how we're going to get bigger again,
and yet somehow we do. We had one hundred and
(05:05):
eighty people in the room for that conversation, everyone from
you know, startups to the largest companies in the world.
We had advocates, we had academics, we had government, we
had just so many different, really interesting people. And I'm
a big believer throw a bunch of smart people in
a room with some challenges, and it's amazing that what
(05:27):
can come out of that.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
So that was a great way to kind of kick
off see Yes this week.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
And then we had a great reception where we just
brought together kind of the whole accessibility in h tech
ecosystem here And you know that was not even day one.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
That was kind of pre day one wyhere.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
So it was Steve, I remember you threatened us with
our lives if we talk about where we want to
do in a meeting, but it was it was really
really amazing, just a synergies that waste and we appreciate
you giving us a platform to talk amongst ourselves in
accessibility space. And Steve, I know, I'll tell you this
(06:07):
all the time. You are the reason all of us
were together in that room. You know, I look back
to it the first time when you and I, you
and I met and we talked and some of the
things that we wanted to really see happen, and then
becomes accessibility to where we're at today. Man, you have
you and your team have done an amazing job under
(06:28):
Kinsey and Larry and Gary allowing this to be a
part of the show.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
I mean, man, I never thought we would see it.
I really didn't. You know.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
It's one of those things we've been building towards it.
But honestly, it's because of folks like you. It's because
of so many other people who are here and have
a demand and show this is an interesting area. Because yeah,
I can make it happen, but if I make it
happen and no one shows up, it's not happening again.
The fact that you and so many other people show
(06:58):
up get engaged, that shows the interest that allows us
to every year say okay, what are we going to
do next? And I don't know what we're gonna do next,
but we're working on some plans.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
I love it, Steve. I think you know.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
The buzzword out of cees this year has been AI.
I think right under that has been accessibility. I mean
I was I interviewed. Went to the Venetian yesterday. Up
in the second floor is digital health right?
Speaker 3 (07:29):
Digital health right? Stee get out someone over.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
There and talk to a gentleman who created this water
bottle that takes the nitrogen out of the water or
something that elevated but found out his story. He had
a problem with inflammation quind of pain. So he and
a friend innovated this this this flask called the Big
(07:53):
flask that really supercharges water so it can do unic inflammation,
gut health and all these different things. And the way
that he built the bottle was to make sure it
wouldn't really slip out of a person's can. He said,
he wanted to make sure it was ergonomically correct. And
then it had like foam around it, a run around itself.
It dropped, it wouldn't break. And I told him, I said,
(08:18):
you had no idea that you were building something accessible.
You thought you were just building something that was going
to help out inflammation all these others. But even the
product packaging now, Steed is what you do with things
without even knowing absolutely, and that's It's about the awareness,
and that's where shows like this makes such a big
(08:39):
difference because it raises that awareness. It's no longer about
the assistive technology, which obviously is still a major theme
in technology, and there's always going to be incredible assist
of technologies, but it is where the general consumer technologies
that have that economy of scale, that have that but
(09:00):
are also built accessible and therefore can serve so many
more people.
Speaker 3 (09:05):
It's good for the business because.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
Not only are they delivering a great product, but you
know now they're reaching the soul market and not just
you know a certain percentage of the market. That is
so true. And see what I really appreciate about the
ce is too. On Tuesday we had the accessibility track,
many talks panels, and then on Wednesday, sorry, Tuesday, Wednesday
(09:31):
and Thursday were there anything going on the accessibility stage
today too? Just Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday for that three days
of accessible feast. I mean that that is that is amazing.
See so you know what that means next year, right,
bigger and better You'll have bigger and better. We need
more days too, I mean, Kendy and Gary, I know
(09:53):
you listen to me, so list have our cees B
eight days have to be like no home through our films.
Speaker 3 (10:01):
No, you brought it do right?
Speaker 2 (10:03):
Gary and Kinsey had the level of an energy that
they might be like, that's a great idea. I think
the rest of the staff would kill me if I
fully endorsed that. So but yeah, I mean we had
on that accessibility stage. We had twenty five sessions focused
on accessibility across those three days plus we had the
main accessibility track, which once again had like another you know,
(10:26):
four or five sessions that were part of that, including
some of the chief accessibility officers of some of the
biggest companies in the world. And then you know, in
addition to that, you know, the gaming breakfast that you
and aime It put together.
Speaker 3 (10:41):
I mean, there's so.
Speaker 2 (10:42):
Many other activities that happened this year that really drove
home the importance of accessibility and that it's not like, oh,
that's just over in the corner of the show now,
it is the entire show has an accessibility message. Yeah,
and Steve, I appreciate me. Thank you for allowing me
to be a part of that.
Speaker 4 (11:04):
If it wouldn't be, if it wouldn't because of you,
I wouldn't be on the conference advisory board, I wouldn't
be moderating these panels.
Speaker 2 (11:16):
And I want to thank you personally for this. See
because you not only walk in the walk, but you
talk to talk. You make sure that the community is
well represented. And we really appreciate you, man, really do well.
We need your voice on there, so I appreciate you
taking the time to do it. All right, Steve, So
let's talk about twenty twenty six. Now, so we're now
at twenty twenty six. What are some great things that
(11:39):
the Foundation is going to be up to.
Speaker 3 (11:42):
Can you share some things with us? Absolutely?
Speaker 2 (11:45):
So yes, obviously we're wrapping up just an incredible CS
So gonna take a moment to take a little breath
from that that we actually go right from that into
our grants program. So we already have a ton of
nonprofits that are in the middle of finalizing their grand
applications this year, so later this spring kind of early summer,
(12:09):
will have a great new class of nonprofit organizations from
all over the United States that are using technology to
help either older adults or people with disabilities that we're
going to be able to provide some funding and support for.
So that's always kind of the next highlight right after CES.
And you know, we'll also be doing additional programming. We're
(12:30):
continuing to build up you CTA's Accessibility and Age Tech
Working Group. So whereas the Foundation is how do we
get the technology into people's hands, how do we create
the awareness? This is really how do we create the
awareness and knowledge within the industry, So build up the
industry and enable them to continue to make better products,
help serve the needs of the consumers that we're working for.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
So that's going.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
To be a really active group in its first year.
Seventy different companies that signed up for that. I just
was talking with the chair of that committee and she's
told me we're going to hit one hundred and forty
this year, so I got some work to do, but
we will get there. So yeah, it's really an exciting
opportunity there. And then you know, starting to work on
(13:18):
CEES twenty twenty seven, so things like our Eureka Park
Accessibility contest, which I always love coming on your show
and highlighting the startups. You know, the five startups we
had this year. I was talking to them earlier today.
They had incredible shows, just constant people coming through, you know,
interested in what they're doing, whether it's me coming to
(13:40):
learn more about what they're doing, investors, others that have
a real interest in these types of technologies, and you know,
for most of these startups this was their first time
ever coming to see us, so you know, just getting
a sense of the scale and the scope and who
they can engage with what was incredible for them. So
we'll be watching competition again in the summer to give
(14:02):
away five more boosts next year at CEUs twenty twenty seven,
and then you know, trying to figure out, like how
do we make the stage bigger and better? Continue to
you know, I have all kinds of designs on two
point zero, so we'll see how that goes. I love it. Now,
did you have a drink with one of our good
friends and try to see you for we can make
(14:23):
that happen. You know, I may have worked on that
a little bit, but you know I've also this week
I'm like, at some point I gotta get to bed. Yes, yes,
tell me about it. And that's one thing that I
noticed over the years of CEES. Our experience kind of
matures over the years because we realized because only so
(14:45):
much interviews you we have and and some of these
try to cover that.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
We really try to make our blows count YEP absolutely
absolutely yes, Stee.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
Who the next year with the audience out there about
the foundation about CEES twenty twenty six, the floor is
your well, just I'll mention.
Speaker 3 (15:02):
We also had our pitch competition this year.
Speaker 2 (15:04):
Again you know, in the great precedent set by a
previous MC mister Paul Ammada Swayne. Ye, we did have
another great session this year. Eight companies pitched. We actually
had a guy named Lextrollette, who is a five time
(15:24):
paralympian as our MC this year, so yeah, we're going
to get the two of you to.
Speaker 3 (15:30):
Race after this. Love it.
Speaker 2 (15:33):
But yeah, it was a great competition we had. Actually
the grand prize winner was a company out of Romania
called dot Woman, which basically uses self driving technology to
help blind people navigate. We had a company that does
kind of a Smarttholme home care solution as a runner
up called Karen's Health. So yeah, there were just so
(15:56):
many really incredible companies and so that was a exciting
and just the number of meetings and engagements, you know.
But in the end, I just really want to thank
you for being here covering this area, continuing to work
with us as we make this a bigger and bigger topic.
And if any of your folks want to learn more
(16:17):
about what we're doing, certainly follow us at CTA Foundation,
dot tech it's dot te ch or follow us on
the various social channels, probably linkedins where we're most active
right now. Absolutely, and Steve, thank you man, you and
the team. You have an amazing team. I love them,
always enjoy seeing them and all the hard work that
(16:38):
they do under your leadership. And you're all doing some
amazing things. So so next time, my friend, I'm sure
we'll chat it's been a couple of months or so
and talk about some great things that the Foundation is doing.
But thank you again for leveling up my career.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
When it comes to the accessibility, all because.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
Of me knowing you.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
I really appreciate that.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
Well, thank you for having me and I have benefited
from knowing you, so it is equal. That is the
great Steve Yulee, Executive director of the Consumer Electronic Association Foundation,
the highest degree of declaration for the highest degree of
human being that I know.
Speaker 3 (17:17):
Great talk with you, my friend.
Speaker 2 (17:19):
Thank you,
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