Intel brings AR Rahman and a hoverboard butler on stage at CES 2016Mumbai, Jan 6(AZINS) Tech companies appear to already be at fever pitch even before the gates of CES 2016 are officially thrown open. Intel joined in the fray with their recent press event, during which they demonstrated everything from smart clothes, to all-seeing drones, to “personal transporters” (Intelspeak for hoverboards) and more.

There were copious levels of flash-bang on stage, in the midst of which was our very own A R Rahman belting out rhythms using nothing more than smart wrist bands.

It all started off with the audience in the conference hall finding on their seats glowing wristbands based on Intel’s Curie embedded platform which debuted at CES last year. These wristbands ostensibly “convert gestures to colors” and "respond to the performer's actions and music", and were meant to be used over the course of the press event.

Even Intel’s CEO Brian Krzanich made his way on stage in no less than a hoverboard. After talking about their “sensification of computing”, about devices being “smart and connected”, and objects being “an extension of you”, the event launched right into the thick of the action.

They demonstrated what looked to be multi-hued fireworks on stage, but which were in fact drones doing some crazy aerial maneuvers. Also on display was another drone, catchily named Yuneec Typhoon H with Intel RealSense Technology; an autonomous flying machine that is able to recognize obstacles and avoid them as it ‘chases’ its owner while capturing aerial footage, all for under $2,000 when it becomes commercially available.

The one area they really did repeatedly stress on was the embedded, Internet of Things space where their button-sized Curie platform took centerstage. From smart snowboards to a 3D printed New Balance shoe to sensor-enabled BMX bikes to Glass-like Oakley sunglasses, the stressed on sensors changing the way action sports and fitness metrics can be viewed in real time and dissected later on. Also on display was a range of smart clothing, including the famous Intel-powered bra that opens vents when the wearer gets too hot.

Intel also demoed their partnership with NineBot--the Xiaomi-owned hoverboard company--in creating a personal transporter that is apparently armed with a vision system. This bot doubles up as a butler of sorts, being able to relay videos of guests after it answers the front door of your house, for example. Also armed with the company’s increasingly prevalent RealSense technology, the butler’s system is based on an open platform (which will be available in the second half of this year.) So it could potentially be set up to serve as everything from a beer-carrier to a medicine-getter. Eat your heart out, R2-D2.

But the pièce de résistance was A R Rahman, on stage in an electric blue jacket, with those glowing smart bands around his wrists and ankle. Using this wearable gear, he whipped up some punchy gesture-based music along with another person playing bass air guitar.

The technology company now involved in creating processor for the Internet of Everything also hinted at a partnership with Lady Gaga, which is expected to culminate in an unprecedented performance at the upcoming Grammys.

Watch out for more Intel updates as we continue to cover their announcements over the course of CES this week.