CES 2018: More companies show off green technology

World
Europe

How to help the environment - that's a task being taken on at CES this year. The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is the largest consumer tech showcase in the world. And there's real emphasis on greenery - in more ways than one. CGTN's Phil Lavelle explains.

You'd think we'd be outdoors for a story about the environment, right? Blue skies. Palm trees.

PHIL LAVELLE LAS VEGAS "Not this time though. Because the environment is a big focus at CES this year. But it's what's INSIDE that counts here."

Like gardening indoors. For those who live in the urban sprawl. No space for a yard. Don't feel left out. Grow your cactus - or other outdoor plants - within your walls. LED lights and fans, effectively fooling the plant and making it think its outside.

RAY SHIH OPCOM "It's a hydrophonic system. It can grow indoor. No more depending on outdoor weather. Don't worry about insects or outdoor environment, You can grow all year round."

And it's those who live in the concrete jungles who are really being targeted by a lot of inventors here. Smoggy cities, where pollution is rife. R-Pur, bringing this breath of fresh air all the way from Paris.

PHIL LAVELLE LAS VEGAS "Why is this unique?"

FLAVIEN HELLO, CO-FOUNDER R-PUR "This is unique because it is the first anti-pollution mask in the world that filters very, very small particles. Small particles are dangerous for the health because they go into the blood system and they damage the organs. This filter is a five layer filter that protects you against thin particles and nano-sized particles, very small ones."

The pollution caused mainly by cars. But not this one. The LightYear electric vehicle - light years ahead.

TOM SELTEN LIGHTYEAR "It's an electric car - that you can drive off solar power."

Because you never have to even plug it in. Unlike one major alternative.

PHIL LAVELLE LAS VEGAS "Are you going to beat Tesla at their own game?"

TOM SELTEN LIGHTYEAR "Actually we don't believe Tesla is competition for us because we're in a whole other market. They rely on the grid and we don't. We are going to actually scale in India and Africa where there is no charging infrastructure."

Saving water here is an issue too - as well as electricity. This little white thing.

MARK KOVSCEK CONSERVATION LABS "This is what's come to be known as a smart water monitor or smart water meter."

Aiming to make a big impact on water wastage, by keeping an eye on how much H20 is going out of the home and letting you know.

MARK KOVSCEK CONSERVATION LABS "We waste through unwanted use and leaks around 2 trillion gallons of water. It's enough to supply the needs of all of the households in the top 50 cities in the country so we want to help reduce those leaks."

The world's problems may not quite be solved at CES. But there are thousands of people here with thousands of products. Many of them hoping to make a real difference. Phil Lavelle, CGTN at CES in Las Vegas.