Hot Topic: Consumer Electronics

The IEEE Consumer Electronics Society continues to be at the forefront of industry news and innovations. Its work focuses on the impact consumer electronics technology has had on our social, environmental, and political worlds, as well as future industry trends that have life-changing implications.

George Hanover is an IEEE Fellow, Membership Chair of the IEEE Consumer Electronics Society, member of the IEEE-USA Committee on Transportation and Aerospace Policy, and a consultant to the electronics industry. Previously, he was the legislative assistant to U.S. Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.), where he was a member of the House Science and Technology Committee and advised the Congressman on the topic of consumer technology.

IEEE: In what ways has the consumer electronics industry affected people socially, politically and environmentally?

Hanover: 2008 was a big year for consumer electronics, with increased focus on how technology directly affects people on a variety of levels. For example, we now see homes with green products, remote patient care and home security monitoring—not just bigger and better TV sets. Also, the recent U.S. presidential election has drawn special attention to the online world, proving the impact of social media and Web 2.0 technologies, and its ability to spread information to the masses as well as providing critical feedback to the candidates.

Over the next decade, we will see further growth of consumer electronics into other areas, resulting in better quality of life for all of the world’s citizens. The role of consumer electronics will continue to expand and diversify as new opportunities will appear for engineers to leverage technology to address issues facing society.