CES tech show in Las Vegas dominated by VR and self-drive cars

Jeans that can direct you to your destination and a hairbrush that can detect damaged hair are just some of the weird and wonderful products being introduced at the world's biggest gadget show.

Alongside the quirkier inventions on display at this year's CES (Shenzhen: 300469.SZ - news) in Las Vegas is technology that will change how we live our lives.

The event, which used to be known as the Consumer Electronics Show, is dominated this year by virtual and augmented reality, robotics and smart home management systems.

It is also a major showcase for the latest in self-driving and connected cars.

Major motor manufacturers are turning to tech giants to merge the two worlds where people spend most time.

Tim Stevens, editor-in-chief of tech review site CNET (NasdaqCM: CNET - news) 's Roadshow (HKSE: 0888-OL.HK - news) , said: "We're seeing partnerships between companies like Ford and Amazon, and Hyundai made an announcement with Google, so you can control your smart home from your car and your car from your smart home.

"It is bringing everything together and creating this concept of a smart agent where all of your information is available all the time regardless of whether you're in your car or at your home or at your office."

Voice-controlled home hubs, many of them with cute robotic looks, are now flooding the market to power the ubiquitous "internet of things".

Electronics giant LG (KSE: 003550.KS - news) unveiled its version at the show.

Vice-president Dave VanderWaal told Sky News: "The acceptance of voice recognition has grown tenfold in the last two years and so our home robot will be a way that a consumer can talk to the rest of the appliances in an easy and quick way."

Home hubs, including the much talked-about "Olly," are learning to evolve with users' preferences every days. This artificial intelligence is appearing in cars as well.

Smart, connected appliances are everywhere. One called FridgeCam even alerts owners to food about to pass its expiry date.

Few products at CES have gained headlines like the vibrating connected jeans. The creation of French company Spinali Designs has taken the concept of "wearables" to new tight-fitting levels.

The smart hairbrush from Kerastase is fitted with an accelerometer, gyroscope and microphone to provide "insights into manageability, frizz ones, dryness, split ends and breakage".

Gary Shapiro, the head of the Consumer Technology Association, says CES highlights to the incoming US president Donald Trump that technology keeps people safe, drives the economy and improves the way people live,

The show is celebrating its 50th anniversary - the first show in New York in 1967 attracted 17,000 people.

Around 200,000 are expected at the show this week, many of them buyers for major retailers who will will ultimately sell us these gadgets.