Mobile World Congress 2022 in Barcelona has come to an end after four days of showcasing the latest advancements in artificial intelligence, smartphones, robotics and other tech gadgets. The event drew tens of thousands of visitors, including Chinese tech giants like Huawei and Lenovo, as well as the father of the cellphone. Here are some of the most significant highlights of the show.

Metaverse and Virtual Reality

The Metaverse received the most attention at the show, as companies cashed in on the hype surrounding new virtual worlds for work and play. SK Telecom's virtual reality air taxi flight simulator was one of the most popular demonstrations, with long lines to take a virtual ride. There were also robot dogs to remotely inspect infrastructure and holograms for virtual learning.

Smartphones

While the smartphone launches did not garner as much attention as they used to because innovations have slowed, devices with nifty screens took the spotlight. Motorola unveiled a phone with a screen that rolls out. Double-tapping fingers on the side, the display automatically extends from 5 inches long to 6.5 inches by unscrolling from the bottom. Lenovo, Motorola's owner, also showed off a laptop with a rolling screen. Other brands, including Samsung and China's Oppo and Tecno, also released their latest folding designs.

Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality

Artificially intelligent chatbots like ChatGPT have taken the tech world by storm, and U.K. startup XRAI Glass is joining the fray with augmented reality glasses. The company's virtual assistant app works with smart viewer glasses to help people who are deaf or hard of hearing better understand what's happening around them. XRAI has integrated OpenAI's ChatGPT technology into its app and glasses setup.

In addition, Israeli startup D-ID launched a new interface for its "digital human" - an online avatar that can work with AI-chat systems to hold conversations. The startup has improved chatbots by incorporating large language models, allowing generative AI systems to create readable text and hold conversations.

Remote Tele-Driving

German mobility startup Vay showcased its technology, which enables cars to be driven by remote "tele-drivers." The company's business model is a cross between taxi service and car rental. When a user hails a ride, a tele-driver will steer one of its electric cars to the pickup point for the customer, who will take over the driving duties. At the destination, the car will be taken away by a remote driver. The company says it's the first in Europe to operate cars on public streets without a human driver inside. Vay aims to launch the service soon in Germany and the U.S.

Augmented Reality in Sports

Software company Amdocs demonstrated AR technology that could be used for "next-generation immersive experiences" for both fans and security staff at big-ticket sports games. For example, soccer fans attending a match in person could buy a package of extras for their AR glasses, including exclusive replay.

As per Austria News Technology section, the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona once again showcased the latest developments in technology, with a particular focus on the Metaverse, smartphones, artificial intelligence, and augmented reality. While innovations have slowed in the smartphone market, devices with nifty screens still attract attention. The integration of AI and AR into various products, such as XRAI Glass's augmented reality glasses and Amdocs' AR technology for sports fans, shows the growing potential of these technologies. The remote tele-driving technology developed by Vay could revolutionize car rental services in the future.