Artificial intelligence and smart home assistants are expected to dominate the agenda at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), when it begins tomorrow.
One of the word's largest gatherings for the technology industry, the Las Vegas-based convention will see more than 170,000 people attend, looking to see the latest innovations from the likes of Intel, Samsung and Sony.
But smart home speakers and the AI assistants that power them have been predicted to be the most widely discussed technology at the event, according to analysts, with Amazon and Google set to lead the way.
Amazon has already announced new tools that will enable cooking appliances to connect to and be controlled by its virtual assistant Alexa.
Dozens of start-ups and other firms are also expected to showcase speakers and other devices compatible with Google Assistant, the internet giant's own AI helper.
Industry expert Ben Wood, of analyst firm CCS Insight, said he expected a show awash with smart gadgets.
"We predict that Amazon's Alexa will be more pervasive than ever, cropping up in numerous device categories, including cars, computers, fridges, lights, radios, TVs and more," he said.
"Rival voice assistants such Apple's Siri, Google Home, Microsoft's Cortana and Samsung's Bixby will be on show, but will significantly lag behind Amazon's Alexa, which will be the dominant platform for voice at CES 2018," he said.
"We expect a further deluge of pseudo-artificial intelligence devices at CES 2018, continuing the theme of faintly ridiculous products such as the 'intelligent' toothbrush that emerged at last year's show," he added.
Over the course of the four-day show, televisions, home appliances and autonomous car technology are also expected to be prominent trends.
LG has already revealed it will showcase an 88-inch 8K resolution OLED TV at the event, which would be the largest and highest resolution TV screen of its type to date.
Driverless car technology is also predicted to be a major trend during the week, with car giants Nissan and Ford among those due to demonstrate their own takes on the technology.
Car-hailing service Lyft, a major Uber rival in the US, is also offering visitors journeys in semi-autonomous cars during the show.
Start-ups and smaller firms will also use CES as a chance to gain much-needed exposure and investment, with more than 800 small businesses set to exhibit in the Eureka Park area of the convention.
Increased security is also set to be a talking point at the event.
Following the deadly mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest music festival in the city in October, CES organisers have also confirmed the introduction of new security measures around the event, with more stringent identification and bag check procedures set to be in place around show venues.
CES organisers have also said visitors will notice a "more highly visible law enforcement presence throughout the show and at all venues".
Meanwhile, the organisers of the CES technology show has said it will "redouble" efforts on gender equality after being criticised for a lack of female speakers at this year's event.
The four-day trade show's six largest keynotes will all be delivered by men, a line-up that has been criticised by equality group Gender Avenger.
In a letter to the group's founder Gina Glantz, the chief executive of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) Gary Shapiro acknowledged more needed to be done.
"As we plan 2019 we will redouble our efforts to expand women's voices throughout the conference and as featured speakers," he said.
"Diversity matters because, to shape the future, we need to engage people of different backgrounds filled with creative influences. Diversity is key to innovation."
Mr Shapiro also referenced a US government report which said there was still as "persistent lack" of diversity in the technology industry workforce.
"This is a global issue - not just within the technology sector -all industries and our society at large can and must do better. Those of us who produce events must do better too," he said.
Last month, the CTA's senior vice president Karen Chupka said the event actively looks for female keynote speakers, but there was an "upsetting" lack of options.
"To keynote at CES, the speaker must head (president/CEO level) a large entity who has name recognition in the industry," she wrote in a blog post.
"As upsetting as it is, there is a limited pool when it comes to women in these positions. We feel your pain. It bothers us too. The tech industry and every industry must do better."
The technology trade show did confirm two new female speakers had been added to one of its panel events on the main stage.
"We are proud to say Nancy Dubuc, President and CEO A+E Networks is on the keynote stage and we will soon announce that Kristin Dolan, Founder and CEO of 605, will be joining her," Mr Shapiro said.
