Next week is a great time to love technology.

Starting Sunday, Las Vegas plays host to CES, formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show, the annual tech confab dedicated to the latest in consumer technology.

When attendees aren’t dodging multiple varieties of drone and robot, they are checking out new gadgets from super-fast laptops to TVs as thin as a credit card.

Last year, more than 184,000 people attended CES, as did more than 4,000 companies. To prepare yourself for the electronics bonanza, let’s break down what to expect from CES 2018.

What are some of the big trends in tech?

Augmented reality. Who would have ever guessed this wave of interest in AR would start with Pikachu? Since the arrival of mobile game Pokemon Go, AR is a hot topic.

Self-driving cars. Those autonomous rides are opening up a bit more to the masses. Ride-hailing service Lyft is offering up self-driving options for attendees at CES. Also, with CES morphing into more of an auto show, prepare to hear more from car makers ready to roll out driverless rides.

Health tech. It’s more than just Fitbits and smartwatches. Technology such as AI and wearables beyond the wrist could transform how we monitor our health.

Robots. Really, is there anything better?

What announcements should I expect?

Sunday and Monday are press days, which means loads of press conferences and announcements. On Sunday, chip maker Nvidia is the heavy hitter presenting. The following day, tech giants including LG, Panasonic, Samsung and Sony take the stage. Expect a ton of news.

If you want to find out about those quirky gadgets (think the smart fork or smart belt), those discoveries surface starting Tuesday when the show floor opens.

How can I stay updated?

Tech reporters Ed Baig, Jefferson Graham, and Mike Snider will be there, along with our weekly tech columnists Jennifer Jolly and Marc Saltzman. If you’re lucky, you might spot them on Facebook Live. Visit our Facebook page to stay up to date

courtesy=  usatoday.com