No excuses for sitting around indoors this month. Whatever, the weather, there’s something going on that’ll give E&T readers and excuse to get out and up to speed with the latest in technology.
CES 2016
Las Vegas, 6-9 January
Leading up to this year’s consumer tech fest, organiser the Consumer Electronics Association has been highlighting technology 
that is improving everyone’s quality of life. Its ‘Tech Changing the World’ campaign runs throughout the event, demonstrating how tech on the show floor like 3D printing, unmanned systems, health, smart homes and safe driving benefits people globally and can address some of the 21st century’s biggest challenges. “CES is not just about entertainment products and services; we’re seeing cutting edge technology which helps mankind and betters our world,” says CEA president and CEO Gary Shapiro. If you’re not heading to Vegas, watch out for news at http://eandt.theiet.org/news/index.cfm.
Fiction Lab
The Royal Institution, London, 11 January
Jennifer Rohn of Lablit.com hosts the monthly book club ded
icated to great fiction books with a science theme. The format is simple: just read the book choice then come along and discuss it in the surroundings of the Royal Institution. Admission is free and there’s no need to book in advance. January’s choice is The Search by CP Snow, the classic 1934 tale of the clash between scientific research and matters of the heart penned by the man who framed the famous ‘Two Cultures’ argument.
http://rigb.org/whats-on/events-2016/january/public-fiction-lab-january
5G – Getting close to the answers? IET Appleton Lecture 2016
IET London: Savoy Place, 14 January
After several years of worldwide pursuit of 5G solutions, the campaign on standards for networks that will satisfy the challenging future demands of mobile communications has begun. There are a range of proposals for a timeline, work scope, key technologies, and 
spectrum strategy, but the question is: are we getting closer to answers? Characterised by a mixed set of KPIs like data rates, latency, mobility, energy efficiency, and traffic density, 5G services demand a fundamental revolution on the end-to-end network architecture and key technologies design. In the 2016 IET Appleton lecture, Dr Chih-Lin I, who is chief scientist in charge of advanced wireless communication R&D at the China Mobile Research Institute (CMRI), will present an overview of the company’s solutions, including end-to-end network architecture for a user-centric network) and soft-defined air interface, as well as sharing CMCC’s views on how standards should evolve.
http://conferences.theiet.org/appleton/index.cfm
How will the development of robots and autonomous systems affect the lives of our children ?
Bristol, 21 January
Future Debates are a series of events supported by the British Science Association as part of its work to make science a fundamental part of British society and culture. The theme for 2016 addresses concerns about the increasing use of robots and autonomous systems in many areas of our lives, looking looking into the future and considering how our children’s lives will be affected, for better or worse. Things kick off in Bristol with a panel discussion preceded by an opportunity to discuss informally the topic with local experts.
http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/Event/how-will-the-development-of-robots
BETT
Excel, London, 20-23 January
How confident are you th
at your school is kitted out with the most innovative learning technology and that everyone knows how to use it to its full potential? Bett, the world’s leading education technology event has been bringing inspiration and innovation to the education sector for more than 30 years and the 2016 event is an opportunity to experiment with the latest technology, hear from inspirational figures and experts in the industry and meet peers from around the world.
Engineering & Technology magazine 