Innovations from ISE Barcelona 2026

ISE 2026 in Barcelona: innovations that further strengthen sustainability and flexibility across the AV landscape

ISE 2026 in Barcelona demonstrated how quickly audiovisual solutions are evolving in terms of energy consumption, deployment flexibility, and new forms of visual communication. On the show floor, developments around e-paper, mobile LED displays, digital sidewalk boards, and creative LED formats stood out. These are technologies increasingly finding their way into retail, hospitality, corporate environments and events.

E-paper: full-colour signage with ultra-low energy consumption

E-paper was clearly in the spotlight, with applications going beyond the classic black-and-white display. Full-colour e-paper screens were shown with improved resolution, aimed at communication in retail, hospitality and corporate environments. The core advantage is ultra-low energy use: e-paper only consumes power when content changes and does not require a backlight.
This enables battery-powered—and even solar-powered—use cases, which is particularly relevant for locations without a fixed power supply. New form factors were also introduced, including 55-inch displays and versions with white bezels that better match modern interiors.

Where e-paper makes the difference

Full-colour e-paper is especially suited to static or semi-static communication where sustainability and energy consumption are key considerations. With its paper-like appearance, e-paper visually aligns with printed signage, while offering the benefits of digital, centrally managed content.
Typical applications include:

• Retail price communication and POS posters

• Wayfinding and visitor information

• Menu boards

• Corporate signage and internal communication

Philips 135-inch foldable LED display: speed and mobility

A notable launch was the Philips HDL 6115: a 135-inch foldable LED display designed for situations where mobility and rapid deployment matter. The display stands out for its integrated folding mechanism, making transport more compact and enabling setup without complex installation or separate LED panels.
According to information shared at the show, this solution features a pixel pitch of approximately 1.5 mm, Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080), and high brightness—making it suitable for meeting environments as well as larger presentation spaces.

Practical value in day-to-day use

This development is relevant for settings where setup time, logistics and flexibility are decisive, such as:

• Plenary halls and presentation spaces

• Trade shows and event venues

• Temporary presentation setups in corporate environments

Digital sidewalk boards: the chalkboard look, with digital control

Digital sidewalk boards were widely represented in various shapes and sizes. Their appeal lies in combining a familiar “chalkboard look” with the advantages of digital display technology: content can be centrally managed and updated far faster than printed materials.
Within this segment, battery-powered versions were particularly eye-catching. These wireless displays include internal batteries with runtimes ranging from several hours to multiple days, depending on brightness and usage. This makes them suitable for areas without direct power access, such as terraces, pop-up stores and temporary event setups.

LED in every form: from display to spatial design

ISE remains a showcase for LED innovation, with a broad range of solutions. Alongside traditional LED displays in various pixel pitches and sizes, several striking variants were also on display, such as:

• Transparent LED for shop windows and façades

• Curved LED installations

• Cylindrical formats and creative custom-built constructions

These developments show how LED is evolving from a “screen” into an integral part of architecture and brand experience.
Heuvelman actively translates these developments into practical applications within its own portfolio. This includes exploring how innovative LED formats—such as transparent LED, curved configurations and custom constructions—can be integrated into both rental and sales concepts. By testing and adopting technologies early, it becomes possible to deliver distinctive visual solutions for events, corporate environments and signage projects, where functionality and experience go hand in hand.

AV over IP and smart room video: easier to manage, easier to scale

Beyond display innovation, there was also attention for solutions that make AV and meeting technology smarter and more centrally manageable. Examples include AV over IP, where video, audio and even USB can be distributed over a single network, and intelligent cameras that automatically switch to the active speaker without complex programming. These developments align with demand for scalable AV infrastructure and simpler management of meeting and presentation spaces.

Just Add Power: AV over IP as “one network” for video, audio and USB

Just Add Power presented an AV over IP solution supporting up to 4K 60Hz 4:4:4. Video can be switched seamlessly without additional devices in the signal chain. In addition, separate encoder/decoder solutions for USB and audio were shown, with the aim of ultimately bringing complete AV distribution onto a single network (centred around an AV switch, for example from Netgear) and using one type of cabling throughout.

PureLink: modular all-in-one hub for flexible connectivity

PureLink showcased a modular all-in-one hub that can be mounted on a table, under a table, or on a wall. Hubs like these are designed for flexible spaces where connection points and ease of use can vary by room or layout.

Crestron: intelligent PTZ camera with automatic speaker detection

Crestron presented the 1 Beyond i12D: an intelligent PTZ camera with built-in speaker detection and features such as group framing and intelligent switching, without complex programming. The 4K cameras include built-in microphones and Visual AI for speaker detection, aiming to bring high-quality intelligent video to everyday meeting rooms without the heavy infrastructure sometimes associated with larger systems.

What do these innovations mean in practice?

Early insights from the show point to a clear direction: solutions are becoming more energy-efficient, more flexible to deploy, and easier to integrate visually into the environment.

• Sustainability and energy consumption: e-paper and battery-based solutions enable digital communication with minimal energy use.

• Speed and flexibility: foldable LED and mobile displays reduce setup time and expand deployment options.

• New forms of communication: LED is shifting toward creative formats that align with architecture, routing and brand experience.

• Scalable management: AV over IP and smart video features make AV infrastructure more centrally manageable and easier to expand, with fewer standalone systems.

Advice on innovations from ISE 2026

ISE shows that visual communication is developing rapidly at the intersection of sustainability, design and operational simplicity. Heuvelman Sound & Vision provides guidance on translating these innovations into practical applications for organisations and venues.

Get in touch to schedule an advisory conversation about how these new innovations can be deployed.