ISE 2026: What Takeaways for Indian AV

Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) – AV world’s largest annual congregation – this time beckoned the global AV communities with a rather ‘predictive’ punch-line theme- Push Beyond. For, a sheer logic that no static technology can take the rapid currents of the demanding world, and it needed to reinvent every time, demands transcending the current, if not the visible possibilities.

Like most AV geographies, Indian AV too has had its own enthusiastic numbers at the event, and SIA connected with a select cross-section of the industry to know what are their takeaways from the ‘push beyond’ fare.

We have quite an interesting tech-fare.

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ISE, by its very build and breadth, will have something for everyone in AV. That’s the reputation of the mega event. One truly needs to ‘push beyond’ to find what’s relevant to oneself and how- from the plenitude and multitude of technology formats, competing with one another.

While advanced AI appeared to take centrestage – transforming standalone products into connected environments aimed at creating experiences – immersive, collaborative solutions, and robotics were visibly in larger focus at the event. These apart, it was AI-driven UC for some, while it was invisible and rollable LED screens for others, and it was next-gen control room solutions for some others. All these technology formats can be potential drivers for Indian AV in the times to come.

With a view to draw a bigger picture that can be relevant to Indian AV, SIAsia connected with a select cross section of the AV echelons in the country. Find them all out here:

What technology/solution(s) were most impressive?  – and why?

ABHIMANYU GUPTA, Director, Actis Technologoies: This year’s ISE felt like it was defined more by steady refinement of technologies than major innovations.

New-gen PTZ cameras are evolving to support hybrid environments better. The dual camera PTZ systems were particularly interesting, as they increase both the audience coverage and image quality in video calls while the advancement in AI-driven speaker and audio tracking continues. Combined view function also makes it simpler to capture active speakers, presenters and groups better and is an alternative to multi-camera systems for a better remote viewing experience.

The advent of 0.7mm DVLED walls extends the utility of video walls across a spectrum of applications and installation scenarios. That means they can now be utilised in spaces traditionally limited by size or resolution. Other parameters of performance such as ease of setup and configuration and preset content layouts also make them easier to use.

In audio too, there is much improvement, with DSPs, microphones and speakers all pushing the boundaries of clarity and consistency, especially in larger venues or noisy environments. As a result of advances in AI and other signal processing technologies, there is a much better ability to mitigate background noise, audio clutter and reverberation.

This will benefit various corporate settings and hospitality venues where intelligibility and sound quality are vital to the experience of users.

RAJA S PRABHU, Director, iHD India: There were few interesting upgrades such as Crestron’s One Beyond, new dual cam solutions, AVISPL Signify platform, JBL Immersive Demo, Aurora AVoIP, Lightware solutions, Sennheiser microphones and Audac. Two of them were particularly interesting: The Audac solution with the smallest/slimmest and impressively good sounding system in combination with their new subwoofers; then the Inogeni NDI camera which promises to simplify a lot of the solutions.

SACHIN JAIN, Director, PLAY TECHNOLOGIES: Renkus Heinz ICLX-48S column subwoofer appeared interesting. There has always been an issue of subwoofers being larger than column speakers and difficult to fit in tight spaces. Renkus has now transformed the space by bringing in column subwoofers in the same form factor as column speakers. This enables us to now fly both speakers and subs in tight spaces in a columnar form.

SACHIN HALLIKERI, Vice-President(Technology, Solution & Engineering), Online Instruments: ISE 2026 clearly demonstrated how Unified Communications is evolving into an intelligent, AI-led collaboration ecosystem rather than just a meeting-room technology.

What impressed me most was the depth at which AI is being embedded into UC platforms—from real-time audio-video optimization and adaptive camera intelligence to centralized analytics and automated room management. These innovations are not incremental upgrades; they fundamentally improve usability, consistency, and reliability across enterprise collaboration spaces.

UC is no longer about connecting people—it’s about enabling intelligent, frictionless collaboration at scale.

HARDIK MEHTA, Design Consultant, EYTE Technologies: One of the most remarkable technology format at ISE this year was the Holographic Invisible Screen by MAX WAVE. What we felt truly standing out was the demonstration of a humanoid robot appearing to dance on a completely transparent screen surface. The display was fully see-through, yet it rendered high-contrast, vibrant holographic visuals that appeared to float in mid-air.

The ability to maintain transparency while producing sharp, dynamic visuals makes this solution both futuristic and commercially viable — particularly for premium experience-driven environments.

If positioned correctly, this technology could redefine digital signage and experiential AV installations in India.

GIRIPRASAD UPADHYA, Vice-President(Projects), Sigma-AVIT:  Across the show floor, AI was the one to stand out. While many exhibitors showcased AI-driven solutions that automate content, optimise workflows, and enhance user experiences Q-SYS classroom and board room solution was one good one.

Next was the flexible LED, and immersive display technologies. The next-generation LED displays such as micro-LED, modular fine pitch dvLED and energy-efficient e-paper signage, 0.6mm without cabinet Dled can redefine visual experiences in retail, corporate, and experiential spaces.

These technologies have a big stake as they make the AV environments smarter, with higher engagements but with simplified operations.

What technology/solution felt game-changing? – and why?

ABHIMANYU: We see cloud-based AV operations and control platform capability elevating from emerging trend to wider adoption which can be game-changing. As standards evolve and adoption ramps up, they are set to drastically change how organisations deploy, manage and scale AV environments over the coming years.

These platforms make it much easier to monitor, troubleshoot and update a larger number of devices and more complex AV environments like complete-buildings and connected campuses remotely. By utilising real-time data, simplified set-up and unified control, technology management takes lesser time, and makes meetings more productive, learning more engaging and collaboration more seamless.

We hope to see a growing consensus on open standards in this space.

SACHIN JAIN: The Crestron AM-TX3-200 connect endpoint is quite game changing. It makes the wired connectivity on the table truly hybrid and wireless, by allowing users to connect traditional wires to their devices and transmitting it back to the display wirelessly via the airmedia. For larger conference spaces, cable cubby with USB-C, HDMI and USB for BYOD connectivity is still a requirement along with wireless presentation. Till now, integrations needed switchers with wires running from below the table to the rack for the wired connections. With Crestron end-point running wires is not required, giving true flexibility both for furniture layouts and AV connections.

SACHIN HALLIKERI: The most game-changing development was use of AI to transform UC spaces into self-optimizing environments. AI-driven capabilities such as speaker tracking, dynamic framing, voice isolation, noise suppression, meeting insights, and proactive fault detection are redefining how users interact with AV systems. The technology adapts automatically to the room, users, and meeting context- minimizing manual intervention and maximizing experience quality.

‘AI is shifting AV from room-centric systems to experience-centric platforms.’

HARDIK MEHTA: The glasses-free 3D display with gesture control by Sony felt like one game-changing technology. Its ability to deliver immersive three-dimensional visuals without the need for 3D goggles or wearable devices makes it unique. The depth perception was natural and highly realistic, creating a true spatial viewing experience.

Addition of gesture control further elevated the solution. Users can interact with 3D objects in real time- rotating, zooming, and manipulating content through intuitive hand movements. This transformed the display from a passive viewing surface into an interactive spatial computing interface.

It can be an ideal solution for design studios, medical visualization, education, R&D labs, and high-end corporate experience centres.

GIRIPRASAD: AI-embedded full ecosystems where AI mediates everything from content adaptation to system health checks is potentially game-changing. These platforms are shifting from standard AV control to proactive, self-optimising systems that anticipate user behaviour and streamline performance. Cisco and Logitech were two prominent of this kind.

Also, Interactive immersive media & mixed reality workflows where content reacts in real-time to users, blending physical and digital experiences may be potential game-changers. These push traditional screens into dynamic, responsive canvases.

This is more than incremental improvement- it’s a shift toward user-centric, adaptive spaces where technology not just responds to commands, it anticipates needs and initiates actions.

What takeaways do you think the event offered to Indian AV?

SACHIN HALLIKERI: ISE 2026 confirmed that the future of AV lies in AI-driven Unified Communications—where experience, intelligence, and scalability define success.

RAJA PRABHU: Technology is becoming more toward IT and simplifying by the day. As a technology specialists need to think creatively to build customised solutions. Else, they will be nowhere very soon.

HARDIK: There are many takeaways per se. However, some of the important items that may have immediate bearing for Indian AV are next-gen control room solutions; invisible display and transparent screens; medical applications; rollable and curtain LED solutions.