A press event ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) offered an early glimpse into what could be the biggest trends of the four-day event, which will attract around 170,000 people.

A gaming chair for virtual reality and a four-wheeled robot driven by a smart glove are among the first products to have been revealed at the world’s biggest technology convention.

The CES is taking place this week in Las Vegas, with major brands including Sony, Samsung and HTC all making announcements.

CES Unveiled, the preview event, included Ziro, a modular robotics kit that can be uniquely constructed from a starter pack. The device is then controlled using a smart glove, with movements of the hand controlling movement.

It is just one of hundreds of start-up products that come to CES looking for further investment.

The HairMax Laserband is a hands-free device said to treat hair loss.

Virtual reality is widely expected to feature heavily as a technology trend this year, and there were several kits on show at CES Unveiled.

Virtual reality is widely expected to feature heavily as a technology trend this year

One such example came from start-up Immersit, who have created a system that moves your sofa or chair in time with what you are watching on TV.

The firm says the creation enables users to “physically feel everything taking place on your screen”, and can also be used with virtual reality headsets.

A Bluetooth-enabled app named Chipolo uses your smartphone to track items.

“It starts vibrating and moving based on the film you are watching or the game you are playing and throws you right in the middle of all of the action,” said a spokesman.

Drones were also drawing crowds at the event, with manufacturer Parrot showing off their new Disco version, which rather than looking like a traditional quadcopter, takes on the form of a plane.

Unveiled is the official media event of CES, giving the several thousand reporters who attendthe show the chance to see some of the upcoming technology before the rest of the attendees head to the Las Vegas Convention Centre.