The annual CES convention in Las Vegas is renowned for featuring the most cutting-edge and unconventional technology that the industry has to offer. Navigating the exhibition floor at this consumer electronics show can be an overwhelming yet entertaining experience, as it brings together small, ambitious startups showcasing their products alongside established tech giants.
Here are some of the most intriguing and unusual technological products exhibited at the show:
Face Mask That Can Make Phone Calls
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many people to adapt to wearing face masks to prevent the transmission of the virus. Although it has been years since restrictions have been lifted, Skyted brings back the face mask but with a twist.
This is not a mere face covering but a gadget that lets the user call people; just plug the phone into the face mask using a USB-C plug. Skyted's face mask keeps 80% of the sound inside and blocks the noise from the surroundings to allow users to make private calls without worrying that strangers might eavesdrop on conversations.
'Micro-Electric' Gym Leggings
Barunbio Energywear, a biotech company showcased at CES 2024 in Las Vegas, is introducing workout clothes designed to provide a unique experience during exercise. Despite appearing like typical functional and stylish gear, these clothes are engineered to deliver low-power electrical stimulation throughout the body.
What sets them apart is the absence of batteries; instead, the products utilize the wearer's movements, akin to the static electrical shock sensation from shuffling wool socks on a carpet, to generate power. Known as WE-Stim (Wearable Electric Stimulation), the company's innovative gear aims to activate muscle cells, thereby enhancing workout performance.
Instant Ice Cream Machine
Cold Snap's instant ice cream machine, akin to a Keurig coffee maker, quickly garnered attention at CES with its efficient process: insert a disposable pod, press a button, and in two minutes, enjoy a creamy treat.
Priced at around $500, this innovation, designed for places with high ice cream consumption like offices and hotels, eliminates cleanup hassle by integrating the churning paddle into the disposable pods.
See-Through Televisions
LG and Samsung have revealed plans for fully transparent televisions, with LG introducing the 77-inch LG Signature OLED-T at CES 2024. Described as the world's first 4K, wireless, transparent OLED TV, it serves as both a design object and a versatile display, offering the option to appear as a clear glass pane or showcase vivid content when turned on, all while eliminating visible cables with a wireless transmission box.
Eyeglasses With Hearing Aids
EssilorLuxottica, the maker of Oakley, Ray-Ban, and Native Eyewear, announced it will begin selling eyeglasses with built-in hearing aids that amplify the sound coming from the wearer's direction. The product, called Nuance Audio, will be sold in the US beginning in the Fall of 2024 and then in Europe around the half of 2025.
AI Binoculars That Can Identify Birds and Mammals
These $4,800 binoculars from Swarovski Optic are powered by artificial intelligence (AI) that can identify birds as well as European and North American mammals. A red circle will appear when there is a bird in sight and will identify what type of bird it is. Also, it has features to identify a species of squirrel by just rotating a knob and pressing a button.
Creepy Robot Head
WeHead's robot head might be the perfect companion in the future. At the convention, attendees are instructed to talk to it like they would talk with a friend. Unfortunately, it did not go well perhaps due to the noisy place as the robot would keep interrupting the speaker.
Nonetheless, the company representative said that it could be useful for customer service to answer simple questions or in journaling one's day. For now, companies can buy the creepy robot head for $5,000 or rent it for $200 a month.
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