From color-changing cars to autonomous strollers, here are some of the coolest tech at CES 2023 | CNN Business
CNN
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A long list of companies once again showcased a variety of cutting-edge technology and strange gadgets the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week.
There was new twists on foldable devices, cars that changed color and smart ovens that live dinners There was an autonomous stroller, a pillow that pulsates to reduce anxiety, and an LG wardrobe that claims to deodorize smelly sneakers in less than 40 minutes. At the event, some people gathered in groups, sitting in silenceto test the latest virtual reality products.
While some of these devices may never make it into homes, the products on display offer a glimpse into some of the biggest technology trends that companies are anticipating this year and in the years to come.
Here are some of the most popular products announced this past week:
BMW has unveiled a wild color-changing concept car with 260 electronic panels that can change up to 32 colors. During a demonstration, different parts of the car, including the wheel covers, appeared in different hues and swirls of color. The technology, which is based on panels that receive electrical impulses, is not ready for production. (Breaks between the panels and what appeared to be wiring could be seen on the outside of the car.) But imagine being able to drive a sporty red car on the weekends and then a conservative gray model when you go to work.
If you think taking photos of your meal for Instagram is overkill, now you can live stream your dinner as it’s being cooked and post it to your social media. Samsung’s new AI wall oven features an internal camera that can capture images of your food in the oven or allow you to monitor it without leaving the couch. The oven, which uses an algorithm to recognize dishes and suggest cooking times and temperatures, also sends notifications to your phone to avoid burning food The oven will launch in North America later this year; pricing has not yet been announced.
Canadian baby gear startup Gluxkind showed off its Ella AI smart stroller. It offers much of the same technology seen in self-driving cars and delivery robots, including a dual-motor system for uphill walks and automatic braking assistance when going downhill. It’s meant to serve as an “extra pair of eyes and an extra set of hands,” according to the company’s website, not a replacement for a caregiver. The Ella stroller is capable of driving itself for hands-free strolls, but only when there is no child in it.
No gadget at this year’s CES was as surprising as startup Shiftall’s Mutalk mouthpiece. The device, which looks like a muzzle, includes a soundproof Bluetooth microphone that makes it difficult for others in the room to hear your voice when you make calls. The company believes that the $200 gadget will be useful for everything voice chats and play online games to shout in virtual reality when you don’t want to disturb anyone else nearby. Instead of hearing you, they will simply see your new mouth; you can decide which is worse.
If you’ve ever wanted to hit 15 miles per hour on skates, this electric pair from French startup AtmosGear promises to help you get there. With a battery that holds one hour of charge and the ability to travel more than 12 miles, the skates can be attached to any existing skates, turning them into motorized footwear. The skates are currently available for pre-order for $525.
You’ve probably heard of smartphones that come with headphones, but what about headphones that come with a screen? The JBL Tour Pro 2 headphones add a touchscreen to the case brings smartwatch-like capabilities allowing users to control their settings, answer calls, set alarms, manage music and check battery life. No release date has been announced, but the new buds will cost $250 when they eventually go on sale.
Some companies offered a new twist to the flip phone concept. For example, Samsung Display’s Flex Hybrid prototype features a foldable and sliding screen (the right side slides out to provide more screen space). Meanwhile, the $3,500 Asus Zenbook 17 Fold OLED, the world’s first 17-inch folding laptop, garnered a lot of buzz in the showroom, acting almost like a large tablet that can be folded in half when you are on the move
Called “the world’s first awareness,” the $500 Nowatch is a watch… without a watch. The Amsterdam-based startup of the same name launched the device to help users monitor stress, body temperature, heart rate, movement and sleep. But unlike other smartwatches, there’s no watch face; instead, a gemstone sits where the touch screen usually goes. “We’ve replaced the traditional watch face with ancient stones, celebrating the belief that time is NOW,” the company said on its website.
Honda and Sony have joined forces to create technology-packed electric cars that they say will be fun to drive and packed with the latest entertainment innovation. According to the CEO of Sony Honda Mobility, its cars will recognize your moods and will be highly communicative and responsive to your needs. The car will have screens on the outside so it can “express itself” and share information and will be able to “detect and understand people and society through sensing and [artificial intelligence] technologies,” according to the company. That’s why the company named its first joint car brand Afeela, as it should just “feel” good. But it’s not clear if we feel that name.
While it usually requires a blood panel and a visit to the doctor’s office to learn more about vitamin deficiencies, Withins says its new $500 U-Scan device can give you similar information from the comfort of your toilet. The device attaches to existing toilets and collects urine flow data to detect vitamin deficiencies, check hydration and monitor metabolism, according to the company. An additional device called the U-Scan Cycle Sync tracks periods and ovulation cycles.
Schlage’s new smart lock is one of the first to work with Apple’s Home Key functionality, allowing users to upload their keys to their Apple Wallet and unlock their locked front door directly from their phone or Apple Watch. The lock also works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice-controlled and hands-free locking. Available in two finishes, the bolt can manage passcodes, view lock history and manage multiple locks at once. The lock, which will cost $300, will be available for purchase later this spring, according to a company press release.
– CNN’s Peter Valdes-Depena contributed to this report
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