The Quirky CES 2025 Awards: Celebrating the Absurd and Amusing!

CES (previously the Consumer Electronics Show) is the largest technology exhibition of the calendar year. It establishes the groundwork for all the amazing devices we can expect to see over the upcoming year. However, among the various quadcopters, potentially friendly robots, and gadgets featuring sleek flexible displays, numerous minor aspects contribute to making CES an exceptional affair. To showcases some of the whimsical, absurd, and occasionally heartwarming elements we encountered at this year’s exhibition, we proudly present the very unofficial Silly Fun awards for CES 2025.

Cutest digger – Komatsu PC01E-2

Komatsu’s PC01E-2 resembles a toy for young children, yet it is fully functional and incredibly adorable. You might feel the urge to walk over and pinch that tiny bucket until it blushes. Nevertheless, it’s not all play because this compact excavator is designed to assist with digging tasks — even in confined quarters. Actually, it’s compact enough to fit in most elevators, so if you find yourself needing to do some excavating, say, on a rooftop, Komatsu’s got your back.

Most likely to be vaporware – FX Super One

We typically strive to maintain a positive outlook regarding new technology. However, since Faraday Future unveiled its inaugural concept vehicle back in 2016, the company has manufactured fewer than 20 cars in total. For the notable feat of creating fewer than two dozen vehicles, Faraday Future’s founder and CEO went ahead and granted themselves raises. Now at CES 2025, the firm is attempting to make a resurgence with its new lineup of FX electric vehicles, although it didn’t even bother to coat them with paint. That unique camouflage used by automakers is ordinarily intended to obscure a vehicle’s design prior to its announcement, not to present it as an incomplete product at its own promotional event. That being said, labeling it as 50 percent completed is likely overly generous. Therefore, while there’s always the possibility that a company can turn things around, do not be astonished if you never spot an FX Super One on the roads.

If you ever require someone to forsake their fashion sensibilities for a narrative, he’s your go-to person. Yet, even with a floppy solar panel-equipped, chaotic head accessory, there’s still no question that he’s the most stylish gentleman.

Everyone constantly worries about when our robotic overlords will arrive to dominate us. Yet it’s humans we should likely be most concerned about. This is demonstrated during a demonstration for Unitree’s robot, where its human operator mistakenly mishandled the controller, leading to the robot essentially tackling our own Karissa Bell. Regardless of being human or robot, that’s simply unacceptable.

Most adorable – Mirumi

Initially, this compilation was intended to showcase intriguing items we spotted at CES that received minimal recognition (or criticism) elsewhere, but then Mirumi won an accolade. Nonetheless, I have no issue with that. This robot is crafted to accomplish a singular purpose — to cling to your arm and gaze adorably at things while you stroll around. It’s fundamentally a fluffy ball with eyes and an undeniable clinginess. And I shall safeguard and treasure it with my life.

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Let’s be honest, maintaining your skin is crucial. It’s the body’s largest organ, after all! However, if conventional moisturizers, creams, and exfoliators aren’t sufficient for you, I remain skeptical about Shark’s red light mask being the solution. If I’m at home and my partner steps out of the bathroom resembling a certain Doctor Doom, I’m not crawling into bed. I’m dashing out the door to summon Reed Richards for assistance.

Chillest booth: AARP

The AARP characterizes itself as “the country’s premier nonprofit, nonpartisan association devoted to empowering Americans aged 50 and above to decide how they live as they grow older.” Instead of urging individuals to race from booth to booth while exploring all the innovative gadgets showcased at CES, the AARP opted to install a full-fledged pickleball court right on the exhibition floor. Unsurprisingly, attendees of all ages took to the court, casually exchanging balls and enjoying a leisurely time amidst the year’s largest tech expo. Props to y’all.

Company with the most FOMO – Jackrabbit

Las Vegas is an insult to Mother Nature. It’s an inhospitable city situated in the desert, brimming with various temptations and enough neon lights to fry your mind. Hence, when a company opts against flying in for CES, we understand. Yet that doesn’t grant you the right to finagle your way into the spotlight by dispatching email pitches about being “ideal for CES, but wise enough to skip it.” Either take a stand and endure like the rest of us or stay silent. So, hey Jackrabbit, you claim you’re fine with not attending CES. That’s cool, we share the same sentiment.

You know what feels secure? An electric scooter that converts into a quadcopter, but only after you manually set up the propellers and arms. The basic model has around 25 minutes of flight duration. Although the manufacturer claims there are several safety features, it also includes an integrated parachute. Don’t misunderstand me; I’m not indicating we can’t have aerial taxis or other hybrid flying vehicles. However, this contraption does not evoke trust. If you possess more bravery than prudence, please give it a shot and inform us of the outcome.

Not every component needs to focus on generating higher frame rates, and MSI showcased this notion by introducing a CPU cooler equipped with a miniature turntable. You might wonder what the purpose is? Just gaze at that cheerful little dragon perched on its throne. Isn’t it adorable? But genuinely, you could place anything up there that brings you joy. The only disappointing aspect is that this water block is just a concept, and MSI has no real intentions of retailing it. What a letdown.

We were unable to reach a consensus on which was more absurd, thus a tie was declared in this category. Regarding Dell, its fresh unified branding is, for the most part, acceptable. After all, very few people actually care about designations like Latitude, Inspiron, and Optiplex. However, eliminating the XPS moniker, which is the one Dell sub-brand that has genuinely held significance, is an excessive measure.

On the other hand, in a bid to attract younger consumers who may not have a preference for its traditional black laptops, Lenovo produced a ThinkPad devoid of carbon fiber or the Trackpoint nub. That’s utterly blasphemous. Admittedly, if you’re under 50, it might not matter, but anyone who grew up with rotary phones is likely quite irritated.

Most Risqué Booth: Handy

CES showcases an array of sexual technology, yet even amid the assortment of vibrators and various devices, the Handy booth somehow stood out as the most suggestive. This is due to the fact that in addition to presenting a variety of risqué gadgets, the company had attendees queuing up to spin a wheel for the opportunity to win a personal prize. And if individuals enthusiastically waiting for a chance to take home a pleasure device to satisfy their desires isn’t suggestive, I don’t know what qualifies. Just maybe keep it zipped until you return home.