The weirdest devices we noticed at Consumer Electronics Present

LAS VEGAS — For each large display screen TV and head-turning AI mannequin that emerged out of CES this yr, there was an organization looking for a marketplace for one thing that was simply plain odd — at finest. Part of the enjoyment of strolling the Consumer Electronics Show’s more and more massive flooring is stumbling throughout devices that make you cease, stare and, ask “whut??”

Some are prototypes, designed particularly for that purpose. Some are the goals of an entrepreneur who was on the lookout for a brand new market. They’re each wonderful and baffling. Here’s a have a look at a half-dozen that raised our eyebrows this yr.

The hairdryer that is additionally a lamp

Dreame’s large blow dryer is a C-shaped hairdryer that stands about as tall as a flooring lamp. The firm says it not solely dries hair, however can be designed to care on your follicles, with a pink mild to revitalize the scalp and a protecting mist. But if you’re correctly coiffed, it can be used as a flooring lamp and temper mild. Dreame says it’s going to launch this summer time. Oh, and it’ll price $700. Who’s the audience? No thought! Does it adequately dry hair? Couldn’t inform you! (It wasn’t plugged in on the present.) Do we care? Not in any respect. This is the form of absurdity that makes CES fascinating.

AI hair clippers

AI was ubiquitous at CES, that means it was a number of locations it simply should not have been. Glyde’s good hair clipper wasn’t the worst offender, nevertheless it actually raised questions. It comes outfitted with an AI hair-cutting coach in addition to an computerized fade trimming, letting you be your individual barber. (Of course, you may be your individual barber with a Flowbee, however that does not make it a good suggestion.) Glyde customers may also must put on an extremely dorky wanting face band, so the clippers know the place they’re in your head.

The robotic that stalks your pet

Curious in case your canine hops on the couch if you’re not residence or in case your cat is planning world domination? The Vex is a small robotic that may observe your pet round by the day, capturing movies and making an attempt to play with them. It will even edit the movies collectively for you — utilizing AI, after all. The Vex continues to be in growth, although, so it does not have a value or launch date. 

A $400 vibrating chef’s knife

Chef’s knives are a beneficial software within the kitchen. And Seattle Ultrasonics’ C-200 UltraSonic Chef’s Knife, is hoping you will discover its worth to be at the very least $400. The knife sends ultrasonic vibrations into the blade, which are supposed to make slicing simpler. And admittedly, it does appear to make it simpler to slice into gadgets. That may assist folks with arthritis, however $400 for a knife you not solely must hold sharp, but in addition must plug in (oh.. need a wi-fi charging station? That’s one other $149) is loads to ask.

A lollypop that performs music

Bone conduction is a novel know-how that some headphone producers have been exploiting for some time. By transmitting sound as vibrations by your cheekbones and jaw to your interior ear, bypassing the eardrum, you possibly can get pleasure from your tunes and nonetheless hear the surroundings round you. The makers of Lollipop Star have blended that with sweet. You can get pleasure from a sucker whereas listening to certainly one of a half dozen or so songs (from Ice Spice, Armani White or different artists — you will not discover Taylor Swift’s songs). Each sucker prices $10.

An AI ‘soulmate’

China-based Lepro may need had the oddest/most terrifying merchandise on the present. The firm fortunately displayed a desktop OLED display screen that homes an AI “soulmate” for people. Lepro says the companion is empathetic and connects with customers on a deep degree. Pretty a lot everybody else simply referred to as it hella creepy.