Weird and Wonderful Gadgets from CES 2024
We gathered the most bizarre items we encountered at CES 2024 this year.
Our roundup of the craziest tech and gadgets at CES 2024
Image credits: Sam Rutherford/Engadget
We always find some strange gadgets at CES. There’s no way around it, with thousands of exhibitors peddling their wares, trying to find a market for things no one has dreamed up before. From startups to giants like Samsung, there are plenty of things that make us pause, chuckle, and shake our heads. Here’s a few favorites from CES 2024. Keep in mind, weird doesn’t necessarily mean bad. It just means weird.
Sightful’s Spacetop AR Laptop
If you squint, you can see how a laptop paired to AR glasses could provide a much more expansive and immersive experience than a standard 14-inch laptop screen. Unfortunately, the narrow field of view, spongy keyboard, and high price make this a bit of a non-starter. 🖥️😮
Samsung Ballie
Yes, Ballie is definitely cute. We got a kick out of seeing it roll around its demo area at Samsung’s CES booth. But it’s still pretty weird to have a tiny robot follow you around so it can project a workout video on the ceiling while you work your abs. 🤖😂
Shift Robotics Moonwalkers
The Moonwalkers have a highbrow premise: by propelling the human wearing them a little bit further than they’d normally go when they take a step, this could add up to much more efficient walking over the course of a day, week, or lifetime. The new “X” model is lighter and has fewer wheels, making it theoretically easier to produce. But the original Moonwalker cost about $1,400, a wild amount of money. You’re probably just better off walking a little quicker. 🌒🚶♂️
Volkswagen’s ChatGPT-generated dinosaur story
While we can see the potential use cases for having a more intelligent voice assistant in your car, one powered by ChatGPT, having the car tell us a story about dinosaurs was a pretty weird way to go about demonstrating it. 🚗🦖
ZooGears TheButter — a “piano” for dogs
We’ve all seen videos of dogs “playing” an instrument, but this might be the first one purpose-built for a pet. “Teach” your dog to “play” this “piano” and you’ll surely get hours of entertainment. The $299 device even comes with an automated feeder to encourage your dog to keep going. 🐾🎹
One by One — downtempo music for dogs
Turns out downtempo music soothes pets and cartoons studying endlessly alike. We love the research showing this, but that still doesn’t explain why this is better than just letting your dog listen to your Spotify account. 🎶🐶
Flappie AI cat door
C’mon, just look how cute this is! Let the poor guy in, your cruel and arbitrary cat door. 😺🚪
Adam-X CPR dummy
Let’s be clear: “weird” does not necessarily mean “bad” or “useless.” Adam-X certainly does look useful for medical training. But, well, it’s also just a bit off-putting. 👨⚕️🙃
Weird and wonderful gadgets are part of the charm of CES. It’s a showcase of innovation and creativity, where companies push the boundaries of what is possible. While some of these gadgets may seem bizarre, they often pave the way for future developments and inspire new ideas in the tech world.
Q&A
Q: Are these weird gadgets actually useful? A: While some of these gadgets may seem strange or gimmicky, they often serve a purpose. For example, the Spacetop AR Laptop offers a more immersive display experience, and the Moonwalkers aim to improve walking efficiency. However, it’s important to consider their practicality and whether they justify their price tags.
Q: Do these gadgets have any impact on technological advancements? A: Absolutely! CES is a platform for showcasing emerging technologies and groundbreaking innovations. These weird gadgets, with their unique features and designs, often push the boundaries of what is possible in technology. They contribute to the overall progress in the industry and inspire future developments.
Q: What can we expect in the future based on these weird gadgets? A: The CES gadget lineup gives us a glimpse into the direction technology is heading. For instance, we can anticipate more advancements in augmented reality (AR) and wearable devices. These gadgets could become more integrated into our daily lives, offering enhanced experiences and functionalities. Additionally, we can expect further exploration of human-animal interaction through pet-oriented devices like TheButter and the Flappie AI cat door.
Keep an eye on these weird and wonderful gadgets – they may just pave the way for the next big thing in the tech world!
Reference Links: – Sightful’s Spacetop AR Laptop – Samsung Ballie – Shift Robotics Moonwalkers – Volkswagen’s ChatGPT-generated dinosaur story – ZooGears TheButter — a “piano” for dogs – One by One — downtempo music for dogs – Flappie AI cat door – Adam-X CPR dummy
So, which weird gadget caught your attention the most? Share your thoughts and let’s embrace the quirkiness of technology together! 😄👍
We’re reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.
