The Best, Wildest, and Weirdest Things We Saw at CES This Year
For tech obsessives and gadget junkies there’s no better time of the year than the beginning of January. That’s when the Computer Electronics Show, or CES, is held in Las Vegas. Since 1967, computer and electronics companies both big and small have flocked to the annual trade show—which was first held in New York and then Chicago, before making the permanent move to Sin City—to show off their latest, greatest, and, increasingly, weirdest products in an attempt to build anticipation to a fever pitch. And this year’s show has been no different, whether you’re into futuristic EVs, bizarre home appliances, or useful wearables.
With all that in mind, here are the ten innovations that really caught our eye.
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Honda 0 Series Saloon
One of the coolest things at last year’s CES was Honda’s 0 Series Saloon concept. The Japanese automaker said the futuristic prototype was a preview of an upcoming EV, though few expected this to turn out to be the truth. Well, one year later, Honda announced that it is putting the stunning four-door into production next year. Best of all, the EV’s stunning wedge-shaped design has been left virtually untouched—though we will miss the concept’s gullwing doors. A similarly sleek 0 Series SUV is also on the way.
Nvidia Project Digits Personal AI Supercomputer
Thanks to Nvidia you no longer need millions (or even billions) of dollars of institutional backing to work on AI projects. The wildly successful chipmaker unveiled a tiny desktop device called Project Digits at this year’s convention that’s potent enough for the complex operations required to run and train AI models. What Digits lacks in size it makes up for in power, thanks to its GB100 “superchip,” 128 gigabytes of high-bandwidth unified memory, and 4 terabytes of NVMe storage. It will start at $3,000, which is a lot less than the cost of the supercomputers being used by OpenAI and the rest of its peers.
Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 ‘Rollable Laptop’
Sure, today’s laptops may be more powerful than ever before, but they aren’t radically different from those being used at the turn of the century. Enter the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6, which is being touted as the world’s first “rollable laptop.” No, you can’t roll the device like you would a newspaper—if only!—but its 120Hz OLED screen can grow, or unroll, from a height of 14 inches to 16.7 inches. That may not sound like much, but it gives you an extra 50 percent of usable screen space, which anyone who likes to work in multiple windows knows is a big deal. The PC will go on sale later this year for $3,499. Hopefully, a production version of the company’s transparent laptop concept will follow close behind.
Roborock Saros Z70 Robot Vacuum
Do you think all robot vacuums are the same? Wait until you see Roborock’s latest, the Saro Z70. The device is equipped with a mechanical arm that can pick up and remove obstacles in its path. An array of cameras and sensors allows the robot to process visual information and determine anything you may have left on the floor. You can even use the company’s app to program the arm so that it knows to put your dirty socks in the hamper every time it comes across them. The Saros Z70 is expected to start around $2,000 when it goes on sale later this year.
Halliday AI-Powered Smart Glasses
It’s been almost ten years since Google Glass was discontinued and tech companies are still trying to make smart glasses happen. It remains to be seen if any of them, outside of Meta’s Ray-Bans, will ever catch on, but Halliday’s have a chance. The startup’s AI-powered specs have a lightweight 3.6 mm optical display integrated into their frame that helps keep weight down. That display can project icons and text, as well as real-time translations. But the best feature may be that these stylish smart glasses, which will start at $489 when they launch later this year, look like something you would actually want to wear.
John Deere Autonomous Lawn Mower
John Deere is trying to make large-scale agriculture and landscaping a little easier for its clients. The Illinois-based company showed off four new autonomous vehicles at this year’s CES. The most interesting of the lot is a robot land mower designed specifically for landscaping. The vehicle is equipped four pairs of stereo equipment positioned atop the vehicle to allow for a 360-degree view. The mower is aimed at commercial clients but could come in handy for anyone struggling to keep their sprawling country estate looking sharp.
Displace TV Pro
Displace’s TVs all come with OLED displays, which will please the AV enthusiasts out there convinced the panels produce the most accurate image. But the real story here is the mount on the back of the set. That’s because each of the company’s Pro models, which is available with either a 27- or 55-inch display, is equipped with four large suction cups that allow it to stick to the wall without a mount. The TV also comes with a built-in battery and detachable speakers so you don’t have to deal with any pesky wires hanging down either. Pricing for the Pro starts at $3,999.
BMW’s Panormaic iDrive Infotainment System
It’s not just the exterior of BMW’s upcoming Neue Klasse EVs that are getting an overhaul. The German luxury automaker is also radically changing the look of its interiors. At the heart of the airy cabin will be the all-new Panoramic iDrive infotainment system. First teased in the first Vision Neue Klasse prototype from 2023, the touch-controlled system’s headline feature is a futuristic dashboard-spanning head-up display that projects vehicle information as floating 3-D graphics. The system will debut in the next generation 3-series later this year.
LG AeroCatTower
A cat perch may seem like one of the household fixtures least in need of a high-tech makeover. But don’t tell that to LG. The electronic giant’s AeroCatTower is topped with a scoop seat for your favorite feline friend that doubles as an adjustable air purifier. If that wasn’t enough, the perch is also equipped with a built-in heater for the colder months, as well as sensors that allow you to monitor the weight and health of your fuzzy pal. If it does end up going into production, expect it to cost more than the $500 the company’s AeroTower air purifiers normally go for.
Anker Solix Solar Beach Umbrella
Anker Solix’s new beach umbrella looks like any other beach umbrella with one key difference—its top is lined with flexible solar panels. The company says the collapsible device can generate up to 80 watts of solar power, which is enough to keep your phone and other battery-powered devices, like an electric cooler, running all day long. It’s also water IP67 water resistance should the sun go into hiding and the rain start coming down while you’re looking out at the sea.
