This year's CES was a total AI fest – companies were going all-in on injecting artificial intelligence into every conceivable product. It's like they collectively decided, "You know what would make this better? AI!"
Let's kick things off with Samsung's "Ballie" which originally debuted at CES 2020. This personalised companion understands and supports you, your family and even your pets! Imagine a cute, little yellow robot that's not just a showpiece – it's a reliable at-home helper. It looks like a yellow bowling ball, but this ball of sunshine is no slouch.
Ballie can take control of your Samsung smart home devices, project visuals with its built-in projector that can send you texts and video clips of what's happening at home while you're away. Ballie even dabbles in some light pet-sitting, projecting cat and dog TV to keep your furry friend entertained. Need your curtains closed, lights on, or a calming yoga video projected onto your ceiling while you zen out? Ballie's got your back. Samsung's keeping us on the edge of our seats about when Ballie will hit the market, so stay tuned for that surprise.
Then there's the Rabbit R1 AI device, priced at a cool $199. It's a new type of device, like having a personal assistant in your pocket that isn’t trying to replace your phone but instead it’s AI-enabled hardware understands and interfaces with your phone to complete tasks for you. It can even learn to use your apps through voice commands. It's the personal assistant you've always dreamed of – a gadget that swaps out apps for an operating system that learns how to use apps on your behalf. It's like having a tech-savvy sidekick that responds to your voice commands and takes care of your phone's apps. Currently available for pre-order, this nifty gadget is set to ship in mid-March.
WeHead GPT is an AI companion that has given ChatGPT a face - literally. If the idea of a talking, humanoid head sounds a bit creepy, you're not alone. WeHead GPT ‘s robotic head with a large language model and screens for AI-generated eyes and faces. It gives practical advice, like reminding you to stay hydrated and wear comfortable shoes, but at a price – $4,950 to be exact. If you're not ready to commit to a lifelong relationship with WeHead GPT, you can test the waters by renting it for $199 per month.
Kodiak Robotics showcased a driverless-ready autonomous truck. Taking the driver out of the equation, Kodiak revealed its sixth-generation Class 8 autonomous truck. After five years of testing, covering more than 2.5 million miles with 5,000 driver-monitored autonomous loads, Kodiak is ready to launch a production-ready model without a human driver. They plan to roll these out in Texas later this year. Loadsmith has already placed an order for up to 800 of these autonomous truck systems, starting in late 2025.
Even beauty giant L'Oreal is hopping on the AI bandwagon, joining the AI club with its beauty advice chatbot. Using AI, the chatbot recommends specific products based on a user's needs, all from a simple photograph. It's like having a beauty expert at your fingertips.
During his first-ever keynote at CES 2024, L’Oréal CEO Nicolas Hieronimus emphasised how technical transformation guarantees business success through serving consumer interests and as a testament to the continued commitment to innovation coming from fashion and beauty brands.
Moving on to Moonwalkers – not Michael Jackson's signature move, but Shift Robotics' AI-powered strap-on shoes. These aren't your average kicks; they make you walk faster. The Moonwalkers X model, showcased at CES 2024, is significantly lighter, quicker and smarter than its predecessor. With six wheels, improved control and shock absorption, these robotic shoes are designed for business and commercial use. Picture this: warehouse employees covering 30,000 steps a day, enhancing their productivity and reducing travel time. Moonwalkers X are set to hit the market in the first half of 2024, but they will cost you over £1,000 so may not be for everyone.
Now, let's shift our focus to some non-AI tech that caught our eye at CES.
Amazfit’s Helio Smart Ring is redefining how we track our health. Forget clunky fitness trackers; this smart ring monitors your health in the background. This discreet ring can track heart rate, sleep, electrodermal activity, blood oxygen, stress and more. Made from a titanium alloy, it's only 2.6mm thick, offers 10ATM water resistance and weighs under 4 grams. With two sizes launching this spring (10 and 12) and another smaller version in the pipeline, this sleek health tracker is one to watch.
XGIMI Horizon Max Projector aims to bring the IMAX experience to your home. This world-first long-throw IMAX-certified 4K projector boasts 3,100 lumens of brightness, a 2000:1 contrast ratio and automatic optimisation based on your room's space. No need to stress about finding that perfect positioning and settings – the projector does it for you. While the pricing details and release date are still under wraps, we're excited about the potential this brings to home entertainment.
Razer's Project Esther stole the show with a vibrating cushion for gamers. It straps onto any chair and promises a more immersive gaming experience through carefully calibrated vibrations. Razer's Project Esther is not just any cushion; it's a proof-of-concept showcasing Razer's Sensa HD haptics platform. This vibrating cushion integrates into most office or gaming chairs, providing a more immersive gaming experience. With 16 actuators offering better sensations of direction, distance and location, Project Esther aims to take gaming to the next level. No word on pricing yet, but the concept of a vibrating cushion for enhanced gaming experiences is intriguing and worth keeping an eye on.
Eureka's Dual Washing Bot is a game-changer in the world of household appliances. This upcoming washing machine is not just about cleaning clothes; it's a 4-in-1 wonder that does it all: wash, dry, vacuum and mop. This smart home gadget is all in one sleek design that promises to make your life easier. It's like having a robotic cleaning crew right in your laundry room. Currently available in China, it is set to launch in the United States soon. Eureka hasn't got an exact launch date or any pricing details for the Dual Washing Bot yet, but what we do know is that it'll be available to buy from major resellers as soon as it becomes available.
And for those who miss the days of physical keyboards on smartphones and are nostalgic for physical keyboards, Clicks Technology is bringing buttons back. The case adds a physical QWERTY keyboard to your iPhone, giving you the tactile satisfaction of button pressing. Compatible with the iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, this case brings back the joy of physical keyboards, complete with backlit keys and support for Mac and iPad keyboard shortcuts. Priced between $139 and $159, it's a nostalgic throwback for those who appreciate the feel of physical buttons.
CES 2024 showcased an impressive array of AI-driven innovations and other tech wonders, promising a future where our gadgets are not just tools but intelligent companions, making our lives more convenient and entertaining. Whether it's AI-powered robots, robotic shoes, vibrating cushions, or multi-functional household appliances, the tech landscape is evolving rapidly and CES remains the ultimate playground for these futuristic innovations.
