Since its first conference in New York City in June 1967, CES® has taken center stage for innovation, showcasing breakthrough and futuristic technologies. From the Videocassette Recorder (VCR), which was announced in 1970, to the Digital Versatile Disk (DVD), announced in 1996, to 3D Printers and Wearable Technologies in 2014, thousands of products have been announced at the yearly show. Each year business leaders and pioneering thinkers come together to show the latest and greatest in tech and provide a platform for new products to launch. Due to COVID CES®, 2021 went virtual and showcased some jaw-dropping gears and gadgets; here are just a few that stood out.
Moley Robotics ‘The Kitchen’, $335,000
London-based Moley Robotics showed off their ceiling-mounted, two-armed kitchen robot, a world’s first. Pre-programmed with thousands of recipes and even having the ability to clean up after itself, The Kitchen is truly something remarkable. After six years of R&D, this masterpiece centers on two articulating hands that glide along a track installed in the ceiling of your kitchen. Mirroring professional chefs’ movements, users have to select what they want to eat from a touchscreen, and viola, the robot does the rest. Although the robot can handle the cooking, users will still have to do some prep work (peeling, dicing, etc.).
Samsung’s 110-inch MicroLED TV, $156,000
With pre-orders well underway since December of last year, the MicroLED TV aimed at the home market is set to hit the US market shortly. Featuring the first new screen technology in a decade, the tv has eight million pixels and a 99.99% screen-to-body ratio. Delivering 4K HDR content and a split-screen feature that can divvy up the massive screen to up to four 55-inch screens also comes with an embedded sound system that offers 5.1 channel sound. The emerging flat-panel display technology will be available in 110, 99, and 88-inch models.
Bodyfriend’s Quantum Massage Chair, $6,000
The futuristic massage chair by South Korean company Bodyfriend is a more futuristic pod versus a simple reclined massage chair. Some of its distinct features include an AI voice control functionality, a screen for watching with a top-notch Bang & Olufsen sound system, and the world’s first Uninterruptible Power Suppler (UPS) for massage chairs. Its cutting-edge design goes beyond just touch and hearing to really ignite all the senses and provides ventilated and heated seats and an improved zero-gravity mode.
Razer Project Hazel N95 Mask Concept, TBD
Although this item is just a concept, this mask concept is clearly hot and center, with the coronavirus, still raging. According to Razer, this new high-tech mask is claimed to be the world’s smartest mask, a reusable N95 respirator with a distinctly futuristic design. Made from waterproof and scratch-resistant recycled plastic, the transparent shell is supposed to see facial cues better and lip-reading through the mask. Although it has not earned any approvals from the FDA or CDC, Razer has claimed that it will be certified to filter 95 percent of airborne particles.
Arcade1Up’s Infinity Game Table, $499 & $699
The Infinity Game Table was launched on Kickstarter in October with a goal of $50,000, and on the last check, they have over $1 million pledged. Available as a 24-inch model, $499, and 32-inch model, $699, the revitalized home arcade by Arcade1Up is set to redefine the look and feel of a vintage arcade cabinet. Designed to sit on a table or its own custom detachable legs, the Infinity Game Table will feature classic games on an HD Touchscreen with responsive tactile feedback and personalized dynamic zoom viewing. It will allow you to play favorites like Hasbro’s Monopoly™and Scrabble™together with friends and family or online with fellow board game lovers.
