Tech companies are showcasing their latest products at CES, formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show, this week.
The show officially opened Thursday, with crowds of investors, media and tech flocking to Las Vegas’ cavernous venues to see the latest technology from big corporations and startups alike.
Here are some highlights:
Talking pets
Have you ever wondered what your dog would say if he could talk to you?
FluentPet promises the next best thing – buttons that the company says you can teach your pet to press when they’re hungry, need to go outside, or want to play.
The buttons are housed in a hexagonal plastic mat called a hextile. Hextiles can be linked together to form a larger collection of buttons.
“We find that when dogs know they are being understood because they have the precision and specificity of the buttons, they complain less because they no longer wonder if they really communicated what they wanted.” said Leo Trottier, CEO of FluentPet.
at CESthe company announced FluentPet Connect, a new app that notifies owners when their dog presses a button and collects data on how the buttons are used.
Fluent Pet’s starter kit comes with Hextiles, a speaker and six buttons for $159.95 (about Rs. 13,200). The app does not require a subscription.
A high-tech stroller
The smart stroller from the Canadian startup Gluxkind is designed to make life easier for parents on the move.
The AI-powered stroller has a sensor that can detect when you’ve picked up a fussy baby, prompting it to roll in front of you as you walk, without you having to touch it.
When the baby is in the stroller, you have to hold it in your hands, but the battery helps to propel it and makes it easier to push uphill. It will stop automatically if it gets too far from the person pushing it. It can also rock a baby back and forth.
The battery lasts about eight hours and takes two to four hours to charge.
“I looked at the stroller market and was really surprised that we didn’t find anything that had a level of automation or motorization,” said Anne Hunger, who founded the company with husband Kevin Huang after the birth of their daughter in 2020.
The company is currently taking pre-orders for the stroller and hopes to begin shipping them in July. Prices start from $3,300 (roughly Rs. 2,73,000).
A soothing pillow
Need a break? Japanese company Yukai Engineering says its robotic Fufuly pillow can help users relax by mimicking the rhythm of breathing.
The soft, fluffy pillow gently expands and contracts and vibrates as you hold it against your stomach. The idea is that as your breath begins to synchronize with the movement of the pillow, you will breathe slower and deeper.
It was developed based on research at the University of Tokyo.
Fufuly pillow by Yukai Engineering
Photo credit: Yukai Engineering
Yukai CEO Shunsuke Aoki said the pillow could help telecommuters who are struggling to disconnect from their work.
The version shown at CES is a prototype. The company is looking for partners and hopes to start production later this year.
robot dog
Meet Dog-E, the excited robotic dog.
Introduced by toy maker WowWee, Dog-E features over a million possible combinations of lights, sounds, and personality traits.
Dog-E starts out as a blank canvas and develops his personality as you set it up.
The app-connected toy has audio sensors to hear sounds, touch sensors on the sides and body, and a tail that you can program to display lighted icons and messages when it wags.
WowWee’s Jessica Kalichman says it’s a good option for those who can’t commit to owning an actual pup, or perhaps those with allergies.
“I think for anyone who isn’t ready to have a dog, this is a great test of taking care of them, learning to feed them, grooming them and really having that trial run for a family” , she said.
WowWee expects to have Dog-E in stores in September. It is sold for $79 (about 6,500 rupees). The toy movement control app does not require a subscription.
A collapsible treadmill
If you want a treadmill but don’t have a lot of space, WalkingPad offers a solution – a lightweight treadmill that folds in two and tucks away against a wall or under a bed when not in use.
WalkingPad reaches speeds of 12 km/h. It also includes a detachable phone or tablet holder and records your exercises in a free app. Its creators envision it helping teleworkers stay fit at home.
An early version of WalkingPad went viral Tick tock when influencers added it to videos about their daily work at home.
The inventor of the walking pad, King Smith Fitness, opened its first Dallas headquarters in December.
Join us for the latest from the Consumer Electronics Show on Gadgets 360 CES 2023 hub.
