From color-changing cars to rhythmic pillows, this year’s CES (formerly the Consumer Electronics Show) features a wide range of innovations. Some aim to solve real-world problems; some seek merely to entertain. And a few inventions are . . . well, just a little out there.
Here are some of the coolest and kookiest devices from CES 2023:
SMART MIXER
GE Profile debuts an appliance that weighs ingredients right in the bowl. The high-tech mixer also holds a sensor that detects changes in texture, adjusts beater speed, and shuts itself off to avoid overmixing. The mixer offers voice control, so there’s no need to stop for washing hands mid-use.
SMART BIRD FEEDER
Bird Buddy’s new feeder takes snapshots of feathered friends as they approach. AI technology recognizes more than 1,000 species. Birdwatchers can also share their feeders’ bird types through an app. “We try to kind of gamify the collection so it’s a really fun game that you can play—almost like a real-life Pokémon Go with real animals and wildlife in your backyard,” says Kyle Buzzard (no kidding—his real name!), the company’s co-founder and chief hardware officer.
AVOCADO SCANNER
Yep. Knowing exactly when produce is ripe or too firm sounds pretty specific. But Dutch startup OneThird thinks its avocado scanner could reduce food waste. The device is designed for supermarkets. OneThird already predicts the ripeness of food like tomatoes and strawberries and hopes to add more produce to its lineup.
RELAXING PILLOW
Yukai Engineering claims its robotic pillow can help users relax by mimicking the rhythm of human breathing. The cushion gently expands, contracts, and vibrates when held against the stomach. Yukai says its pulsing pillow helps would-be sleepers breathe more slowly and deeply as breathing syncs with the pillow’s movements.
SMELLY HEADSET
Vermont-based OVR Technology showcases an app-based headset containing a cartridge with eight primary aromas. The scent feature is linked to VR (virtual reality) goggles. It allows users to smell anything from roses to a roasted marshmallows. OVR aims to help consumers relax. The company markets the product as part-digital spa, part-Instagram.
COLOR-CHANGING CAR
German car manufacturer BMW reveals a car that allows drivers to customize its color digitally. The BMW i Vision Dee—Dee for “digital emotional experience”—can display up to 32 colors on its 240 sections. The car also has a voice assistant and components that let the grille and headlights generate facial expressions a la Lightning McQueen in Cars. But don’t look for these friendly faces yet. The car isn’t available until 2025.
Why? The Creator God made humans in His own image: That means creativity is part of our makeup! It’s great to celebrate the desire to innovate, improve, build, and help others.
