Wildest gadgets beckon at this year’s expo
LAS VEGAS: Are you ready to talk to your toilet? Or cuddle with a robot?
Those are just a few of the ideas we’ve seen at CES 2018, the annual consumer technology confab here at the Las Vegas Convention Centre and other venues. Sure, there are tech titans here battling to control our computers, TVs and smart homes. But our favourite part is the thousands of other companies that gather to launch something new.
While these ideas sometimes catch on, like fitness trackers and wireless ear buds, many go nowhere. But the eager attempts are always interesting and often say something about where we’re headed in our relationships with technology. Here are the most out-there ideas that caught our attention. • Somnox, a robot you can • cuddle with
This bot just wants to cuddle. Somnox is a bed companion that simulates human breathing. When you hug the robot, the rising and falling sensation subconsciously calms you down and helps you get to sleep faster, say its makers. Somnox can also make the soothing sounds of heartbeats, lullabies and guided meditation, which you activate from an app. Best part: It doesn’t ever snore. • Modius, a headband to help • you lose weight
Pack on a few pounds during this cold snap? Modius has built a headset that stimulates your vestibular nerve, which runs behind your ear and into your brain. You use Modius by attaching a pad to your skin, which has a wire that runs up to the headband. The electric current, Modius says, stimulates the part of the brain that controls your appetite. It’s meant to be an extra boost to supplement your weight-loss plan. Brain-zapping technology is still somewhat unproven, but several companies claim it can help everything from concentration to pain relief. • Foldimate and Laundroid, • robots that fold your laundry
These competing robots tackle one of the week’s most arduous chores. Foldimate’s promises to fold a load of laundry in four minutes, but asks you to feed each piece in, individually. The much pricier Laundroid folds from a drawer of clothes, but takes much longer. Sadly, neither can tackle socks or sheets yet. Those still must be done by hand. US$16,000 (RM64,000) for Laundroid, US$980 (RM3,920) for Foldimate • Kingston Nucleum, a seven-in• one hub for MacBooks
Okay, this one is just wildly practical. Remember when the MacBook Pro was useful for actual professionals? That was before Apple took away useful inputs and replaced them with USB TypeC ports requiring adapters and dongles. Plug a Nucleum hub into a MacBook and those useful ports return. You get back two traditional large USB ports, HDMI for an external monitor, an SD card slot, a microSD card slot – and still two USB Type-C ports. It even has passthrough power, so you can charge your phone or laptop. • Dell XPS 13, a woven-glass • laptop
Dell’s 2018 refresh of its popular XPS 13 line uses an extra-hardy white glass fibre weave finish that resists the most devilish stains and yellowing over time. We attacked one with a black Sharpie permanent marker, and it eventually came out (with a bit of elbow grease). At a time when lots of other companies are making cloth-covered gadgets, Dell gets a high-five for recognising that road warriors really want a laptop that stands up to abuse. • Xeros, a washing machine that • could really slash your water • bill
Running a laundry load uses a lot of water – while also subjecting your clothes to some serious rough-housing. Xeros fills washing machines with nylon balls about the size of green peas that help massage away dirt and absorb loose dye using half as much water. It also jostles your clothes less, leading to energy savings and clothes that last longer. The tech is already used in some commercial washers and is trying to work its way into home models. • INVI, a bracelet to fight assault
INVI’s stylish bracelet is actually a deterrent against sexual assault. Like a skunk, INVI’s bracelet releases a foul odour to repel attackers, in this case when you break its clasp. It’s not clear how much of a deterrent a bad smell would be, but we commend the idea to develop tech to help discourage attackers. • ElliQ, a social robot for seniors
Isolation is a significant problem for some older adults. ElliQ is a tabletop robot with a swivelling head that connects seniors to friends for messages and video chats and makes it a bit easier for them to take advantage of online information and services. It suggests physical activities, such as taking medicine or going for a walk, and also makes personalised recommendations for news, music or games. — Washington Post
Running a laundry load uses a lot of water – while also subjecting your clothes to some serious rough-housing. Xeros fills washing machines with nylon balls about the size of green peas that help massage away dirt and absorb loose dye using half as much water.