Hands down, the Bell Nexus urban air taxi was the coolest item at CES 2019. It drew crowds throughout the week, with everyone anticipating a time when they can ride in this autonomous vehicle. The air taxi is scheduled to be ready for public use in 2025.
The WELT wellness belt is one of those CES products that appears in a slightly refined version seemingly every year. It may look like an ordinary belt, but it's actually hiding smart features. It uses Bluetooth technology to automatically sync to the companion app on the user's smartphone, can last for 30+ days on a single charge, and offers comprehensive health insights, which include monitoring eating habits, waist circumference, and body state, and tracking the user's steps vs. sitting time.
The Hupnos Sleep Mask covers nearly your whole face. But it claims to stop snoring. It tracks sleep and snoring patterns through the companion iPhone app. When the mask detects snoring, it will gently vibrate to alert the sleeper to change positions, or apply light pressure as needed to open airways. No more need to kick your spouse to stop their snoring.
For the face mask obsessed, Neutrogena is taking its Skin360 SkinScanner technology--the iPhone camera attachment that debuted at CES 2018--one step further. Now, the skincare company is offering 3D-printed, customized facial masks based on the information obtained from the app, which even takes facial shape and eye placement into consideration.
How about a smart diaper sensor from Monit that will let you know when your baby has dirtied a diaper? Yes, chalk it up as another piece of tech that's probably not necessary.
The FoldiMate laundry-folding bot can fold a load of 25 items in under five minutes. It's been around at CES in various forms and prototypes since 2017, and now there's a working model. It sounds nice, but with a price tag of around $1,000 when it finally hits the market later this year, it's still cheaper to hire a housekeeper.
This is one of the cooler items at CES 2019. Volta's Mookkie is an AI-powered pet feeder that has facial recognition for your pets. It knows when your fat cat shows up versus your new kitten, and only opens when the right feline tries to eat.
Definitely one for the weird but cool category. At the Nissan booth at CES 2019, you could get a special freshly-brewed macchiato etched with your own image, powered by an all-electric Nissan LEAF.
The Lume Cube is bright. If you want to startle your photo subjects with a bright light on your phone or tablet, then this is the product for you. Lume sells portable lights for photo and video devices. For specifics, go to the Lume Cube site.
There's something about SheerTex's unbreakable pantyhose that makes you want to try to rip it. Good luck. You can't. It's made from the same stuff as bullet proof vests.
Sphero rolled out the multi-colored carpet to debut its Specdrums ring--a Bluetooth, motion-enabled, musical ring. The ring works when tapped against a color, which is sent to the paired smartphone app, and then translated into a sound. With its new Specdrums Mix app, there are more sound and color combinations available.
Doesn't everyone need a robotic suitcase? The Ovis is a smart carry-on that, thanks to complex algorithms, moves by your side autonomously. The algorithm that makes Ovis avoid obstacles is based on self-driving technology.
The beauty obsessed won't consider this wacky. L'Oréal La Roche-Posay's My Skin Track pH is a wearable sensor that measures skin pH levels, perspiration rate, and skin health and then sends the information to the companion app, which helps the user create a customized skin care routine.
If you want your mirror to judge you, then you'll be pleased to know that HiMirror launched two new products at CES 2019: The HiMirror Mini and the HiMirror Enterprise. The Mini version assesses the user's skin condition and uses smart technology, local weather conditions, etc., to offer an effective skin care regimen.
The Glow Charge is a wireless charger that glows in multiple colors and features various light modes and a super bass button. Because doesn't everyone need a charger that glows?
Robotic vaccums are such the norm they're hardly wacky anymore, but Ecovacs AI floor cleaning robot does incorporate artificial intelligence for an added "do you really need it" vibe.
The Dream Box is a recovery cocoon that immerses the occupant with chromotherapy and sophrology for 15 to 30 minutes. It targets an unusual trio in its advertising: collaborators, athletes and medical professionals.
Sleep tech was everywhere at CES, and Philips SmartSleep deep sleep headband was one of the options. Wear it to bed, and it claims to improve the quality of your deep sleep. That sounds great, but we can't get over how dorky it looks.
This definitely fits in the cool category. It's Procter & Gamble's innovative dispenser for feminine products from its Whisper, Always and Tampax brands and it accepts contactless payment so women can eliminate rooting in their purses for spare change.
The BionicGym bills itself as a wearable exercise device that wraps around your core and triggers shivering so that you can burn calories while watching TV.
The $2,000 Scoocase is an electric suitcase that converts to a scooter. Enough said.
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Hands down, the Bell Nexus urban air taxi was the coolest item at CES 2019. It drew crowds throughout the week, with everyone anticipating a time when they can ride in this autonomous vehicle. The air taxi is scheduled to be ready for public use in 2025.
Teena Maddox is a Senior Writer at TechRepublic, covering hardware devices, IoT, smart cities and wearables. She ties together the style and substance of tech. Teena has spent 20-plus years writing business and features for publications including Peo...
Teena Maddox is a Senior Writer at TechRepublic, covering hardware devices, IoT, smart cities and wearables. She ties together the style and substance of tech. Teena has spent 20-plus years writing business and features for publications including People, W and Women's Wear Daily.