The Most Fascinating Tech from #CES2021

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CES2021, this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, happened last week but this year’s show was virtual due to the pandemic. Instead of tech companies displaying their latest and greatest innovations in Las Vegas, Nevada, they released video demonstrations of their new gadgets.

No pressure that their tech wouldn’t operate as planned during live demos. Instead, the tech was displayed in pre-recorded videos to show what the future may hold.

As with previous CES events, this year’s products may or may not become a reality. Some tech introduced during the show is merely a concept that may never become a consumer product.

But some tech will come to market and may dramatically change our daily lives…

Samsung Bot Handy Robot

If you’ve been craving a household robot since you saw Rosie on The Jetsons, then you’ll enjoy Bot Handy. This robot from Samsung is designed to help with household chores. Bot Handy uses advanced AI (artificial intelligence) to pick up and move objects around the home.

Currently in development, Bot Handy will be able to help with tasks such as setting the table, loading the dishwasher, tidying up, pouring a glass of wine, and helping with laundry. Bot Handy will be able to figure out what it is picking up and adjust its grasp accordingly.

This video shows Bot Handy in action:

https://youtu.be/m-3c9Pt3_J0

Samsung has not yet announced the price or launch date of Bot Handy.

Cadillac Air Taxi

Cadillac revealed an impressive new technology that could result in personal autonomous air travel. With its vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, this battery-powered aircraft can land on and take off from rooftops to make traffic jams a distant memory.

This flying car is powered by a 90w rechargeable battery and moves at speeds up to 56 mph/90 kmh. Using eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) technology, this vehicle uses a coaxial octo-rotor propulsion system and will have single or multi-passenger options.

This year at #CES2021 @GM surprises everyone with a Cadillac air taxi.

In other words. Yes. That’s a flying car. pic.twitter.com/QPH5zZ5eOM

— CNET (@CNET) January 12, 2021

Although no date or price was provided by Cadillac, the company says its eVTOL vehicles are “coming soon.”

Razer Smart Mask

Tech company Razer has responded to the pandemic by developing a smart mask that solves many of the problems the world has faced masking up this past year. Razer’s Project Hazel has invented a smart mask with a surgical-grade N95 respirator that filters up to 95% of airborne particles.

This smart mask has a transparent mouth section so people can see you speaking, smiling, and expressing yourself. To enhance communications, the smart mask comes with a speaker, amplifier, and microphone that project your voice beyond the mask.

In the dark, the mask shines a light on your mouth to help people see you speaking. A different light indicates the battery level so you know when the mask needs to be charged.

Speaking of charging, the mask comes with a case that’s a wireless charger. The case also sanitizes the mask with a UV light.

This video from Razer explains more about its Project Hazel smart mask:

https://youtu.be/FvWiCclESL8

Razer has not indicated a price or a release date for its Project Hazel smart mask.

Tata Anti-Abandonment Baby Pillow

Italian company Tata is tackling the tragedy of children being accidentally left in hot cars by distracted and exhausted parents. Their anti-abandonment baby pillow detects when a child is sitting on a car seat and connects to the Tata phone app, with three alert levels to protect a child from being left behind.

If the phone moves away from the vehicle while the child is in the car seat, the app sounds an alarm even if the phone is in silent mode. Tata will call the phone if the alarm is not disabled.

If no one answers the phone, Tata will call the emergency contacts the user has designated. Tata can send the GPS location of the car to the emergency contacts if the user has chosen that option.

The Tata anti-abandonment baby pillow is currently available in Europe for €60 and should arrive in the fall of 2021 in the U.S. Find out more about this baby pillow at the Tata website.

Nobi Smart Lamp

A Belgian company called Nobi is addressing the issue of fall detection with its new smart lamp. The Nobi smart lamp can detect when someone has fallen and ask if they fell. If the lamp hears a response other than “No” or doesn’t hear a response, it places a call to the designated emergency contact.

The emergency contact will be able to use the Nobi app to see an abstract drawing of the person’s position in the room and talk to the person through the lamp. If the emergency contact can’t be reached, the Nobi smart lamp can call emergency services and unlock the door (if the door has a compatible smart lock).

This video shows how the Nobi smart lamp works:

https://youtu.be/_lapF6eiWzo

The smart lamp can also help prevent a fall by turning on its light when it detects someone getting out of bed.

Nobi estimates that the smart lamp will be available for purchase at the end of 2021. You can find out more at the Nobi lamp website.

Cold Snap Automatic Ice Cream Dispenser

If you enjoy ice cream, you’ll probably be excited about ColdSnap, an automatic soft ice cream dispenser that may become the new must-have kitchen gadget. ColdSnap is similar to a Keurig coffee maker in that it uses pods to quickly dispense a treat. But unlike Keurig pods, ColdSnap pods are made from aluminum and are recyclable.

With ColdSnap, you can make soft ice cream, yogurt, iced coffee, smoothies, protein shakes and frozen cocktails. No freezing or plumbing is required. Just drop in a pod and ColdSnap will deliver the frozen concoction in under two minutes.

This video shows how ColdSnap works:

ColdSnap is in the prototype phase and is estimated to launch in 2022 for home use at about $500. You can sign up to get notifications at the ColdSnap website.

Samsung Bespoke Refrigerator

Some day we may tell our grandchildren how we used to buy a new refrigerator by going to the store and picking out one that was on display.

Samsung wants to change how we buy refrigerators with its Bespoke Refrigerator. In the future, you may be able to order a custom-made refrigerator just the way you want it. You’ll be able to select from seven different colored panels so you can mix-and-match how your refrigerator and freezer doors look. Tired of the colors? Pop in new panels for an updated look.

You can also mix and match the placement of refrigerator and freezer sections, as well as how many of each you have. Choose from side-by-side, fridge on top freezer on the bottom, freezer on the top and fridge on the bottom, or three refrigerator sections and one freezer section.

This video shows the different possible combinations for the Samsung Bespoke Refrigerator:

The fridge comes with a handy water dispenser inside one of the door panels that delivers cold water by the glass or pitcher. The automatic ice maker makes ice in cubes or small nuggets called “Ice Bites.”

Samsung has not announced when the Bespoke Refrigerator will be available for order, nor the price of the fridge when it arrives. You can sign up for the mailing list to be notified of its arrival at the Samsung Bespoke website.

Your Thoughts

Which of these new gadgets introduced at CES2021 is most exciting to you? Do you wish you could have any of these new gadgets? Which one(s) would have the biggest impact on your daily life?

Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!