by LAS VEGAS (AP) — Tech companies of all sizes showcase their latest products at CES, formerly known as the Consumer Electronics trade show.
The show is returning to normal after going fully virtual in 2021 and seeing a significant drop in attendance in 2022 due to the pandemic.
Attendees range from big names like Sony and LG to small startups. You might see the next big thing or something that will never make it past the prototype stage.
Tuesday night the show kicked off with media previews of just some of the 3,000 companies that signed up to attend. CES officially opens on Thursday.
Here are some key points:
POKEMON, BUT MAKE A BIRD
Bird Buddy showed off a clever bird feeder that takes snapshots of feathered friends as they fly in to eat some treats. The startup says its AI technology can recognize over 1,000 bird species, allowing users to share what types of birds they’re feeding via a mobile app.
“We’re trying to gamify the collection in a way so it’s a really fun game you can play – almost like a real-life Pokémon Go with real animals and wildlife in your backyard,” said Kyle Buzzard, the company’s co-founder and chief hardware officer. .
The product has already aroused interest from consumers who want to show the world which birds come to their backyard.
The company, which started as a Kickstarter project in 2020, says it started shipping the bird feeders in September and has already sold all 100,000 in its inventory. The basic feeder costs $199.
ELECTRIC Skates
Journalists had fun sprinting around the showroom on remote-controlled, electric inline skates from French startup AtmosGear.
Founder Mohamed Soliman, who says the battery lasts 20 miles (32 kilometers), hopes people will see them as a viable way to commute, like electric bikes or scooters.
“My goal is for everyone to go skating again because it’s so fun, every time you see people skating you see them with a big smile,” Soliman said.
A waist bag holds the battery and cables attached to the skates. They can also be used as regular skates when they need to be recharged or when skaters just want to travel on their own power.
The $500 skates are available for pre-order. The company, which has received 150 pairs of orders so far, aims to receive 200 orders to start production.
DIGITAL TEMPORARY TATTOOS
A handheld device showcased by South Korean company Prinker allows you to apply temporary tattoos quickly and easily.
The device uses cosmetic grade ink with a library of thousands of designs or the option to design your own with the company’s app. After selecting a tattoo, simply shake the device where you want it applied. Tattoos are waterproof but wash with soap.
The flagship model is $279 and a smaller model is $229. Ink cartridges suitable for 1,000 tattoos are $119.
HELP FIND YOUR WAY
Japan-based Loovic has created a device designed to solve the difficulties experienced by those who have trouble finding their way while walking.
The neck-worn device uses sounds and vibrations to guide users to their destination, allowing them to look around instead of focusing on a phone’s map app.
Loovic co-founder and CEO Toru Yamanaka said he was inspired to create the device for his son, who has a cognitive disorder that makes it difficult for him to navigate.
The prototype device is not yet available to the public.
A FORM TRACKER FOR YOUR DOG
If you’re wondering what your dog is doing while you’re away, French startup Invoxia has a product for you. The company’s smart dog collar tracks your pet’s activities and sleep, sending data to your phone.
The latest version announced at CES with GPS tracker includes more advanced heart health monitoring.
The collar costs $149 in the US, while a $8.25 monthly subscription to the app monitors the data and shares it with your vet.
METAVERSE FOR CHILDREN
The creators of Roybi, an educational AI robot that helps kids learn about STEM topics and new languages, enter the meta universe.
RoybiVerse is expected to provide K-12 and higher education students with stations where they can learn about a wide variety of educational topics.
Users browsing RoybiVerse will be able to visit an area where they can learn about dinosaurs or walk to the virtual library where they can choose a book and read.
Expected to launch in mid-2023, RoybiVerse will be available on virtual reality headsets and on a website. No need for a robot.
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For more information on CES, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/consumer-electronics-show
