This weekend, I’m on my way to Las Vegas to cover this year’s Consumer Electronics Show. I’ve scoured the CES schedule and lists of exhibitors in preparation for the event, where I hope to find fascinating new tech. After all, some prep is required given the size of the show: CES span 12 venues and more than 2.5 million square feet of exhibit space—a good opportunity to test out devices that will be on display, like these shoe attachments that track muscle load for athletes (and journalists running between demos), or an exoskeleton to help out on hikes through the Mojave Desert.
Of course, AI will continue to show up in every device you might imagine it to, and many you wouldn’t. This year, there will be AI-enabled vehicle sensors and PCs, as well as spice dispensers, litter boxes, and trash cans. With AI systems for baby care and better aging, the applications practically range from cradle to grave.
I’m also looking forward to discovering technology that could change the way we interact with our devices, such as new displays in our personal vehicles and smart eyewear to compete with Ray-Ban Meta glasses.
Hidden among the big names showcasing their latest tech, startups and smaller companies will be exhibiting products that could become the next big thing, and the innovative engineering behind them. Here are a few of the gadgets and gizmos I’m planning to see in person this week.
Needle-Free Injections
Imagine a world in which you could get a flu shot—or any injection—without getting jabbed by a needle. That’s what Dutch company FlowBeams aims to create with its device, which injects a thin jet of liquid directly into the skin. With a radius of 25 micrometers, the jet measures about one-tenth the size of a 25-gauge needle often used for vaccines. Personally, I’ve dealt with my fair share of needles from living with type 1 diabetes for nearly two decades, so this definitely caught my eye. Delivering insulin is, in fact, one of the medical applications the FlowBeams team imagines the tech could eventually be used for. But healthcare isn’t the only potential use. It could also become a new, supposedly painless way to get cosmetic fillers or a tattoo.
Electric Skis to Help With Hills
Skiing may initially seem like the recreational activity least in need of a motorized boost—gravity is pretty reliable on its own. But if you, like me, actually prefer cross country skiing, it’s an intriguing idea. Now being brought to life by a Swiss startup, E-Skimo was created for ski mountaineering (A.K.A. “skimo”), a type of backcountry skiing that involves climbing up a mountain to then speed back down. The battery-powered, detachable device uses a belt of rubber tread to help skiers get to higher peaks in less time. Unfortunately, Vegas will be a bit too balmy for live demos.
A Fitbit for Fido—and for Bessie
Nearly any accessory you own today—watches, rings, jewelry, or glasses—can be replaced by a wearable tech alternative. But what about your dog? Now, we can extend our obsession with health metrics to our pets with the next generation of smart collars from companies like Queva, which is debuting a collar that grades your dog’s health on a 100-point scale. While activity-tracking collars have been on the market for several years, these and other devices, like smart pet flaps, are making our pets more high-tech than ever.
And the same is true for livestock: The first wearable device for tracking a cow’s vitals will also be at CES this year. While not exactly a consumer device, it’s a fascinating find nonetheless.
Real-Time Translation
Douglas Adams fans, rejoice: Inspired by the Babel fish from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Timekettle’s earbuds make (nearly) real-time translation possible. The company’s latest version operates with a new, proprietary operating system to offer two-way translation during phone or video calls on any platform. The US $449 open-ear buds translate between more than 40 languages and 93 accents, albeit with a 3 to 5 second delay.
“Hormometer” to Subdue Stress
Ironically, everybody seems stressed out about cortisol, the hormone that regulates your body’s stress response. To make hormone testing more accessible, Eli Health has created a device, dubbed the “Hormometer,” which detects either cortisol or progesterone levels from a quick saliva sample. After 20 minutes, the user scans the tester with a smartphone camera and gets results. At about $8 per test, each one is much less expensive than other at-home or lab tests. However, the company functions as a subscription service, starting at about $65 per month with a 12-month commitment.
AR Binoculars to Seamlessly ID the Natural World
I have a confession to make: For someone who once considered a career in astronomy, I can identify embarrassingly few constellations. Alas, after Orion and the Big Dipper, I have trouble finding many of these patterns in the night sky. Stargazing apps help, but looking back and forth between a screen and the sky tends to ruin the moment. Unistellar’s Envision smart binoculars, however, use augmented reality to map the stars, tag comets, and label nebulae directly in your line of sight. During the day, they can identify hiking trails or tell you the altitude of a summit on the horizon. When it comes to identifying the best technology on the horizon, though, leave that job to IEEE Spectrum.
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