- CES 2024 in Las Vegas has already revealed some amazing new gadgets
- From flying cars to automated AI assistants, they reveal the future of technology
If you've ever watched a sci-fi movie from the 1980s, you know that predicting the future of technology is never an easy task.
But at CES 2024, some cool gadgets will give you a glimpse into your future life.
From transparent TVs and flying cars to gym leggings that fit you, this future looks more like science fiction than ever before.
With ChatGPT so prevalent in our lives last year, it's no surprise that CES saw more than its fair share of nifty AI hardware.
So, whether you're looking for a robot butler or an AI-powered personal trainer, there may be a tool coming soon that has just what you need.
Transparent TVs
One of the most exciting developments at CES 2024 is LG and Samsung announcing fully transparent TVs.
In what they claim could be the next big breakthrough in TVs, the South Korean electronics manufacturer unveiled its transparent wireless device on Monday.
At the conference held in Las Vegas, the company presented a 77-inch wireless screen.
Billed as “the world's first 4K transparent OLED TV,” the LG Signature OLED-T is designed to stand in the middle of the room and look like a transparent sheet of glass when not in use.
When it's turned on, viewers can either choose to keep it partially transparent or make it opaque.
“OLED T creates a sense of openness,” said LG's Frank Lee.
'The TV no longer has to dominate the room. This strengthens the relationship between the TV and the space it inhabits.'
Gym leggings that shock you
While most gadgets are meant to make your life more convenient, some of the technology showcased at CES 2024 seems to have the opposite goal.
While Barunbio Energywear workout clothes may look like ordinary sportswear, they are actually hiding an amazing piece of technology.
The WE-Stim (Wearable Electrical Stimulation) device provides low-energy electrical stimulation to your entire body during training.
However, no batteries are needed – the clothes use static electricity generated by your own movements for power.
“It enhances cell activation, signaling, metabolic activity, and blood flow, stimulating the movement of ions and molecules within cells,” the company explained.
Robotic servants
This year's CES saw the launch of not just one of several different robotic butlers.
Samsung and LG have both unveiled AI-powered robotic assistants that can feed your pets, schedule laundry, and remind you to take medication.
Samsung's offering is a new version of its Ballie robot, a round yellow robot that has AI-powered camera hardware and a projector.
According to Samsung, it can recognize your face and welcome you when you return home.
A promotional video shows how you can send a text message to the robot to tell it to check your dog.
It can also display video calls, workouts, or any other work or entertainment photos on the wall.
LG's rival robot was also launched this week, which the company calls a “smart home agent.”
This AI assistant looks like a small animal, has a digital face display and legs with wheels.
The robot is designed to follow you around the house and perform some information-based routines.
It won't be able to do laundry or do dishes, but LG says it will be able to learn your moods and habits.
This may include urging his owner with cheerful music if he feels sad.
Virtual laptop with 100 inch screen
While other companies focused on making their screens bigger and better, one company got rid of them completely.
Spacetop, made by startup Sightful, promises users a 100-inch screen without any of the hassle of physical hardware.
Through the use of augmented reality glasses, the laptop user can see a huge screen placed in front of him as if it were floating in the air.
But, at $2,150 (£1,690), the Spacetop has a lot going for it.
And while a laptop's screen may be innovative, the laptop itself may be hampered by sub-par hardware.
The system is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 chip, the same chip that Meta used in 2020 for the Quest 2.
It also only has 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, which is a far cry from what you can get from a regular laptop at a similar price.
An AI assistant in your pocket
The walkie-talkie-like gadget has already been hailed as the “iPhone of artificial intelligence.”
Rabbit r1 uses a built-in chatbot to carry out daily tasks for its owner.
Depending on the company, these tasks can be anything from a simple question to booking an entire vacation.
Unveiled at CES 2024 this week, the r1 signaled the start of the race to create a device that would do for artificial intelligence what the smartphone did for the Internet.
What's more, it costs just £159, a fraction of the price of competing devices including Humane's own AI pin, which recently went on sale for £550.
The idea behind this is to stop people from scrolling through hundreds of different apps on their smartphones – and instead provide one big big app.
The tool works by controlling all of the owner's online accounts, allowing AI to access their profiles on apps like Uber and Deliveroo.
However, US startup Rabbit said it will always ask for permission and clarification when performing any task, especially one that involves payment.
Scary robot friend
Rounding out this year's selection of AI assistants is WeHead's slightly strange human face.
The company, which is described as an “AI companion with a human face,” uses a specific combination of displays to create a convincing face that users can talk to.
At CES 2024, MailOnline spoke of using a WeHead programmed device to give the company a presentation, but the company says it can also be used for customer service.
However, MailOnline found that the AI was frequently interrupting the user and providing confusing answers.
Flying cars
Of course, no tour of future technology would be complete without at least one flying car.
CES 2024 saw the launch of several different flying vehicles but perhaps the most exciting is the new S-A2 from Hyundai-owned Supernal.
Once in service, the S-A2 will transport people around the city, avoiding traffic jams on the streets.
This vertical take-off and landing electric vehicle is seeking approval in 2026 to be one of the first flying taxis in the United States.
The car seats five people – a pilot and four passengers – and derives its power from eight electric rotors.
During flight, all eight rotors rotate to face forward and allow the vehicle to fly like an airplane.
Neil Marshall, head of manufacturing strategy at Supernal, told MailOnline: 'Our aim is to get to a cost point where it is affordable and the masses can use it.
“This is not intended to be targeted solely at high net worth individuals or executive use.”
