2024-01-12 20:05:05
Whether they dream of making a car take off, of competing with drones or even of sparing themselves the unappetizing “gifts” from their cat, the entrepreneurs of CES in Las Vegas – the largest technology and technology show electronics – do not lack imagination to create futuristic products.
1. Relax, the robot takes care of everything
It’s the perfect booth to relieve tension at CES, the consumer electronics show in Las Vegas, which ends Friday.
Among thousands of futuristic novelties, a few volunteers lie down to enjoy a slightly special massage. A French start-up is testing its robotic arm, capable of analyzing a patient’s morphology to better target the areas to be massaged.
“70% of people have back pain and 60% are in chronic stress, it’s major, it’s massive,” argues François Eyssautier, president of Capsix Robotics.
As hardworking as it is, the robot cannot, however, “replace hand massages,” admitted Jonathan Grassi, world massage champion and consultant for the French start-up. “But he is very precise, very meticulous (…) and does not shy away from repetitive gestures.”
The automated arm is already used in spas and gyms in France, and in the United States in Boulder (Colorado) by Jonathan Grassi, in his establishment.
2. Smart cat flap
With the Flappie access hatch, artificial intelligence ensures that cats cannot bring unwanted “gifts” – birds and rodents in general – back to their owner. Using cameras, the system blocks access if the feline’s mouth is not empty.
AI also detects snakes and fish, with an efficiency greater than 90%, assures the start-up founded by Swiss twins, Oliver and Denis Widler.
The device can be connected to an application so that the owner can follow the comings and goings of their animal, with supporting images. It is sold from 299 francs.
3. AI to sleep better
Technology has contributed to making us lose sleep, but can it give it back to us? “Here we have the world’s first artificial intelligence (AI) sleep and brainwave tracker,” says Kimi Doan, head of investments at Earable neuroscience.
She came to present at the Las Vegas tech show (CES) the “Brainband”, recently marketed for nearly $500. Designed in flexible and soft materials, it is worn on the head like a crown.
Its gold-plated sensors analyze brain activity in real time and its speakers play music, meditation aids or white noise, depending on the needs detected.
“If you wake up in the middle of the night, the AI will automatically find the appropriate audio content to help you get back to sleep,” says Kimi Doan.
4. The car of the future?
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer XPeng presented its version of the flying car at the big annual show. This futuristic model, available to the general public, can move on the ground as well as in the air, and take off vertically.
Called Land Aircraft Carrier, the model should be available for pre-order from the end of 2024, with delivery aiming for 2025.
5. Quidditch, but with drones
“Drone soccer” (football with drones), born in South Korea, is also in the spotlight this year.
The aim of the game: for three minutes, five red drones face five blue drones, all piloted with remote controls. The machines — protected in honeycomb balls 40 cm in diameter — take off, spin, collide, bounce on the sides. And like in football, the objective is to score a goal.
“The game was created by an engineer who was inspired by Harry Potter”, where wizards are passionate about Quidditch (a kind of flying football), explains Jasmine Lee, commentator of the match.
Since its creation in 2016, the discipline has conquered twenty countries, but South Korea remains by far the most fervent with more than 2000 teams. In the United States, there are only three but more than 5,000 young people have been trained.
A world championship is scheduled for May 2025 and the World Cup for the following October.
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