Unleashing the Bizarre: Most Unusual Gadgets Spotted at CES 2025
Every year at CES, there are gadgets that capture everyone's attention. Sometimes, it's due to groundbreaking innovation and design, worth of our 'Best of CES Awards' recognition. Other times, it's because of their strange and quirky nature, leaving an unforgettable impression. Dive into this roundup of oddball and intriguing devices from CES 2025!
Embark on an Epic Dungeons & Dragons Adventure with Worf's Pinball
© Kyle Barr
Pinball and Dungeons & Dragons are a perfect fit. Stern embraced this, crafting a pinball machine brimming with a D&D adventure. Players choose a character from pre-built classes and species, aiming to level up by overcoming challenges. To add a dash of lunacy, Michael Dorn, famous for his role as Worf in Star Trek: The Next Generation, serves as the dungeon master. The base model costs $7,000, while the premium edition goes for $13,000.
Meet the Adorable Robot that Chills Your Drink
© Jorge Jimenez
The Nékojita FuFu offers a unique solution to overheated drinks. This charming little robot uses a Fu-ing algorithm to cool down your beverage, lowering temperatures by up to 30ºF in just five minutes. The FuFu isn't just for cups; you can even mount it on flat plates to cool soup!
TCL AIme Sets Out on a Journey with Multiple AI Modules
© TCL
Imagine a personal robot in the form of an adorable alien baby carriage, introducing different AI applications like speech and image recognition. TCL's AIme has three modules, with the last being detachable for mobile use, such as checking your calendar, weather forecasts, or smartphone tasks. Despite its odd pitch and appearance, its charm is undeniable.
Anker's Solar Cape Sheds Light on Fashion and Function
©Kyle Barr
Anker dabbled in solar power-collecting hats, but they took things to the next level with their Solix solar cape. The head-turning, neon-light adorned garment could power your phone during daily activities, such as beach trips or nights out clubbing. A definite conversation starter!
Kirin Introduces the Future of Salt Intake with the Electric Salt Spoon
Our taste buds are in for a shock with Kirin's electric salt spoon. The device stimulates your saliva's naturally occurring sodium by sending a gentle electric current. This could be a game-changer for individuals on low-sodium diets, introducing a fun twist to healthy eating.
Bring Famous Anime Characters to Your Private Dance Floor
Alienware's Alienware Area-51 Desktop: Comically Large and Powerful
© Adriano Contreras
Graphics cards are becoming increasingly significant, urging cases to follow suit. Alienware's monstrous Area-51 full-sized tower is no exception. The tower features a sliding rail that accommodates any-sized graphics card. It also boasts a "positive pressure" design, promising fewer fans and improved air circulation.
Lenovo's Rollable ThinkBook Plus Gen 6: More Inches, More Money
© Kyle Barr
Lenovo showcased a lineup of oddball devices at CES, but the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable deserves special mention. It boasts a 14-inch screen that rolls out to 16.5 inches, with a seamless transition. Despite its unique features, its hefty $3,500 price tag questions its affordability versus traditional 14-inch laptops available at more reasonable prices.
Introducing Motorbunny's Playmate Haptic Relay Plug-in
© Sherri L Smith
Motorbunny's PlayMate Haptic Relay Plug-in aims to elevate gaming experiences. This USB-C dongle allows PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, and Nintendo Switch users to connect their Motorbunny devices, transferring haptic feedback and accelerometer data.
The Split-Key AutoKeybo: A Creative Solution to Productivity and Accessibility
The AutoKeybo split keyboard sets itself apart with its unique design. It effortlessly transforms between a keyboard and a touchpad, enabling users to opt for the touchpad when their posture needs improvement. The device incorporates AI Machine Vision to track usage and adjust accordingly, catering to the needs of productivity hounds and individuals with upper limb disabilities.
Shiftall's HaritoraX 1.1B: The Future of Full-Body VR in Sassy Form
Shiftall's HaritoraX 1.1B demonstrates the potential of full-body VR experience with its wireless body tracking hardware. Users' bodies control their digital avatars directly, making their ideal VR chat partners.
Meet The Handy: A Robot Vacuum with a Unique Capability
The Roborock Saros Z70 delivers exceptional cleaning performance with its OmniGrip mechanical arm. This arm lifts objects up to 300g, placing them in a bin to ensure a tidier home. Although the Z70 struggled during our demonstration to pick up socks, it shows promise in helping clean up messes, halting future roommate arguments.
Reporting by Kyle Barr, Florence Ion, Jorge Jimenez, Rose Pastore, and Sherri L. Smith
Enrichment Data:
CES 2025 was filled with innovative and sometimes bizarre technology. Here are some notable products:
- NVIDIA Project DIGITS: Personal AI Supercomputer, leveraging CUDA and TensorRT, bringing AI capabilities to developers[1][4].
- Eclipsa Audio: Open-source 3D audio technology, collaborated between Google, Samsung, Arm, and the Alliance for Open Media, enhancing audio experiences through immersive capabilities[1].
- AiLens AR Smart Glasses: Lightweight AR smart glasses, powered by Ambiq's Apollo4 SoC and boosted by AI capabilities[1].
- XREAL One Series AR Smart Glasses: AR wearables equipped with Arm Cortex-A CPU, offering better display capabilities and a more immersive experience[1].
- Mediatek's Arm-based Kompanio 838: Processor designed for Chromebook devices, boosting camera capabilities and enabling "text-to-image" translation for educational use cases[1].
- ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable: Roll-out 2-in-1 laptop with a 25.6-inch display, allowing users to extend their screen easily while providing a seamless transition[3][5].
- Nékojita FuFu: A robot that can blow air to cool down beverages, optimized by a Fu-ing algorithm for human-like intervals, ideal for espresso and soup[3].
- Spicerr AI-Powered Spice Dispenser: An AI-driven spice dispenser that uses precision to dispense the perfect amount of spice for various recipes[3].
- Birdfy Smart Birdbath: An AI-enabled birdbath that can identify birds, offering a monthly subscription service to access bird species information[3].
- Meticulous Smart Espresso Machine: Espresso machine with robotics, 10 digital sensors, and barista-like precision to ensure optimal brewing and consistency[3].
These products highlighted the variety and innovation presented at CES 2025, showcasing strange yet captivating ideas for the future.
The Stern pinball machine, apart from its captivating design, uses technology to take Dungeons & Dragons to a new level, allowing players to experience a D&D adventure while choosing from pre-built classes and species. This future tech device is a testament to the fusion of games and technology in the 'future of play'.
In an attempt to address the issue of overheated drinks, the Nékojita FuFu robot uses Fu-ing algorithm to cool down beverages effectively, demonstrating the potential of technology to solve everyday problems in an innovative way. This adorable robot is a prime example of the fusion of technology and daily life, leading us towards a 'tech-fueled future'.
