The weirdest tech at CES 2025

CES is residence to a few of the coolest, cutting-edge, and most modern expertise round. However inside this sea of tech are at all times some fairly unusual devices. This yr’s convention was no totally different, filled with an entire bunch of wacky gadgets, a few of which could have an opportunity of taking off, and others… perhaps not a lot.

Right here’s a roundup of all of the bizarre tech we noticed on the CES present flooring and past.

1. Mirumi, the shy sloth-like robot

Mirumi is a furry little robotic that latches onto your purse or backpack strap. It turns its head to look curiously across the room utilizing built-in sensors. However very like an toddler, Mirumi is designed to be a bit shy, so it’d bury its face if it’s touched or approached by strangers. The corporate behind Mirumi, Yukai Engineering, plans to launch the bot via a crowdfunding marketing campaign this yr with an anticipated value of $70.

2. A phone battery charger that resembles a toaster

No, my colleague Allison Johnson isn’t sticking her telephone in a toaster — that white field is definitely a charging hub made by Swippitt. It’s designed to energy up a collection of exterior batteries that go into Swippitt’s Hyperlink telephone case, giving your gadget slightly additional cost. When your battery is on the verge of dying, insert your telephone into the hub, and it’ll robotically swap out the exterior battery for one which’s absolutely charged, no cords or wi-fi charging stations wanted.

3. This retractable keyboard

I by no means even thought I wanted a keyboard that retracts to disclose a trackpad and quantity pad, and after seeing my colleague Sean Hollister use it… I nonetheless don’t suppose I would like it. The AutoKeybo makes use of a built-in digicam to detect the place of your fingers and can robotically swap between setups if you increase them barely. It’s supposed that will help you “increase productiveness” by saving you from shifting your fingers between your mouse and keyboard, and it comes with a fairly hefty $700 price ticket.

4. An even more portable LG StanbyME display

LG is again with a second model of its portable StanbyME monitor. However this time, you’ll be able to add a shoulder strap to the 27-inch monitor, letting you haul it round whereas on the go (or hold it up in a room). There’s even a brand new folio case that makes it seem like an absurdly giant pill. Other than the brand new equipment, the StanbyME comes with different upgrades over its predecessor, together with a better 1440p decision, an extended four-hour battery life, and two USB-C ports.

5. SwitchBot’s modular, multitasking robot

SwitchBot made a modular robotic able to finishing many several types of chores. Constructed on a model of SwitchBot’s mini robotic vacuum, the Multitasking Family Robotic K20 Plus Professional comes with a wheeled “FusionPlatform” that you would be able to equip with numerous gadgets, like the corporate’s air air purifier, fan, safety digicam, and extra, permitting it to roll round your own home whereas finishing every kind of duties. Will probably be capable of do much more sooner or later with the in-development robotic arms you’ll be able to see within the video above.

6. An 18-karat gold smart ring

Overlook your conventional engagement ring. What about presenting your accomplice with an 18-karat gold sensible ring? Properly, Ultrahuman made simply that, with its “artisanal” Uncommon ring, costing $1,900 in gold (or $2,200 in platinum). Other than full entry to all of Ultrahuman’s options and lifelong membership to its guarantee program, this gadget has the identical specs because the far cheaper $349 Ultrahuman Ring Air — simply in a much more costly package deal.

7. LG’s air purifier your cat can sit on

The LG AeroCatTower is precisely what it feels like: an air air purifier that doubles as a cat tree. Along with offering a heated spot on your feline good friend, it filters out pet dander and even weighs your cat, too. The AeroCatTower connects to the LG ThinQ app, the place you’ll be able to see details about your cat’s weight and monitor how lengthy your cat was asleep.

8. The “world’s first wearable solar panel”

This jacket from Anker continues to be only a idea for now, but it surely provides off actual Cyberpunk 2077 vibes with its LED gentle strips and perovskite photo voltaic cells wrapped across the outdoors of the cloak. It presents a 30W most enter, together with a USB-C output you need to use to cost your telephone.

9. LG’s indoor gardening side table

Like LG’s AeroCatTower, the corporate’s newest tackle indoor gardening combines a number of capabilities in a single package deal. The gadget seems much like your typical facet desk, but it surely includes a lamp you’ll be able to develop vegetation beneath. It additionally robotically waters your vegetation utilizing its built-in tank and has a built-in speaker. LG made a taller, lamp-style garden as properly.

10. Encapsulated anime girls that talk to you

That is precisely what it seems like: a pod containing 3D fashions of dancing anime ladies. But it surely doesn’t have to deal with anime ladies; you’ll be able to add any character to Character Livehouse’s 1200p show, and it’ll use AI to work together with you. The capsule comes geared up with cameras and microphones with sound recognition, permitting the character to detect your presence. Code 27, the corporate behind Character Livehouse, says the mannequin can cheer you on in video games and even “gently” wake you up. It’s headed to Kickstarter quickly with a value vary of $400 to $500.