CES is the world’s largest global technology fair and also the place where the most unusual technological innovations are revealed. Despite the issues with Covid, CES 2022 was no different, and with Day One behind us now, here are some of the craziest tech we’ve seen at the event this year.
BMW iX Flow – Color Changing Car
The color changing car was something that was inspired by a spy movie until last year. However, BMW’s new iX Flow does just that. The car is able to completely change its color from black to white and vice versa thanks to the so-called shade-changing ink. Check it out below.
BMW has a color changing car in Las Vegas now! # CES2022 pic.twitter.com/vgKMDiRedE
– kilowatts (klwtts) January 5 2022
Shifting is controlled with the push of a button and the benefits are largely aesthetic, but so is the fact that you can now keep your car cool on a summer’s day by switching to a lighter shade. This vehicle is still a concept, and the technology may take a long time before getting to your local dealer.
Imuzak 3D Steering Wheel Screen – 3D holograms on the dashboard
Imagine the 3D holograms inside the Iron Man helmet from the Marvel movies, but on the dashboard of your car! The Imuzak 3-D Steering-Wheel Display is a display system that allows drivers to see all kinds of 3D popups on their dashboard for nearby ATMs, restrooms and more.
Imuzak 3D steering screen can change your driving experience. (Image source: Imuzak)
The technology works with the help of a 2.8-inch screen in the steering wheel with a small lens on top that allows you to “touch” these 3D notifications to interact with them.
Mind Controlled Intelligent Audio – Control music playback with your mind
The constant extinction of wires has made portable audio extremely convenient over the past couple of years with wireless earbuds and headphones. However, the interaction part for volume control and playback is still a pain, especially if your hands are occupied and you need to pause a song or answer a call. Wisear aims to change that with its new neural interface technology that allows users to use their brains to change songs and perform other actions.
The mind control technology for playing music could eventually be adopted by other brands. (Image source: Wisear)
The technology works using tiny electrodes that record brain and facial activity along with artificial intelligence (AI) to convert signals into controls. The company aims to bring the technology to other brands that make headphones, but the possibilities here could also extend to devices like VR headsets that can become more immersive by skipping some of the controls.
Noveto N1 – headphones, but they are invisible
The second audio-related technique on our list is pretty much a magic trick. The Noveto N1 headphones don’t rest on your head but flat on your desk like a small speaker. The device then emits the sound directly to your ears without any wires or other materials in between.
The technology works by sending ultrasound waves toward your ears that will be audible enough to you but as loud as a whisper to others. The product will be able to pair with your phone or any Bluetooth enabled device and will support calls as well. It is expected to be launched later this year.
Fluigent OMI – Mini Lab You Can Carry With You
Fluigent OMI is an automated human organ modeling platform that “mimes biology through an organ on a chip to predict human response”, allowing drugs to be tested in a 15 x 8 cm box rather than in animals or humans. A step forward in microfluidics, the technology can recreate living conditions and perform DNA or pathogen testing while reducing overall duration and costs, the company claims.
Fluigent OMI is a portable, battery-powered intelligent laboratory. (Image source: Flugent)
Fluigent OMI connects to WiFi and iOS/Android devices, runs on battery and fits any microscope. It can also automatically store data on the cloud and support remote control for experiments.
John Deere Tractor, Hyundai Heavy Boat – Autonomous vehicles on the farm, at sea
Self-driving vehicles were one of the areas where we expected new innovations at CES 2022. The John Deere autonomous tractor is one of the two autonomous vehicles we spotted. The John Deere 8R tractor is now getting cameras, another technology that allows it to navigate around a field on its own while farmers can control itself via a smartphone app.
New autonomous cars now off the road could mean fewer human accidents. (Image source: John Deere, Hyundai Heavy)
Hyundai Heavy Industries Autonomous Luxury Boat is a small autonomous boat that can avoid obstacles in the sea and even dock automatically to reduce the risk of accidents. The company also plans to test the technology with a large vessel later this year.
Samsung Power Collector Remote Control – No More Batteries Needed
Samsung has created a remote control that does not require replaceable batteries. No more running to the store at eleven looking for new batteries before the game or movie you’ve been waiting for. No, it is not solar powered; Samsung already has it before.
Samsung’s new remote will make battery replacement a thing of the past. (Image source: Samsung)
Alternatively, a new remote control for energy harvesting can pick up radio frequencies emitted by other technical equipment in your home such as a WiFi router. The power management chip inside the remote control converts the collected radio frequencies into electrical energy. This energy can then continue to charge the device’s internal batteries.
.
