by SC Associate Publisher Chuck Larsen
The Consumer Electronics Show, a worldwide exhibition for new consumer technology usually held each year in Las Vegas, went virtual this year due to the ongoing health pandemic. While I was not able to roam aisles filled with a vast array of gadgets capturing my attention, I tuned in to the virtual show and bring you my third, and final, installment.
Kitchens and bedrooms are always good targets for consumer electronics as they try to make our lives better. Plus, I threw in an unveiling from the auto racing world that brings together innovation and speed.
Smart Crib
I start with a smart crib designed by parents for parents, which is their sales pitch. It has a built-in baby monitor and learns sleep patterns and spots signs of first wake-up. It then starts bounding with soothing music. Designed for 0 to 24 months old, it will be available shortly for $1,500 from BuyDirect.com.
Smart Pillow
From DozzyCozy.com comes a mechanical pillow. Whereas other adjustable pillows are manual, this automatically adjusts height of pillow to accommodate your sleeping position – for both side sleeping and back sleeping. One version detects snoring and gently shakes up and down to stop the snoring. It then adjusts pillow thickness. It reduces pressure and tingling on shoulder, neck and arms. The smart pillow comes in three styles: classic, premium and anti-snoring.
Nighttime Temperature
The hydro-powered Chili Sleep thermal mattress pad will cool or heat your bed from 55 to 115 degrees. It has a precise temperature control for this water-based system. It’s priced from $699 to $1,499 from single to king size and available from Amazon.
Robotic Kitchen
Italian designed combined with German technology, this full kitchen setup cooks from scratch and cleans up afterwards. It has 5,000 recipes on hand or you can record your own. Billed as the most advanced kitchen robot ever, it took six years of research and development. Cost is $337,000 and available now. A much less expensive version is known as “take out.”
Kitchen Blender Technology
The Millo magnetic air drive blender is promoted as the world’s smallest blender. Designed in Lithuania, it has a travel cup and drinking accessory. The Millo will be priced around $400 when available.
Indoor Garden
A Rise smart indoor garden tells you when to water or take action on behalf of your plants. It’s designed to grow 60 varieties of herbs and vegetables in your home. It is Wi-Fi connected and described as an app-guided indoor hydroponic garden. Selling for $279 to $949 depending upon the size, it’s available through Amazon.
Driverless Auto Racing
This is for all of you who know and love the Indianapolis Motor Speedway or an innovative challenge. IMS and Energy Systems Network, organizers of the Indy Autonomous Challenge, unveiled the official racecar that will be autonomously driven by scores of university teams in the world’s first high-speed, head-to-head autonomous race Oct. 23 at the Racing Capital of the World. The Indy Autonomous Challenge is a $1.5 million university prize competition.
Racing at speeds of up to 200 mph, the primary goal of the IAC is to advance technology that can speed the commercialization of fully autonomous vehicles and deployments of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). These enhancements will lead to increased safety and performance in all modes of racing and commercial transportation. In addition, the competition is a platform for students to excel in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).
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