CES is home to some of the coolest, cutting-edge, and most innovative technology around. But within this sea of tech are always some pretty strange gadgets. This year\u2019s conference was no different, packed with a whole bunch of wacky devices, some of which might have a chance of taking off, and others… maybe not so much.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Here\u2019s a roundup of all the weird tech we spotted on the CES show floor and beyond.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
1. Mirumi, the shy sloth-like robot<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\nMirumi is a furry little robot that latches onto your purse or backpack strap. It turns its head to look curiously around the room using built-in sensors. But much like an infant, Mirumi is designed to be a bit shy, so it might bury its face if it\u2019s touched or approached by strangers. The company behind Mirumi, Yukai Engineering, plans to launch the bot through a crowdfunding campaign this year with an expected price of $70.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n2. A phone battery charger that resembles a toaster<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n Photo by Allison Johnson \/ The Verge<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nNo, my colleague Allison Johnson isn\u2019t sticking her phone in a toaster \u2014 that white box is actually a charging hub made by Swippitt. It\u2019s designed to power up a series of external batteries that go into Swippitt\u2019s Link phone case, giving your device a little extra charge. When your battery is on the verge of dying, insert your phone into the hub, and it will automatically swap out the external battery for one that\u2019s fully charged, no cords or wireless charging stations needed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n3. This retractable keyboard<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\nI never even thought I needed a keyboard that retracts to reveal a trackpad and number pad, and after seeing my colleague Sean Hollister use it… I still don\u2019t think I need it. The AutoKeybo uses a built-in camera to detect the position of your hands and will automatically switch between setups when you raise them slightly. It\u2019s supposed to help you \u201cboost productivity\u201d by saving you from moving your hands between your mouse and keyboard, and it comes with a pretty hefty $700 price tag.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n4. An even more portable LG StanbyME display<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\nLG is back with a second version of its portable StanbyME monitor<\/a>. But this time, you can add a shoulder strap to the 27-inch monitor, letting you haul it around while on the go (or hang it up in a room). There\u2019s even a new folio case that makes it look like an absurdly large tablet. Aside from the new accessories, the StanbyME comes with other upgrades over its predecessor, including a higher 1440p resolution, a longer four-hour battery life, and two USB-C ports.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n5. SwitchBot\u2019s modular, multitasking robot<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\nSwitchBot made a modular robot capable of completing many different types of chores. Built on a version of SwitchBot\u2019s mini robot vacuum, the Multitasking Household Robot K20 Plus Pro\u00a0comes with a wheeled \u201cFusionPlatform\u201d that you can equip with various devices, like the company\u2019s air purifier, fan, security camera, and more, allowing it to roll around your house while completing all kinds of tasks. It will be able to do even more in the future with the in-development robotic arms you can see in the video above.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n6. An 18-karat gold smart ring<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\nForget your traditional engagement ring. What about presenting your partner with an 18-karat gold smart<\/em> ring? Well, Ultrahuman made just that, with its \u201cartisanal\u201d Rare ring, costing $1,900 in gold (or $2,200 in platinum). Aside from full access to all of Ultrahuman\u2019s features and lifetime membership to its warranty program, this device has the same specs as the far cheaper $349 Ultrahuman Ring Air<\/a> \u2014 just in a far more expensive package.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n7. LG\u2019s air purifier your cat can sit on<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\nThe LG AeroCatTower is exactly what it sounds like: an air purifier that doubles as a cat tree. In addition to providing a heated spot for your feline friend, it filters out pet dander and even weighs your cat, too. The AeroCatTower connects to the LG ThinQ app, where you can see information about your cat\u2019s weight and track how long your cat was asleep.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n8. The \u201cworld\u2019s first wearable solar panel\u201d<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n Photo by Antonio G. Di Benedetto \/ The Verge<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nThis jacket from Anker is still just a concept for now, but it gives off real Cyberpunk 2077<\/em> vibes with its LED light strips and perovskite solar cells wrapped around the outside of the cloak. It offers a 30W maximum input, along with a USB-C output you can use to charge your phone.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n9. LG\u2019s indoor gardening side table<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy \/ The Verge<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nLike LG\u2019s AeroCatTower, the company\u2019s latest take on indoor gardening combines multiple functions in a single package. The device looks similar to your typical side table, but it features a lamp you can grow plants beneath. It also automatically waters your plants using its built-in tank and has a built-in speaker. LG made a taller, lamp-style garden<\/a> as well.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n10. Encapsulated anime girls that talk to you<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n Photo by Sean Hollister \/ The Verge<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nThis is exactly what it looks like: a pod containing 3D models of dancing anime girls. But it doesn\u2019t have<\/em> to house anime girls; you can upload any character to Character Livehouse<\/a>\u2019s 1200p display, and it will use AI to interact with you. The capsule comes equipped with cameras and microphones with sound recognition, allowing the character to detect your presence. Code 27, the company behind Character Livehouse, says the model can cheer you on in games and even \u201cgently\u201d wake you up. It\u2019s headed to Kickstarter soon with a price range of $400 to $500.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Mirumi is a furry little robot that latches onto your purse or backpack strap. It turns its head to look curiously around the room using built-in sensors. But much like an infant, Mirumi is designed to be a bit shy, so it might bury its face if it\u2019s touched or approached by strangers. The company behind Mirumi, Yukai Engineering, plans to launch the bot through a crowdfunding campaign this year with an expected price of $70.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
2. A phone battery charger that resembles a toaster<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n Photo by Allison Johnson \/ The Verge<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nNo, my colleague Allison Johnson isn\u2019t sticking her phone in a toaster \u2014 that white box is actually a charging hub made by Swippitt. It\u2019s designed to power up a series of external batteries that go into Swippitt\u2019s Link phone case, giving your device a little extra charge. When your battery is on the verge of dying, insert your phone into the hub, and it will automatically swap out the external battery for one that\u2019s fully charged, no cords or wireless charging stations needed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n3. This retractable keyboard<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\nI never even thought I needed a keyboard that retracts to reveal a trackpad and number pad, and after seeing my colleague Sean Hollister use it… I still don\u2019t think I need it. The AutoKeybo uses a built-in camera to detect the position of your hands and will automatically switch between setups when you raise them slightly. It\u2019s supposed to help you \u201cboost productivity\u201d by saving you from moving your hands between your mouse and keyboard, and it comes with a pretty hefty $700 price tag.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n4. An even more portable LG StanbyME display<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\nLG is back with a second version of its portable StanbyME monitor<\/a>. But this time, you can add a shoulder strap to the 27-inch monitor, letting you haul it around while on the go (or hang it up in a room). There\u2019s even a new folio case that makes it look like an absurdly large tablet. Aside from the new accessories, the StanbyME comes with other upgrades over its predecessor, including a higher 1440p resolution, a longer four-hour battery life, and two USB-C ports.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n5. SwitchBot\u2019s modular, multitasking robot<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\nSwitchBot made a modular robot capable of completing many different types of chores. Built on a version of SwitchBot\u2019s mini robot vacuum, the Multitasking Household Robot K20 Plus Pro\u00a0comes with a wheeled \u201cFusionPlatform\u201d that you can equip with various devices, like the company\u2019s air purifier, fan, security camera, and more, allowing it to roll around your house while completing all kinds of tasks. It will be able to do even more in the future with the in-development robotic arms you can see in the video above.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n6. An 18-karat gold smart ring<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\nForget your traditional engagement ring. What about presenting your partner with an 18-karat gold smart<\/em> ring? Well, Ultrahuman made just that, with its \u201cartisanal\u201d Rare ring, costing $1,900 in gold (or $2,200 in platinum). Aside from full access to all of Ultrahuman\u2019s features and lifetime membership to its warranty program, this device has the same specs as the far cheaper $349 Ultrahuman Ring Air<\/a> \u2014 just in a far more expensive package.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n7. LG\u2019s air purifier your cat can sit on<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\nThe LG AeroCatTower is exactly what it sounds like: an air purifier that doubles as a cat tree. In addition to providing a heated spot for your feline friend, it filters out pet dander and even weighs your cat, too. The AeroCatTower connects to the LG ThinQ app, where you can see information about your cat\u2019s weight and track how long your cat was asleep.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n8. The \u201cworld\u2019s first wearable solar panel\u201d<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n Photo by Antonio G. Di Benedetto \/ The Verge<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nThis jacket from Anker is still just a concept for now, but it gives off real Cyberpunk 2077<\/em> vibes with its LED light strips and perovskite solar cells wrapped around the outside of the cloak. It offers a 30W maximum input, along with a USB-C output you can use to charge your phone.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n9. LG\u2019s indoor gardening side table<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy \/ The Verge<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nLike LG\u2019s AeroCatTower, the company\u2019s latest take on indoor gardening combines multiple functions in a single package. The device looks similar to your typical side table, but it features a lamp you can grow plants beneath. It also automatically waters your plants using its built-in tank and has a built-in speaker. LG made a taller, lamp-style garden<\/a> as well.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n10. Encapsulated anime girls that talk to you<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n Photo by Sean Hollister \/ The Verge<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nThis is exactly what it looks like: a pod containing 3D models of dancing anime girls. But it doesn\u2019t have<\/em> to house anime girls; you can upload any character to Character Livehouse<\/a>\u2019s 1200p display, and it will use AI to interact with you. The capsule comes equipped with cameras and microphones with sound recognition, allowing the character to detect your presence. Code 27, the company behind Character Livehouse, says the model can cheer you on in games and even \u201cgently\u201d wake you up. It\u2019s headed to Kickstarter soon with a price range of $400 to $500.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Photo by Allison Johnson \/ The Verge<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n No, my colleague Allison Johnson isn\u2019t sticking her phone in a toaster \u2014 that white box is actually a charging hub made by Swippitt. It\u2019s designed to power up a series of external batteries that go into Swippitt\u2019s Link phone case, giving your device a little extra charge. When your battery is on the verge of dying, insert your phone into the hub, and it will automatically swap out the external battery for one that\u2019s fully charged, no cords or wireless charging stations needed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n I never even thought I needed a keyboard that retracts to reveal a trackpad and number pad, and after seeing my colleague Sean Hollister use it… I still don\u2019t think I need it. The AutoKeybo uses a built-in camera to detect the position of your hands and will automatically switch between setups when you raise them slightly. It\u2019s supposed to help you \u201cboost productivity\u201d by saving you from moving your hands between your mouse and keyboard, and it comes with a pretty hefty $700 price tag.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n LG is back with a second version of its portable StanbyME monitor<\/a>. But this time, you can add a shoulder strap to the 27-inch monitor, letting you haul it around while on the go (or hang it up in a room). There\u2019s even a new folio case that makes it look like an absurdly large tablet. Aside from the new accessories, the StanbyME comes with other upgrades over its predecessor, including a higher 1440p resolution, a longer four-hour battery life, and two USB-C ports.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n SwitchBot made a modular robot capable of completing many different types of chores. Built on a version of SwitchBot\u2019s mini robot vacuum, the Multitasking Household Robot K20 Plus Pro\u00a0comes with a wheeled \u201cFusionPlatform\u201d that you can equip with various devices, like the company\u2019s air purifier, fan, security camera, and more, allowing it to roll around your house while completing all kinds of tasks. It will be able to do even more in the future with the in-development robotic arms you can see in the video above.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Forget your traditional engagement ring. What about presenting your partner with an 18-karat gold smart<\/em> ring? Well, Ultrahuman made just that, with its \u201cartisanal\u201d Rare ring, costing $1,900 in gold (or $2,200 in platinum). Aside from full access to all of Ultrahuman\u2019s features and lifetime membership to its warranty program, this device has the same specs as the far cheaper $349 Ultrahuman Ring Air<\/a> \u2014 just in a far more expensive package.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The LG AeroCatTower is exactly what it sounds like: an air purifier that doubles as a cat tree. In addition to providing a heated spot for your feline friend, it filters out pet dander and even weighs your cat, too. The AeroCatTower connects to the LG ThinQ app, where you can see information about your cat\u2019s weight and track how long your cat was asleep.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Photo by Antonio G. Di Benedetto \/ The Verge<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n This jacket from Anker is still just a concept for now, but it gives off real Cyberpunk 2077<\/em> vibes with its LED light strips and perovskite solar cells wrapped around the outside of the cloak. It offers a 30W maximum input, along with a USB-C output you can use to charge your phone.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy \/ The Verge<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Like LG\u2019s AeroCatTower, the company\u2019s latest take on indoor gardening combines multiple functions in a single package. The device looks similar to your typical side table, but it features a lamp you can grow plants beneath. It also automatically waters your plants using its built-in tank and has a built-in speaker. LG made a taller, lamp-style garden<\/a> as well.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Photo by Sean Hollister \/ The Verge<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n This is exactly what it looks like: a pod containing 3D models of dancing anime girls. But it doesn\u2019t have<\/em> to house anime girls; you can upload any character to Character Livehouse<\/a>\u2019s 1200p display, and it will use AI to interact with you. The capsule comes equipped with cameras and microphones with sound recognition, allowing the character to detect your presence. Code 27, the company behind Character Livehouse, says the model can cheer you on in games and even \u201cgently\u201d wake you up. It\u2019s headed to Kickstarter soon with a price range of $400 to $500.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n3. This retractable keyboard<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
4. An even more portable LG StanbyME display<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
5. SwitchBot\u2019s modular, multitasking robot<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
6. An 18-karat gold smart ring<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
7. LG\u2019s air purifier your cat can sit on<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
8. The \u201cworld\u2019s first wearable solar panel\u201d<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
9. LG\u2019s indoor gardening side table<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
10. Encapsulated anime girls that talk to you<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n