CES2020 12 Strange Gadgets

CES2020 12 Strange Gadgets

CES 2020 saw a number of cutting-edge technologies. Alienware's Concept UFO, OnePlus' Concept One, and Impossible Pork are just a few of the products that were unveiled at this year's CES. But among the thousands of smart home gadgets, robotic mechanisms, computers, and sex toys on display, some technologies proved stranger than others.

From a robot that picks up toilet paper to a super-powered cyborg suit, here are some of the weirdest and wackiest gadgets we were able to discover at CES 2020.

Charmin's RollBot has no trouble finding toilet paper, even when there is none within reach. Controlled by Bluetooth, this toilet paper vehicle makes it easy to get a new roll of toilet paper after you run out. It's like a beckoning hand when you need toilet paper. No word yet on when this strange little robot will hit store shelves, but here's to finally having a device dedicated to unexpected calls of nature. And no one is saying that it's not.

Imagine having another pair of hands in your kitchen. Except that they are attached to a robotic arm installed under the kitchen cabinets. While such an assistant may seem odd, Samsung's chopping and coffee-making Bot Chef may offer a glimpse of the robot-assisted kitchen of the future. Samsung did not announce pricing or availability, but if you can afford the Bot Chef, you can probably afford the real Bot Chef as well.

A two-minute teeth cleaning is so boring, FasTeesH's Y-Brush wants to save you time with a quirky sonic toothbrush that promises a full polish in just 10 seconds. That's because the 96-bristle bundle of this mouthguard-like gadget can clean half your mouth at once; the Y-Brush is one of the few CES products you can already buy, but we urge you to consult your dentist before investing in this $125 system.

If you're about to be late for a flight, or running around airports is a daily routine, the Modobag could be your new best friend. When turned on its side, this electric suitcase transforms into a speedy mini-scooter. Crouching a foot off the floor would make the rider look ridiculous, but CES visitors seemed to like the Modobag when they test rode it on the show floor. Perhaps they didn't like the $1,495 price tag so much.

Samsung seems to think we're ready for AI croquet balls to annoy us in our homes. Ballie, the robot, says it can know about you, support you, and take care of you; Ballie can also control your connected smart home devices, remind you to exercise, and provide companionship. This is not spooky either. It is unclear what more Samsung has planned for Ballie.

The Prinker S temporary tattoo printer is perfect for those who want quick ink without commitment. The FDA-compliant cosmetic ink on this portable gadget lasts one to three days and washes off with soap, and Prinker's companion app lets you choose from pre-made designs or create your own. Place the applicator on your skin and voila, your tattoo is complete.

Atmos Facewear is a ridiculous face mask that sends clean air into your mouth and nose. The transparent device does not adhere to the face, but according to the company, the one-way outflow prevents contaminated outside air from being sucked in. We fear a future in which Atmos will be needed, both because of its obtrusive design and its intended purpose.

Segway unveiled the wildest wheelchair we've ever seen at this year's CES: the S-Pod self-balancing vehicle looks like it just stepped out of "Wall-E." It travels at speeds of up to 24 mph and is designed for enclosed spaces like airports and shopping malls. We took the S-Pod for a spin and found it to be an absolute thrill to ride in, and we can't wait to see it in action. Unfortunately, no word on price or release date, but it definitely won't be cheap.

Samsung's Selfie Type turns any surface into a smartphone keyboard. Using the Galaxy's selfie camera and AI to track your hands, Selfie Type lets you tap an invisible full-size keyboard as if a real keyboard were right there. At first it sounded like a gimmick, but at CES it seemed like a technology that actually worked. We don't expect this to be in the next Samsung phone, but there's no reason to think it won't be far off.

At last year's CES, Kohler's Alexa-enabled toilets dominated the title of weirdest technology. And this year, the company unveiled its Moxie smart speaker showerhead. While not as seductive as a talking throne, Moxie makes a capable shower DJ. That is, if you don't mind having a microphone in your stall. Can we agree that not everything needs to have Alexa on board?

Sarcos' Guardian XO exoskeleton is both practical and cool. In a full-body suit, it can lift 200 pounds like a circus strongman. That's fine. But let me also state that if you wear that exoskeleton, people will think you are cosplaying as a Justice League cyborg. Well, let's see if they keep saying such rude things when you use your robotic arm to toss your pathetic sack of meat through the air like a pizza pie.

The Origin Big O was so bizarre, it actually started as a joke; Origin simply wanted to prove to the world that they could cram a PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch into a gaming PC and show it off to the world. But customers wanted it to be real, and Origin delivered. The consumer version of Big O is a bit more practical ($2,500 gets you an Xbox One or PS4 built into your PC), but still delightfully silly. Still, despite how over-the-top Big O is, it has real practical benefits for gamers who stream from their consoles or simply want to save space in their game nooks.

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