Color-changing BMW, flying cars top list of 5 best CES 2023 innovations

SIMONE DEL ROSARIO:

EACH YEAR TECH COMPANIES MAKE THE PILGRIMAGE TO THE VEGAS DESERT FOR THE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW. THE CUTTING EDGE PRODUCTS SHOWCASED HERE CAN MOLD THE FUTURE OF TECH *OR BE A FLASH IN THE PAN. WE’VE GOT SOME OF THIS YEAR’S MOST INTERESTING INNOVATIONS IN THIS WEEK’S FIVE FOR FRIDAY.

DODGING ELECTRIC SKATEBOARDERS AND SCOOTER RIDERS IS THE BANE OF THOSE LIVING IN BIG CITIES. GET READY TO ADD ELECTRIC ROLLER SKATERS TO THE LIST OF SILENT ASSASSINS SNEAKING UP AS YOU SAUNTER ON. ATMOSGEAR’S ELECTRIC SKATES BOAST A TOP SPEED OF 20 MILES PER HOUR AND A RANGE OF 20 MILES FOR JUST $500 BUCKS. THE DOWNSIDE IS THE EXTERNAL BATTERY THAT STRAPS TO YOUR BACK. CAN’T IMAGINE WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO FALL ON THAT THING.

CANADA’S GLUXKIND {GLUX-KIN} DEMOED ITS ELLA A-I POWERED SMART STROLLER THIS YEAR. IT’S GOT THE FEATURE SET OF AN AUTONOMOUS CAR, BUT FOR A LAZY PARENT. JUST KIDDING! IT ASSISTS WITH UPHILL WALKS, CAN BRAKE GOING DOWNHILL AND HAS A HANDS FREE MODE. IF THE LITTLE ONE IS RESTLESS IT OFFERS A BUILT IN WHITE NOISE MACHINE AND ROCK-MY-BABY MODE. IT’S A LOT BETTER THAN THE SMART DIAPER C-E-S FEATURED A FEW YEARS AGO.

EVERYTHING’S “SMART” THESE DAYS SO WHY NOT A TOILET SENSOR. WITHINGS U-SCAN IS A SMALL SCANNER THAT ATTACHES TO YOUR TOILET BOWL AND CAN CHECK PH LEVELS, TRACK OVULATION CYCLES AND DETECT EARLY SIGNS OF HEALTH ISSUES. ALL THE DATA CAN BE SEEN ON AN APP. APPARENTLY IT CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN USERS BASED ON DISTANCE AND SPEED OF FLOW. IT ALL FEELS LIKE A LITTLE TOO MUCH INFO DOWN THERE.

FLYING VEHICLES HAVE BEEN A CES MAINSTAY FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS. THIS YEAR ASKA {AAH-SKUH} SHOWED OFF ITS FUNCTIONAL A5. IT’S ELECTRIC BUT DOES HAVE A SMALL GAS RESERVE. IT FITS IN A NORMAL PARKING SPOT BUT NEEDS A BIT MORE ROOM TO TAKE OFF AND LAND. IT’S STILL WAITING ON FAA APPROVAL, BUT THE COMPANY IS TAKING 5-THOUSAND DOLLAR REFUNDABLE DEPOSITS FOR THE NEARLY $800 GRAND VEHICLE. IF THE PRICE TAG IS TOO STEEP TO BUY, THEY DO HOPE TO START A RIDE HAILING SERVICE IN 2026.

BMW’S “I VISION DEE” CONCEPT CAR IS ABOUT EMOTION, I GUESS THAT’S WHY THEY GOT ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER TO GET ALL NOSTALGIC FOR ITS UNVEILING. BMW CALLS IT THE ULTIMATE COMPANION THAT CAN “SPEAK, LISTEN AND UNDERSTAND YOUR WISHES.” IT CAN CHANGE COLOR ON A WHIM AND ITS FRONT GRILL CREATES A DISPLAY THAT APPARENTLY SHOWS REAL PERSONALITY. DON’T WORRY, THEY MADE SURE TO INCLUDE A REFERENCE TO KITT FROM KNIGHT RIDER.. (POP FROM THE HOFF)

WE STAYED OUT OF THE METAVERSE FOR THIS ONE, EVEN IF A COMPANY SHOWED OFF A VR HEADSET THAT ALLOWED YOU TO SMELL THE VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT. WE’VE GOT ENOUGH SMELLS HERE IN NEW YORK, THAT’S FIVE FOR FRIDAY. I’M SIMONE DEL ROSARIO. IT’S JUST BUSINESS.