The Strangest Innovations from CES 2025
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is an annual event that spans an entire week, bringing together a vast array of new gadgets and services from diverse sectors. While some unveilings are groundbreaking, others may not live up to expectations, and a few simply defy logic.
As exploration led through bustling convention floors and exclusive media events during this year’s CES, the delight was palpable in discovering the quirkiest technological marvels on display. Oddity doesn’t equate to irrelevance; in fact, several of these inventions were among the most intriguing finds of the event. Here are eight standout products that captured attention:
Electric Salt Spoon
This peculiar utensil, dubbed the Kirin Electric Salt Spoon, garnered the title of the most bizarre and surprising product at CES by CNET Group. Its promise to enhance the saltiness of food comes not from added sodium but rather through a mild electrical charge.
Kirin claims that this innovative spoon utilizes a soft electrical current to draw sodium molecules towards taste receptors in the mouth, amplifying the flavor of whatever it’s applied to. There are four settings for intensity, with the manufacturer suggesting a gentle introduction at the lowest level. However, the spoon’s size presents a challenge for convenient use during meals.
While peculiar, this gadget holds the potential to assist individuals needing to lower their sodium consumption while still enjoying savory flavors.
Although a personal sampling wasn’t feasible, Mashable’s Matt Binder was able to test it; initially skeptical, he realized its effect when it ceased functioning mid-sip, highlighting the difference in taste while using the spoon.
Bodyfriend
Among the unexpected gadgets, a massage chair stood out, particularly one designed to resemble a Transformer and clearly taking cues from Bumblebee.
Despite the whimsical appearance, this is no Hasbro product; the company behind it is Bodyfriend. The chair’s articulated limbs are said to assist users in stretching areas they might otherwise struggle to reach. Still, its sluggish robot-like movement invokes images of a bot in distress, unable to rise.
Featuring 733 components and the ability to monitor heart rates, this massage chair aims to provide comprehensive relaxation. Experience it through a demonstration by CNET’s Bridget Carey featured at CES Unveiled:
Petal
For plant enthusiasts, the Petal offers an intriguing solution. This innovative AI-powered camera attaches to vegetation, helping users monitor their green friends.
Equipped with artificial intelligence, Petal can detect potential threats to plants, such as pests or environmental stressors. Additionally, there’s a playful interactive feature allowing communication with it, utilizing Bird Buddy’s chatbot to share insights into the plant’s day.
Nékojita FuFu
For those who struggle with beverages that are too hot, Nékojita FuFu presents a whimsical solution. This little cat-themed device balances on the edge of a cup or bowl, employing a discreet fan to cool off hot drinks.
While it may sound humorous, the claims are backed by results: the FuFu successfully reduces the temperature of hot water from 190°F to 160°F within three minutes. It adds a playful touch to beverage cooling, somewhat akin to novelty infusers like Mr. Tea.
While mainstream adoption might not be likely, the idea of having a quirky cat cool a drink offers a lighthearted option, complemented by humorous user suggestions on enhancing its pairing with heated mugs.
AeroCatTower
The AeroCatTower merges functionality with feline comfort—a unique twist as an air purifier and a cat tower. While its efficacy in air purification remains ambiguous, it ensures that your cat’s nap is undisturbed due to its responsive operations.
Whenever a feline companion climbs atop the tower, the unit moderates its air-cleaning intensity, promoting a tranquil resting spot complete with added warmth for your cozy kitty.
Realbotix
Those who may have glimpsed the Realbotix booth at CES witnessed a futuristic spectacle. The company focuses on humanoid robots powered by artificial intelligence aimed to generate uncanny interactions. CNET’s interaction with Aria, a sample robot, exemplifies this potential with its eerie features and ill-synchronized speech movements.
The unsettling experience is further amplified when the robots undergo face swaps, revealing a somewhat unsettling mask underneath. The underlying concept is interesting, yet the current execution raises eyebrows and elicits chuckles.
ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable
Lenovo unveiled two pivotal products at CES, among which was the revolutionary Lenovo Legion Go S, the first handheld PC gaming device not tied to Valve running SteamOS. The other interesting gadget is the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable, boasting a rollable screen that extends an extra 2.7 inches vertically.
A demonstration by DailyHackly’s tech editor, Michelle Ehrhardt, highlighted the laptop’s claim to fame. One can smoothly extend its display to a full 16.7 inches with a button or gesture, granting the versatility of a significantly larger screen encased within a standard 14-inch laptop. However, the internal components are relatively standard, featuring an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, up to 32GB of RAM, and up to a 1TB hard drive. With a price tag of $3,500, the unique display innovation may leave potential buyers questioning whether it leans more towards quirky than practical.
Dell’s Major Rebranding
A surprising shift occurred when Dell announced a significant branding overhaul at CES. Phasing out established names like XPS in favor of more generic terminology could lead to confusion. In its new lineup, Dell will categorize products as Dell, Dell Pro, and Dell Pro Max, which further divides into Base, Plus, and Premium subclasses.
This could result in a perplexing scenario where friends might have entirely different models under the same overarching brand name—imagine owning a Dell Pro Max Premium while a buddy opts for a Dell Plus. For clarification, there is an insightful overview available.
