Gadgets to make your life easier at CES. #1 the Holobox

A visitor at CES Las Vegas experiments with the Holobox hologram box, January 11, 2024. Photo: Julie JAMMOT / AFP Source: AFP© Provided by Tuko

Holographic Machine

At the CES event in Las Vegas on January 11, 2024, visitors got to try out some new tech like the Holobox hologram box. Technology often aims to make everyday tasks easier, even brushing your teeth or using the toilet. Let’s look at some of the (other) cool gadgets showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show:

Supersonic Toothbrush

A French company called Y-Brush has created a supersonic toothbrush shaped like a “Y”. It does all the brushing work in just twenty seconds, saving time compared to the usual two minutes.

Talk to my hologram

Dutch company Holobox allows users to try out their own hologram, on 11 January 2024. Photo: Julie JAMMOT / AFP Source: AFP© Provided by Tuko

Holograms have been a curiosity for years, particularly in the entertainment sector. But Steve Sterling, North American Director for Holoconnects, believes that their use is becoming widespread. “Right now, there’s a global dispute resolution conference going on between Amsterdam and Phoenix.. So we’ve connected an expert from Amsterdam into the panel,” said Sterling.

The hologram displays are used in the hotel, medical and retail sectors. Thanks to ChatGPT-style artificial intelligence, Holoconnects can also create avatars, including for celebrities or experts, that interact with the public without disturbing the real person. “We have a (virtual) sommelier from a vineyard that you can ask questions to, and you can talk to her about how the wine is made and things like that, and she’ll respond to you,” said Sterling.

Luxury throne

Numi 2.0 smart toilets, from American company Kohler, are priced at $10,000 in black and $8,500 in white. Photo: Frederic J. BROWN / AFP Source: AFP© Provided by Tuko

“This is the smartest toilet that exists in the world,” stated Ryan Grotegut, who manages marketing at Kohler, a US company specializing in kitchen and bathroom design.

Grotegut is talking about Numi 2.0.

Numi opens automatically when someone approaches, almost like magic. Once seated, the seat warms up to a set temperature. After using it, users can simply get up without worrying about flushing. Numi 2.0 flushes automatically, adjusting the water amount depending on usage (between 3 and 3.80 liters), then deodorizes and disinfects.

The toilet has built-in showerheads, with customizable settings for temperature, pressure, and more, along with a dryer. A remote control, attached magnetically, allows users to choose options. Additionally, Numi responds to voice commands through Alexa, Amazon’s virtual assistant, which is integrated into the toilet. These toilets, featuring LED lighting in customizable colors, are priced at $10,000 for black and $8,500 for white.

Autofocus eyes

With the Vixion01, you don’t have to use special lenses that change gradually. It allows you to quickly see things up close and far away by measuring distances with sensors and adjusting the lenses.

Vixion 01 autofocus glasses in Las Vegas. Photo: Frederic J. BROWN / AFP Source: AFP© Provided by Tuko

“These are autofocus glasses,” said Takuya Nonaka, a leader at the Japanese firm Vixion, talking to AFP. With these glasses, you can see small things like the lines on wood, and the battery stays charged for up to ten hours.

But remember, it’s not safe to drive or play sports with them on. Right now, you can only get them in Japan, and there’s just one style, costing $700.