Many everyday items are receiving technology upgrades, but you'd never know it. For example, how about that gorgeous quartz kitchen countertop? It can also be used as a high power charger for your devices.
On Tuesday, companies touted advanced AI-powered products for the home at the opening ceremony of CES, the technology industry's premier event, in Las Vegas. This year's show, which runs through Friday, will attract more than 4,000 exhibitors. Many companies are showing how common household products can work better together. Here are some of the latest debuts at CES 2024.
transparent tv
After years of prototyping, transparent TVs are a reality and will be in stores later this year. LG announced that it will start selling its 77-inch 4K transparent OLED TV, which won the Best of Innovation Award at CES 2024, in the second half of this year. See-through TVs offer a 3D-like viewing experience. This TV also features LG's Zero Connect technology, which allows it to be placed anywhere in the room without the need for a plug. The TV receives video and audio wirelessly.
The TV has a transparent OLED panel, but there's also the option of a “contrast screen,” or opaque film, that can be rolled up for a more traditional TV viewing experience. You can also display a “T-bar” (think of it as a news ticker) at the bottom of your screen to project information like news, weather, time, etc.
Samsung also unveiled a transparent TV equipped with micro OLED display technology. Samsung has not revealed when the TV will be released.
But the trend was evident at CES 2024. TV manufacturers seem to be focusing on ways to turn off the screen when not in use.
small home appliances
Home appliance manufacturers are developing all-in-one combinations that can free up space in your laundry room. LG and Samsung both showed off washer and dryer combos. Samsung says its custom all-in-one washer and dryer combos help save time and space by combining a washer and dryer into a single unit.
Similarly, LG's 27-inch washer-dryer combo offers an all-in-one solution. Furthermore, it uses a ventless system that uses a heat pump and uses a regular electrical outlet, so it can be installed anywhere in your home. LG and Samsung say their AI-powered washer-dryer combo uses 60% less energy than previous models and can wash and dry clothes in less than two hours.
pop-up at home theater
My home media room is equipped with a compact projector that allows me to experience a movie theater experience. XGIMI showed off Aladdin, his 4K smart projector hidden in a ceiling light that also has a 360 degree smart speaker. This projector is unobtrusive for a standard light and doesn't dangle like a standard ceiling-mounted projector. But it's still plenty powerful. The smart light can project images up to 100 inches on the wall.
LG's CineBeam Qube projector mimics old-school miniature projectors and film cameras, allowing it to sit prominently on your shelf. Flip it over to project a 4K image of him up to 120 inches. This lightweight device weighs only 3.25 pounds, making it one of the smallest projectors on the market.
Refrigerator with AI
Smart refrigerators with high-tech touchscreens are a staple at CES. Samsung went one step further this year by adding more AI features to its refrigerator products, aiming to turn your refrigerator into a personal chef. Powered by AI Family Hub+, Samsung's custom four-door flex refrigerator features an internal camera that can identify individual foods and create recommended recipes based on inventory. Adjust recipes to suit dietary preferences such as gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and more, and send cooking instructions to other smart appliances. You can also mirror your smartphone display onto one of your refrigerator door panels, turning the 32-inch panel into a touchscreen that can display videos.
charged countertop
FreePower has debuted technology that can turn your countertop into a wireless charging station. You can also incorporate technology discreetly into your kitchen island or home office desk. Charging begins when you place your smartphone or tablet on the countertop. You can charge multiple devices at the same time.
FreePower said in the release: “We are closer than ever to achieving our founding goal of bringing wireless power elegantly and easily anywhere. This latest application of our technology will power any countertop, from restaurant bartops to kitchen islands. It can be turned into a wireless charger. This embedded technology is seamlessly integrated into surfaces throughout our lives.”
An even smarter mirror
Add AI to the mirror and you get something like BMind, another CES 2024 Innovation Award winner. Baracoda's smart mirror analyzes your facial expressions, gestures, and tone and adjusts its responses to your mood. Provides lights, sounds, and displays. This mirror is meant to provide personalized light therapy sessions, guided meditation, and self-affirmation to help you feel better. Your own mirror is your own personal mindfulness coach.
“Technology that can monitor subtle changes in health has the potential to improve the quality of life for millions of people,” said Thomas Serval, CEO of Barracoda. “Our mental state has a strong impact on our physical well-being. Including our mood in our daily health check provides a complete picture that is a powerful step toward redefining preventive health.” born.”
discreet hub
As more devices become connected in your home, you need a central hub to control them all. These hubs are now more stylish and seamlessly integrated into your home. Mui Board Gen 2 appears as a natural wood accent in your home. Touch it and it becomes a smart board that drives the connection. The 2nd generation Mui Board supports Matter certified smart home products. Adjust everything from the thermostat to the window coverings from the wooden control panel.
Robot Home Arise
Nowadays, more and more households are using robot vacuums, so you may want to have one more, such as your own robot. CES 2024 showcased many visions of the future of home surveillance robots, including Samsung's Ballie, a ball-shaped robot with a projector. It can cast your shadow around your home and project information like the weather, calendar, YouTube videos, and more onto walls and surfaces. Ballie automatically finds surfaces to project your images, videos, and apps onto. Control Ballie with voice commands and use its projection as a touchscreen.
“When you use (Ballie) to project an image onto your wall and stream your content, it automatically adjusts the image based on wall distance and lighting conditions,” Samsung said in a press release. “It automatically detects the person's posture and face angle and adjusts the optimal projection angle.”
LG showed off its Smart Home AI Agent, a bipedal robot that can connect to home devices via sensors and cameras. It can use voice and image recognition to perform a variety of tasks, including greeting guests, taking care of pets, and acting as a security guard for your home. It will send you an alert if it senses something unusual, such as if a window is left open. Also, if the robot senses that you are in a bad mood, it will play music to make you feel better.
Improving air quality
Air quality continues to be a top priority among homeowners, and companies are offering more devices that can be installed throughout the home. For example, high humidity levels in your home can lead to mold growth, a common problem in poorly ventilated bathrooms. Kohler's Atmo bathroom fan is equipped with smart ventilation technology that automatically turns on when humidity is high. Atmo fans can also be scheduled to turn on and off, set humidity and temperature thresholds, and set night light settings.
room monitor
Property managers have more eyes and ears to see their properties from a distance. Alertify is a discreet, plug-in room and home monitoring device. It can detect indoor smoking, noise disturbance, etc. It is marketed to property managers and can provide real-time alerts to prevent noise complaints, property damage, or unauthorized gatherings. The company says post-incident reports can also be downloaded and submitted as evidence in the event of a dispute.