Even though CES 2021 was fully virtual, we still saw tons of new devices, including laptops, drones, TVs, wearables, smart home gadgets, and more. But this was also the year we saw a lot of product concepts.
You see, the “beauty” of shows like CES is the ability write about our hands-on experiences with products. But since we couldn’t roam the halls of CES in person this year, it was the perfect time for brands to announce gadgets that weren’t ready for store shelves.
And, it turns out these concepts were actually the best tech of CES, too. Does this mean CES was particularly underwhelming this year? Yes. Will these products ever go into production? Much like our hopes and dreams for a better 2021, the answer is: Maybe.
Anyway, here’s the best tech from this year’s CES.
1. Rollable phones
The first day of CES brought not one but two rollable smartphones.
First up was the LG Rollable, which features a single display that looks the size of a standard smartphone at first glance. But the screen rolls out to give you a tablet-like experience. The company gave us a sneak peek of what that would look like during its keynote.
An LG spokesperson later confirmed the phone would launch this year, but we’re not going to get our hopes up. Sure, its LG Wing launched back in 2020 (as part of its experimental LG Explorer project) but a working dual-screen phone seems a lot easier to manufacture than a device with a rollable display. It feels too soon for that kind of sorcery, so we’re going to consider this one a concept until further notice.
The second rollable concept phone came from TCL. While its name is yet to be confirmed, it goes from a 6.7-inch display to 7.8 inches with the push of a button. This isn’t the company’s first rodeo with rollable screens, but it is the first one that actually works. Last year’s version was a prototype that required manually expanding the screen. But working model or not, TCL has dropped zero hints that this one will ever make it past the concept stage.
2. Samsung Bots
Would you rather: Have a robot that completes all your household chores or one that keeps track of your work schedule? Well, thanks to Samsung, you might be able to have both. At CES, the company unveiled two new robots called Bot Handy and Bot Care.
Bot Handy is capable of recognizing and grabbing all types of objects throughout the house. That means you can assign it to load the dishwasher, put away groceries, and pick up laundry. Best of all, it can pour you a glass of wine.
Then there’s Bot Care, which has a flip-up display attached to its head so that you can stream video calls. Sure, it’s helpful to have a personal assistant around to keep up with virtual appointments. But its reminders to stand up and stretch kind of make it a buzzkill.
According to Samsung, the robots are “currently in production.” But other than demos during its press conference, the company remained super vague on details, like how these things even work. Considering the company’s tendency to announce robots that have yet to hit the market (e.g. the personal companion robot Ballie and personal cook Bot Chef), these bots might never make it into our homes.
3. Razer’s Project Hazel smart mask
Even in a non-pandemic world, I’d probably still find a way to incorporate Razer’s face mask into my outfits. Known as Project Hazel, the gaming company’s “smart mask” concept is made of translucent plastic that lets you see the wearer’s mouth.
It also comes equipped with a microphone and amplifier along with lights on the inside that glow when it’s dark outside. On the outside, you have millions of color options for the two “lighting zones” that are fit for a rave.
Okay, these actually look terrifying.
Image: razer
But it’s not all fun and games — I mean, we are wearing face masks to protect ourselves and others. According to Razer, the masks feature “N95 medical-grade respirator protection.” You can take out the ventilators, recharge them, and clean them with its handy-dandy UV light sanitization charing box.
Don’t get your hopes up though, because again, this is a concept. If you are looking to step up your face mask game, you’ll probably want to check out AirPop, which tracks your breath, air quality, and whether the mask’s filter is effective.
4. Toto Wellness Toilet
Toto’s Wellness Toilet examines your poo so you don’t have to. Yep, you read that right.
It analyzes and tracks things like bowel movements, scent, and blood flow. Your data is then sent to the connected app on your phone with feedback such as an “unbalanced diet,” along with recommendations on what foods to eat.
This thing sounds gross but also necessary.
Image: toto
But the ability to accurately detect these things requires gathering a lot data (as in, poop data), years of testing, and finding a way to incorporate the necessary sensors into the toilet without driving the cost up.
Until then, I guess we’re stuck with reading WebMD.
5. LG’s transparent TV
Let’s face it: TVs aren’t the most attractive devices and, most of the time, people are trying to find ways to dress them up, by storing them inside an entertainment center or decorating around them. LG’s “Smart Bed” concept solves that problem by storing the TV inside a bed frame.
It consists of a small frame with a 55-inch transparent OLED screen inside, placed at the foot of your bed. Whenever you’re ready to stream some Netflix, the screen rises up and works as a full-blown TV (with no backlight). Then, when you’re done using it, the screen disappears back into frame.
While it sounds like an excellent addition to the bedroom, it’s sadly not available for purchase. But even if it was, it’d probably be crazy expensive like LG’s other rollable TV.
6. Cadillac Halo’s VTOL flying car
Due to COVID, I’m content with not taking public transportation anytime soon, so I’m hoping that Cadillac’s passenger drone will one day become a reality. Known as the VTOL flying car, it’s designed for short flights that allow you to skip the hassle of going to the airport.
I’m perfectly fine with flying cars remaining a concept.
Image: cadillac
Basically, it would take off and land via pads on downtown rooftops — autonomously. In theory, not having to share a flight with other humans (including a pilot) in a post-pandemic world sounds wonderful. But deep down, I think I’m OK with this one remaining a concept, because I’m not sure I trust a computer to fly me without a pilot just yet.
7. Harman’s futuristic cars
Don’t think Android Auto has enough features? You might be into these “experience concepts.” Harman, a subsidiary of Samsung, showed off three concepts for inside the car — specifically for gamers, content creators, and concert-goers.
The Gamer Intensive Max concept features OLED displays, headrests with speakers built-in, and audio technology that reduces both echo and background noise while you’re playing.
Next, the Creator Studio acts as a recording studio, complete with editing controls on the steering wheel. The interior lighting is set to “flattering mode,” and there are multiple cameras inside that switch to shoot your best angle depending on your activity and head movement. Once you’re done recording content, there’s a virtual assistant that gives your video a cover image and title.
Last is Drive-Live concert, which is supposed to replicate the feeling of being at a concert. The headrests come with speakers that move, to give you more of a surround-sound experience, and the lighting inside the car synchronizes with the music. This one is probably the most appropriate concept during a pandemic, since it’ll be a while before we can attend big shows again.
Speaking of big shows, let’s hope we’ll all be able to get back on the show floor at CES one day. That way, I can round up real tech products instead of concepts.