Best of CES 2023: Dog communication and a calming pillow

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Tech companies are showing off their latest products this week at CESformerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show.

The show officially opened Thursday, with crowds of investors, media professionals and tech insiders flocking to cavernous Las Vegas venues to witness the latest tech. Both large corporations and startups.

Here are some highlights:

“talking” pets

Have you ever wondered what your dog would say if he could talk to you?

FluentPet promises the next best thing — buttons that the company says you can train your pet to push if they’re hungry, need to go outside, or want to play.

The buttons come in a hexagon shaped plastic mat called a hexagon. Hextiles can be connected to each other to form a larger group of buttons.

“We found that when dogs actually kind of know they’re being understood because they have the subtlety and idiosyncrasy of buttons, they complain less because they no longer question whether they’ve really communicated what they want,” Liu said. Trottier, CEO of FluentPet.

At CES, the company announced FluentPet Connect, a new app that notifies owners when their dog has pressed a button and collects data on how the buttons are used.

The Fluent Pet Starter Kit comes complete with sextants, a speaker and six buttons for $159.95. The application does not require a subscription.

Hi-tech stroller

Canadian startup Gluxkind’s smart stroller is designed to make life easier for parents on the go.

The AI-powered stroller has a sensor that can know when you’ve picked up a picky baby, at which point it will roll in front of you as you walk without you having to touch it.

When the baby is in the stroller, you need to keep your hands on it, but the battery will help push it in, making it easier to push it up. It stops automatically if it moves too far from the person pushing it. It can also rock the baby back and forth.

The battery lasts about eight hours and it takes two to four hours to charge.

“I looked at the stroller market and was really surprised we didn’t find anything with some kind of automation or mechanization,” said Ann Henger, who co-founded the company with her husband Kevin Huang after their daughter was born. in 2020.

The company is currently taking pre-orders for the stroller and hopes to deliver them starting in July. Prices start at $3,300.

Soothing pillow

Need a break? Japanese company Yukai Engineering says its robotic pillow can help users relax by simulating the rhythm of breathing.

The soft fluffy pillow gently expands and contracts, vibrating as you hold it against your stomach. The idea is that you will breathe in slowly and deeply as your breath begins to synchronize with the movement of the pillow.

Developed based on research conducted at the University of Tokyo.

Yukai CEO Shunsuke Aoki said the pad could help remote workers who are struggling to quit their jobs.

The version shown at CES is a prototype. The company is looking for partners and hopes to start producing it this year.

Robot Dog

Meet Dog-E, the sexy robot.

Unveiled by toy maker WowWee, Dog-E contains over a million possible combinations of lights, sounds, and personality traits.

Dog-E starts out as a blank canvas and develops his personality as he prepares it.

The app-connected toy has sound sensors to hear sounds, touch sensors on its sides and body, and a tail that you can program to display light-up symbols and messages when shaken.

Jessica Kalichman of WowWee says it’s a good option for those who can’t commit to owning a real puppy, or perhaps for those with allergies.

“I think for anyone who isn’t ready to get a dog yet, this is a great test to take care of it, to learn to feed it, to care for it, and to really make that experience for a family,” she said.

WowWee expects Dog-E to be in stores this September. It will sell for $79. The app to control the movements of the game does not require a subscription.

Folding treadmill

If you want a treadmill but don’t have a lot of space, WalkingPad offers a solution – a lightweight treadmill that folds into two parts when not in use and stores on a wall or under a bed.

The WalkingPad reaches speeds of up to 7.5 mph (12 km/h). Also includes a detachable phone or tablet stand and tracks your workouts in a free app. Its creators envision it helping remote workers stay fit at home.

An early version of the WalkingPad went viral on TikTok as influencers added it to videos about the daily routine of working from home.

King Smith Fitness, creator of the Walking Pad, opened its first headquarters in Dallas in December.

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