As robots come to make life easier, we reveal the best and barmiest inventions from droids that read to your kids, beds that stop you rowing and laser games for cats
Gadgets will revolutionise the way we live from hot pants that give you directions to cane that cares for your gran
THE future’s here and it’s all about making your life easier.
From hot pants that give you directions to a wardrobe that folds your clothes, the latest must-have gadgets are today going on show at the world’s biggest technology expo.
And they promise to revolutionise the way we live as tech firms come up with solutions to problems we didn’t even know we had.
Here, Consumer Editor DANIEL JONES picks some of the best – and barmiest – inventions at the 50th Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Robot reads to your kids
Kuri robot
£700, out end of year
THIS cute little robot will take on lots of tasks for you – and can even read your children a bedtime story if you’re stuck in the office.
The fact it looks like it has escaped the WALL-E movie is not that surprising since its head designer used to work at maker Pixar.
The friendly-looking Kuri follows you around the house so you can bark orders at it at any point.
You can use it to control your gadgets and check on your house with its built-in HD camera.
Bed stops couples rowing
Sleep Number 360 Smart Bed
Price TBC, out later in year
ONE of many gadgets promising a better night’s sleep, this bed goes one step further – preventing arguments by stopping your partner’s snoring with gentle nudges.
It also warms up your feet if they are getting cold and adjusts itself to match your tossing and turning – changing the firmness of the mattress and raising or lowering the head.
Laser plays with your cat
Petcube Camera
£149, out now
CATS love nothing more than stalking, chasing and pouncing on things, especially laser lights.
Now you don’t even need to be at home to play with your furry friend.
The Petcube is an animal-monitoring camera with two-way audio communication and one-way camera that you control from your smartphone.
Your cat will never be bored again.
Unit folds your clothes
Laundroid
Price TBC, out TBC
LOAD before bed and wake to a batch of freshly folded clothes in the morning.
The technology hidden in this big black box is a closely guarded secret, but it is really super easy to use.
Just open a drawer and chuck all your clothes in.
That’s your bit done.
The Laundroid then takes over.
It works out what sort of item each piece of clothing is – then folds each one up into A4 size.
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Shorts tell you where to go
Essential Vibrating Connected Shorts by Spinali Design
From £130, out now
NO need to walk along with your head buried in your phone’s map, these smart shorts and jeans will direct you with subtle vibrations.
Simply link them to your mobile via Bluetooth, set a route and the directions will be sent to your shorts, which tap you on the leg to tell you which way to turn.
Sound system helps sleep
Nightingale Smart Home Sleep System
£250, out February in US, later this year in UK
THIS sound system masks annoying noises – such as snoring or dripping taps – when you sleep by covering the room with relaxing ambient sounds.
Watch monitors sugar levels
K’Track Glucose
£120, out TBC
DIABETICS have to regularly test their blood sugar levels by pricking a needle on their finger tip.
But now this clever smart-watch can do the test without the need to take any blood.
It uses microneedles to monitor skin fluids and gives an accurate – and painless – blood sugar reading.
It also performs simpler functions, such as tracking steps taken and calories burned.
Sports car drives itself
Faraday Future FF91
Price TBC, launch 2018
THE makers of this sleek electric sports car say it can drive itself and go from 0-60mph in just 2.39 seconds.
It also recognises you as you approach and adjusts the seat to your ideal driving position. It can park by itself, too.
Cane cares for your gran
The Smart Cane
Price TBC, out TBC
CREATED by French company Dring, the smart cane is designed to keep an eye on your granny.
If the cane falls over, or is used less often than usual, an automatic alert is sent out to carers and family so they know something might be wrong.
It’s a great idea but the challenge will be getting older folk, who tend to be wary of technology, to use it.
Leaving you more time to drink home brew...
that brews itself
iGulu brewing system
£800, out soon
PICK a recipe for a fancy lager or ale.
Add in a few ingredients and hit the button.
A week later you’ll have your brew – with minimal effort.
Once you have perfected your favourite variety, you can tell others how to make it or choose from thousands of recipes from other users in the iGulu Library.