Meet The Strange & Interesting Tech Inventions

There’s a lot to marvel at the future of tech, and 2023 has already given us enough to know that there’s more to come. There has already been a lot of talk around Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, 5G Network etc. However, we must not forget that a lot is also happening in the hardware space.

Human beings are always looking for ways to make life easier and have tasks accomplished faster. There are new inventions that see the light of day frequently but with a lot of talk on software, we tend to forget about these inventions.

Here, we’re going to look at what inventions have been brought about in 2023. There’s a lot to be excited about, and a bit weirded out about – too, from colour-changing cars to pillows that breathe and even a self-driving stroller. Not sure that is mom approved. However, we’re highlighting the best of the strangest new tech.

What really gets most people’s gadget glands working are the wackier inventions. These could become the future of tech, or they might never actually see the light of day.

BMW’s Colour-Changing Car

Is an electric car not high-tech enough for you? How about one that can change its finish 100 times a day? The BMW Vision Dee is a concept design with 240 E Ink panels across its bodywork. These can display one of 32 colours each, allowing for some pretty wild designs. BMW will probably never actually sell a car covered in E Ink screens, but this was no computer render. It was shown live on a CES stage.

L’Oreal’s stabilising make-up applicator

Cosmetics have become one of the thematic pillars for online content creators, but make-up tutorials can seem blocked off to those with limited manual dexterity or a shaky grip. L’Oréal has teamed-up with Alphabet’s Verily to make this solution, called Hapta. It’s effectively a gimbal for lipstick that keeps it steady even if the person’s hand is shaking.

Voice-absorbing facemask

Yes, you are probably sick and tired of facemasks by now but this one is very different. The Skyted mask “absorbs” your voice, so no-one nearby can listen in on your phone calls, or hear you swearing as you play Fortnite online. Its maker suggests one of these masks is perfect for those on flights holding business calls. Not our bag, but you can see the mask in action on YouTube. It features some of the same materials used for sound isolation on airplanes.

The laptop-charging bike desk

Working from home can mean your steps go way down and your energy bills go way up. But this could be a solution, if a slightly strange one. The eKinekt BD 3 from Acer is an exercise bike that is also a desk. We’ve seen those before, but this one converts your mid-meeting workouts into electricity that can be used to charge your phone, your laptop — whatever you like — through its three USB ports. With an expected price of £999, the costs might take a while to balance out, mind.

AI baby monitor that knows why the child is crying

There are four reasons babies cry. Well, that’s according to this “AI” baby monitor and night light, called Q-Bear. It uses software trained through 10,000 baby wails and will get to know your own child’s cries as it is used over the days and weeks. What are those four reasons? Hunger, soiled nappy, being tired, or wanting to be comforted, apparently.

Smart toilet that tests your wee

Vivoo’s toilet may not be what comes to mind when the term “smart toilet” is used. It’s not one of those Japanese wonders with a heated seat and massaging water spouts. This is a clip-on urinalysis device that places a test strip in the path of your wee stream. It then tests for “four wellness” parameters and delivers your results to the app within 90 seconds. We might not want to use this every time we head to the loo, but aren’t you a little curious about the magnesium, pH, protein, and sodium content of your urine and — more to the point — what they might mean about your health?

Glüxkind’s self-driving stroller

Parents’ lives may have just gotten a whole lot easier thanks to tech company Glüxkind. They invented the Ella self-driving stroller, a hands-free motorized buggy with built-in sensors that can detect incoming obstacles to ensure the baby’s safety. It can even drive itself without a baby strapped in, so it can follow parents along if the parents decide they’d rather carry their child. It will stop automatically if any obstacles get in the way, as it has cameras built in that are designed to track moving objects like people, bikes, and much more. It also has built-in sounds and flashing lights, so it can alert parents when a potential danger is present. I think many new parents out there will want to get their hands on one of these.

Yukai Engineering’s robot pillow

The Japanese robotics firm Yukai Engineering has invented an incredible pillow that feels like it’s breathing when you hold it. It does this by expanding and contracting slowly and subtly as you’re holding it, which helps train your body to do the same. It is meant to help those with anxiety and high-stress levels calm and feel at ease when needed. I’m sure this will be a super popular invention for people around the world in the new year.