Our Top 5 Favourite Gadgets from CES 2011

Alright gang, CES 2011 has passed. It came as fast as it went in a whirlwind of hustle, bustle, and brain-muscle. The InteraXon team had no trouble keeping busy between demoing two new products of our own, and surveying approximately two million new products from a sea of other tech companies. (Oh, FYI—word on the street is, the future is now!) Our team members returned home bearing insight into their favourite technological highlights of CES 2011:

1. Pleo Dinosaur

A robotic baby dinosaur bestowed with artificial intelligence that allows it to experience fatigue, hunger, and even emotions. Some lyrics from the Pleo Song I think really sum it up: “Tiny spark of light / A little bit of joy / A baby dino made into a toy for every girl and boy.” Enough said.

2. Thought-Controlled Robotic Legs

Cyberdyne’s HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb) is a robotic exoskeleton fitted for human legs and is controllable by thought. It was designed to assist those with walking difficulties, such as the elderly and paraplegics. I don’t know what’s cooler—that this piece of technology can help people overcome physical challenges, or that Cyberdyne’s name is derived from the fictional company in Terminator?

3. Greensound Glass Speakers

These ultra-modern looking speakers designed and manufactured by Greensound Technology are almost entirely constructed from glass. The sound originates from the base of the speakers, and resonates through the glass. Low tones project from the bottom, and high tones from the top. If you’re looking for some eye-catching speakers to smarten up your distastefully last-season yacht parties, consider investing in these gems.

4. Brain Athlete Golf Trainer

Brain Athlete is a golf visor adorned with three NeuroSky EEG sensors that pick up your brainwaves and transmit them via Bluetooth to a computer. The information is then used to help improve your game by giving you insight into your levels of relaxation and concentration. A worthwhile investment for anyone serious about their swing—After all, they say golf is 90% mental.

5. Mindflex Duel

Mattel gave a sneak peek of their latest version of the popular MindFlex game made with NeuroSky technology. It takes the original game design, and pits you against a friend (or foe) for a true battle of brains. You wear an EEG headset, and concentrate to move a ball along a course, with the goal being to get it to your opponent’s side first. The release date is set for August 2011, and will cost you $99.