It wasn't that long ago that the Consumer Electronics Show was all about flat-screen televisions. Now, if a device doesn't promise to pay your taxes while it vacuums your floor, it's unlikely to register. As the massive trade show wrapped up in Las Vegas last week, it was clear that AI-powered products – particularly for the home – were the focus.
From improved cleaning robots to more kitchen appliance technology than even the most anally reticent homeowner could imagine, CES 2025 upped the ante. Many of the new introductions – and it should be noted that, given the history of a fair number of them, will never make it into production, let alone homes – they used artificial intelligence, whether it was needed or not.
If this reminds you of the early days of the show, when all new products had internet connections that served little to no useful purpose, it's probably not a coincidence. AI is still in its infancy, as companies figure out what impact it will have on their products — and American consumers decide whether the price is worth it.
Time will tell. For now, here are some of the highlights of the show.
Next generation vacuum cleaner
Robotic vacuum cleaners were the first generation of technological household products, and further development continues. One came from Eufy, which introduced its Combo E-20 model with multiple attachments, automatic trash can disposal and 180 minutes of runtime. Elsewhere in the fully automated vacuum realm, the Roborock Saros Z70 features a five-axis mechanical arm that can grab items from the floor – we're thinking dirty socks – and place them in a designated container. A new vacuum cleaner, Dreame's X50 Ultra, could hit a record price of $1,700. The device goes up and down in small steps, can be operated via voice control and appears to have the suction power of a jet engine.
SMARTER KITCHENS
Kitchen appliance manufacturers are doing their best to speed up, simplify and improve the food preparation process. Samsung, which has been showing off video-adorned refrigerators for years, introduced a new model called Bespoke that features a 32-inch “Family Hub” with a video screen that automatically syncs with Instacart shopping lists. Home cooks — and those watching their sodium intake — should take note of Japanese beer company Kirin's electric salt spoon, which reportedly uses electrical currents to “boost” the salt already in food to make it taste more palatable. The device costs around $125 and is already available in Japan. And finally, Copper, a company that uses advanced battery technology, showed off battery-powered devices, including an induction cooker that supposedly works even during power outages.
BIOTECH INNOVATIONS
Health and fitness products were widely available, ranging from disposable items such as smart rings that measure body functions (heart rate, blood oxygen, exercise, sleep) to complete portable clinics for use in rural areas that may not have access to more traditional healthcare facilities. Myant, a Canadian company, introduced a line of “smart textiles” that track all sorts of health metrics using tiny sensors built into the fibers. And for the skincare conscious, Samsung introduced an AI-powered beauty mirror that scans facial features and provides personalized treatment recommendations.
AI AT YOUR LEISURE
Not to be forgotten were features aimed at pet owners, gamers, gardeners and more. Petkit showed off the Purobot Ultra litter box, which supposedly uses animal facial recognition to track who is doing what and when. The retail price is – get ready – $899, and you can even pay a $12 monthly subscription for videos of what's happening. Gamers might be intrigued by Razer's new Project Arielle gaming chair, which can expel hot or cold air so you're always at the right temperature while playing Fortnite. And for the green thumbs among us, LG showed a prototype of a new LED lamp that features a garden level with a plant tray and integrated irrigation system.
Undoubtedly, each of the over 140,000 people who attended CES this year found their new favorite product among the exhibits. How many American consumers will find the same products in stores in the future is another question entirely.
____________
Warren Shoulberg is the former editor-in-chief of several leading B2B publications. He was a visiting professor at Columbia University Graduate School of Business; received awards from the International Furnishings and Design Association and the Fashion Institute of Technology; and quoted by The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN and other media as a leading industry expert. His Retail Watch columns provide deep industry insights into key markets and product categories.