Before the largest trade show, CES 2025, in the world takes place, it is a tradition of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) to unveil its choices for the CES Innovation Award Best of Innovation and Honoree list.
This year at CES 2025, the largest trend will be the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into, well, everything as companies gear up to include generative AI in phones, devices, computers, vehicles and more. While there will be some way far into the future prototypes — much like every year — there will also be very practical devices and gadgets that will allow for new ways of doing business.
Here is a look at 10 of the most interesting devices to be honored by the CTA with a CES Innovation Award.
Source: EcoPeace
1) Healing Boat
Receiving an Innovation Award in the smart cities category, EcoPeace’s Healing Boat is a robotic boat that is designed to address pollution issues. It also is used for leisure activities on the water.
The boat removes green algae from water, which poses threats to animals and humans. The boat is autonomous and navigates a variety of water environments. It could potentially be used to explore ecosystems indirectly as well as contribute to water resource conservation.
Source: Zeiss Microoptics
2) Holographic Transparent Camera
Zeiss Microoptics’ is an Innovation Award honoree for its Holographic Transparent Camera for automobiles. The camera allows automotive OEMs to no longer use traditional camera devices in exchange for its HoloCam that allows for imaging and eye-tracking capabilities into a windshield or other window.
Source: Ceragem
3) Neuro Wellness Enhancer
Turning to healthcare, Ceragem Co. claims its Neuro Wellness Enhance is the world’s first medically approved home device to improve depression symptoms. The device features:
- Non-invasive micro direct current stimulation
- Balanced brain activity
- Enhanced brain function
The company said it has a 62.8% remission rate over six weeks and can be controlled via a mobile app. The device could provide an alternative to traditional antidepressants with minimal side effects.
Source: Midbar
4) AirFarm Food Ark
The Food Ark from Midbar Co. is an air inflated smart farm that can be constructed anywhere and at any time. The ark uses technology that converts water vapor into water and recirculates the water back to the crops.
The water is sprayed directly into the roots, which reduces 99% of water use compared to conventional farming and 90% compared to existing smart farms, Midbar said. Additionally, the AirFarm takes just one day from full installation to cultivation. It could enable sustainable farms in desert areas or densely populated cities where food cultivation is impossible.
Source: Kubota
5) KATR
The KATR is a four-wheeled robot from Kubota North America. The robot is designed for agriculture or construction where it can go off-road and remain on a stable platform even on hills or slopes.
The robot has a capacity of 250 kilograms and can be controlled via a remote or onboard controller. KATR won a Best of Innovation award for the Industrial Equipment and Machinery category.
Source: Haply Robotics
6) minVerse
The metaverse is still alive and companies are still making advances for online technology. Haply Robotics minVerse is a haptic device that is designed to elevate metaverse interactions.
The device offers 3D touch with realistic tactile feedback. This allows a user to interact with virtual environments with accuracy. It is small enough to be handheld and has a quick-change handle to swap accessories for specific tasks.
Source: Mixi
7) Conversational AI robot Romi
Now there may not be a good history for social robots in the consumer segment, it isn’t stopping companies from trying. Hence Mixi Inc.’s Romi, a social robot that is designed for emotional support that includes AI. The robot can:
- Hold complex, real-time conversations
- Use gestures and facial expressions
- Humanize what it “sees” and “hears”
- Offer emotional support advice
Source: Human in Motion Robotics
8) XoMotion
Exoskeletons have made significant progress over the years particularly for industrial and warehouse sectors where lifting heavy objects requires many employees to use their bodies in various ways. These exoskeletons allow humans to lift and carry more without hurting a body part or limb.
Human in Motion Robotics’ XoMotion exoskeleton, however, is designed for the healthcare industry for those with mobility impairments like spinal cord injuries, stroke and other neurological conditions where walking and standing are problematic.
The lower-limb medical device offers multi-directional locomotion support through self-balancing and hands-free functionality.
Source: TactoTek
9) Intelligent Illuminated Door Panel
The automotive door panel from TactoTek uses surface light technology that outperforms traditional PCBA electronics and organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). The door panel is used for both interior and exterior applications.
The technology allows for ambient lighting and integrates vehicle sensors to enhance situational awareness, the company said. It uses high illumination with a few LEDs integrated inside the structure of the panel.
Source: MSI Computer Corp.
10) Aegis RS2 AI
Not surprisingly, the rise in AI PCs is becoming a large trend in the computing segment. AI PCs are forecast to quadruple by 2028 to reach 60% of total PC sales, according to data by Statista and Canlays.
Because of this, MSI Computer Corp. is an honoree at the CES Innovation Awards for its Aegis RS2 AI PC. The PC contains Nvidia graphics and an NPU-driven Intel CPU while having generative AI services on the computer directly to help with games, optimize settings, learn about issues with the PC and more.
Best of innovation
Here is the list of the winners of the Best of Innovation from CES 2025:
- Accessibility and AgeTech: Bio Leg by BionicM Inc.
- Artificial Intelligence: booxtory by Woongjin Thinkbig
- Audio/Video Components and Accessories: Sony BRAVIA Theater Quad Wireless Speaker System by Sony Electronics Inc.
- Computer Peripherals and Accessories: HP Z Captis by HP Inc.
- Cybersecurity: ScamVanguard by SK Telecom
- Digital Health: TD Square, Tinnitus Digital Treatment Device by Hanyang University Playlab
- Drones: Station for drone first responder by Nearthlab
- Embedded Technologies: Q-Vision Pro: Safe, Fast On-Device AI for Crime Prevention by Suprema AI
- Fashion Tech: Osmotex: Active Electroosmotic Membrane Jackets by Myant Corp.
- FinTech: On-Device biometric payment solution by GHOSTPASS Inc.
- Headphones and Personal Audio: Galaxy Buds3 Pro by Samsung Electronics America
- Industrial Equipment and Machinery: KATR by Kubota Tractor Corp
- In-Vehicle Entertainment: On-Demand Automotive Infotainment Center by Corning, Incorporated and CarUX
- Metaverse: minVerse by Haply Robotics
- Mobile Devices, Accessories and Apps: inReach Messenger Plus by Garmin
- Robotics: Hypershell Carbon X by Hypershell Co., Ltd.
- Sustainability and Energy/Power: Faraday Reactor by Vvater
- Vehicle Tech and Advanced Mobility: Holographic Transparent Camera by ZEISS Microoptics
- XR Technologies and Accessories: Sony XR Head-Mounted Display SRH-S1 by Sony Corporation
The CES Innovation Awards are chosen from submissions to the CTA. This year, 3,400 submissions were received, an uptick of 13% from last year. The awards are given to those designs and engineering in technology that tackle global challenges and drive change, the CTA said,
CES 2025 takes place Jan. 7-10, 2025, in Las Vegas.
