Ahead of the start of CES 2021, which is being held in an online format, outside media outlet SlashGear has detailed notable trends to look out for at the big consumer tech event, which, as SlashGear has mentioned, is going to be overly dominated by technologies used to combat the new crown pandemic. As a result,there was a great deal of tech during CES focused on how to protect people from COVID-19, using tech-heavy masks, germ-killing air purifiers, wearable sensors for checking vitals, and contactless household essentials, to name a few.
With the new crown pandemic affecting people's normal lifestyles, these novel approaches on display tend to focus on getting people's lives back to normal - work means getting out of the house, ultimately making massive gatherings like CES possible in the near future. And what smart technologies are available at CES 2021 to mitigate the spread of COVID-19? Foreign media outlet SlashGear took stock of it.
The LG Autonomous Robot with UV Light
This robot from LG was actually conceived to keep public ****ing places safe and sanitized. Part of LG's CLOi line of robots, the company's autonomous robot will use UV-C light to sanitize "high-touch, high-traffic" areas in schools, hotels, restaurants, and anywhere else you can think of. The LG robot, which will soon be available in the U.S., will potentially meet new hygiene standards by sanitizing touchable surfaces without human intervention.
As a fully autonomous robot, it can move around tables, chairs, and other obstacles. Humans can remotely control and monitor its progress to minimize UV exposure.
Luft Duo air purifier from Luftqi
We've seen a lot of air purifiers, especially during the new crown pandemic, that focus on cleaning indoor air. What happens when you're out on a road trip, for example, traveling by car.Luftqi, on the other hand, offers a solution in the battery-powered Luft Duo - a portable but powerful air purifier that users can take with them wherever they go.Designed to purify the air around the user throughout the day, the Luft Duo replaces more commonly used HEPA filters by packing removable and washable filters and uses UV LEDs and titanium/zinc oxide to trap airborne pathogens, pollen, dust and other impurities.
RAZER Project Hazel mask
RAZER's products have more to do with gaming than offering alternatives to protect humans from viruses. However, Thunderbird unveiled a mask with similar medical protection to the N95 at CES, which is dubbed Project Hazel.Expectedly, the mask is geared primarily toward gamers and features RGB lighting, but it comes with a transparent fa?ade that makes it easier to see the wearer's mouth when they're talking or smiling. Equipped with a rechargeable and removable ventilator and a high Bacteria Filtration Efficiency (BFE) smart pod that regulates airflow and ensures breathability, the waterproof mask also comes with a microphone and amplifier that allows for slight voice amplification for the user.
Ettie Video Doorbell
Thermometers have become a new normal in public ****places, and Ettie brought its first video doorbell product to CES, which takes a guest's temperature before allowing them inside. Additionally, Ettie can provide real-time alerts to a dedicated app on the homeowner's device based on the guest's temperature record. The app also saves temperature readings, arrival times, and photos of the guest in case they need to be contacted later for tracking, etc.
MaskFone
MaskFone is a filtered mask with an integrated Bluetooth headset. This mask's integrated headset and microphone ensures that the user can hear better when talking face-to-face, in addition to ensuring hands-free calls. Equipped with a medical-grade N95 filter, the MaskFone retails for $50 and is currently only available in the color black. More color options may be available soon.
BioButton
The coin-sized BioButton claims to be a cost-effective wearable solution for COVID-19 symptom monitoring. Smartwatches such as the Apple Watch Series 6 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 are now equipped with heart rate monitors and SpO2 oximetry sensors that promise similar functionality. But this new FDA-approved medical-grade wearable device continuously monitors body temperature, heart rate, and respiration, and can be tracked continuously for up to 90 days. The single-use BioButton can more accurately check for early signs of COVID-19, and it's compatible with your mobile device using the BioMobile app for easy setup and vital monitoring.
Kohler Touchless Toilet
Wave your hand and the toilet flushes itself-arguably what every public ****room needs more than a home in 2021. Kohler Co. has been at the forefront of designing touchless toilets, but most of those options have been overpriced. The company now plans to introduce affordable touchless models priced between the $600 and $1,000 price points.
These toilets will feature a motion-sensing lever on the side - circled with customizable LEDs - and the toilet will flush simply by waving over the lever. These Kohler contactless toilets are expected to be available this March. Kohler will also add an affordable Innate Smart Toilet to its new line. This will feature an automatic opening and closing lid, remote control, heated seat and built-in bidet.
AirPop Active+
The AirPop Active+ mask with Halo sensor connects to a specialized app that provides a range of data, including insights into the wearer's breathing habits and the types of pollutants it filters. Priced at a whopping $150, the Halo sensor is placed in a small knob on the front of this fabric mask and is powered by a coin cell battery to ensure it stays connected to Android or iOS devices via Bluetooth. Interestingly, the AirPop app tracks filtration performance and notifies when it's time to change filters.