Future conversations

In Las Vegas, anything is possible, even futuristic technology coming to life. As it does every year, the city hosted CES, or the Consumer Electronics Show, where the latest innovations are showcased. Many of the products never make it to shops, while others go on to become integral to everyday life. Here are some of the most interesting things t2oS came across.

Only the lonely

Nobody knows exactly what triggers loneliness: the loss of a friend, a move to a new city, or a series of health crises. It is little wonder that the paintings of Edward Hopper capture the modern emotional state better than those of most artists.

As loneliness steadily chips away at physical and mental health, a growing technology industry is attempting to fill the void. At Consumer Electronics Show, Lovense’s companion robot doll offered a glimpse into the possibilities — and complications — of this evolving category.

The life-size doll — call her Emily or Samantha, a nod you are free to take from the film Her — has three qualities that would have seemed almost unimaginable 15 years ago, when the idea of sex dolls becoming mainstream was largely speculative.

First, the doll features a realistic silicone body with limited facial movement. Although it was mounted against a wall at CES, short demonstrations hinted at the level of physical realism on offer.

More intriguing is the way the doll connects to the wider Lovense ecosystem of devices via Bluetooth, integrating physical presence with the company’s existing product range.

The third element is where things truly become interesting. The doll can remember past conversations and adapt its personality over time, introducing a form of continuity that moves beyond scripted responses.

Singapore-based Lovense has been in operation since 2010 and is best known for its remotely controlled sex toys. By blending physical embodiment with artificial intelligence, this new product pushes the idea of companionship beyond virtual avatars confined to screens.

A machine priced between $4,000 and $8,000 is unlikely to attract millions of buyers. Still, it is certain to generate curiosity when shipments begin in 2027. The long-term purpose of such a device remains unclear, as does its broader social impact.

One thing, however, is beyond doubt: loneliness is here to stay. Those experiencing isolation or emotional distress should seek support from healthcare professionals. Addressing loneliness and social isolation will be one of the defining challenges of this generation. Companion machines may offer temporary relief, but they are unlikely to be the moonshot solution. The culture that produces loneliness, rather than the lonely themselves, ultimately demands examination.

Reliving pressure

Ear infections are common among children. In the US, some 700,000 have ear tube surgery each year. Parents are often told that if fluid in the middle ear lingered long after treatment of an ear infection it could impair hearing and cause lasting developmental abnormalities.

Earflo has a simple alternative. As kids swallow water, which naturally opens the ear tube leading to where fluid is trapped, Earflo puffs air to help release the fluid. This helps open the tiny passage between the ear and the back of the nose, called the eustachian tube. As the tube opens, trapped fluid can flow out of the ear, relieving pressure.

The device has been developed by biomedical engineers and ENT specialists to offer a safe, at-home solution for treating negative middle ear pressure.

Unlike existing non-invasive devices that require complex coordination from parents and children, Earflo streamlines the process, making it both practical and comfortable even for children as young as two.

Designed around the real-world needs of children and families, the device disguises therapy as everyday drinking through its sippy-cup form factor and game-based companion app, transforming treatment into play.

Pop goes the lollipop

Music has a taste — or so CES proved. Lollipop Star has unveiled a candy that plays music while you eat it. That’s right: it uses “bone induction technology” that allows you to hear songs — including tracks from Ice Spice and Akon — through the lollipop as you lick or bite it.

The musical lollipops will go on sale after CES on Lollipop Star’s website, priced at $8.99 each.

Similar products have appeared on the market before, such as Lollitune and TastySounds, but this one appears to be the first to partner with mainstream artists for its song selection. At launch, buyers can choose from three flavours and artists: Blue Paradise featuring Akon’s Beautiful Day; White Peach and Strawberry featuring Ice Spice’s Munch, Baddie Baddie, and Big Guy; and Lime Sea Salt featuring Armani White’s Mount Pleasant.

Climbing vacuum cleaner

Robot vacuum cleaners cannot climb the stairs, and are depending on humans to move them between floors. The problem has been addressed by Roborock, and the new Saros rover model. Its “two wheel leg architecture” mimics human legs with independent movement, even being able to make small jumps and execute fast directional changes.

At a software level, Saros Rover harnesses the power of Artificial Intelligence algorithms, in conjunction with complex motion sensors and 3D spatial information to understand its environment and make its wheel-legs react with precision.

The Saros Rover excels in multi-storey homes, where it is able to clean each one of the steps of a staircase as it goes to the second floor, dramatically reducing “no-go” zones and transitioning into cleaning areas previously inaccessible for homes with a single robovac.

Let the robot cook

It may still sound like a Jetsons-like scenario in which Rosey the robot does all the cooking, but one of the fastest-growing tech segments in some countries is automated cooking. There are now plenty of options designed to make cooking easier, and they go far beyond simply stirring ingredients in a pot.

Nosh is one of the emerging faces of this category. You load the ingredients into the unit and Nosh assembles them for you. Unlike its rivals, however, it features more than one ingredient tray, allowing you to prepare multiple meals at the same time.

Nosh uses a built-in camera and advanced AI to determine precisely when each ingredient is cooked to perfection, before automatically moving on to the next step. You can also command it to cook from anywhere via its app — provided the ingredient trays are prepared in advance. Additionally, each recipe on Nosh can be tailored to suit personal preferences.

The machine can handle over 500 dishes across cuisines including American, Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Thai, Indian, Korean, Pan-Asian and more, with new recipes added every week. To ensure ingredients are cooked correctly, the built-in camera continuously monitors heating and stirring inside the unit.

After six years of research and development, Nosh is now being used by more than 1,000 families, who have collectively cooked over 25,000 meals since its launch last year.

“Even though we are early in our journey, the response and support we have received from creators have been phenomenal, with videos crossing six million and 35 million organic views, showing how the idea of an AI-powered robo-chef sparks curiosity and shareability,” says Amit Gupta, co-founder of Nosh Robotics.

The device can also customise the cooking process, such as reducing sodium levels or adjusting spice intensity. The unit measures around 16 inches in height and approximately 22 inches in width.

Sharp vibrations

Let the kitchen knife vibrate to make chopping more consistent. The cutlery start-up Seattle Ultrasonics’ C-200 UltraSonic Chef’s Knife features an orange button on its handle. Press it, and the steel blade vibrates around 30,000 times per second.

When activated, the vibration allows you to slice through vegetables and other foods more smoothly than with a regular knife. It also prevents crumbs from clinging to the blade. The gadget — and it really is one — has been showcased at CES and, according to the company, does not need sharpening as often as conventional knives.

You cannot see the blade move, you cannot hear it when it is switched on, and you cannot feel any vibration through the handle. Made from Japanese AUS-10 steel hardened to 60 HRC, it remains an effective knife even when the ultrasonic function is turned off.

The removable 1,100mAh lithium-ion battery pack charges via USB-C, and the knife carries an IP65 water-resistance rating. A wireless charging tile (sold separately) keeps the battery topped up so the knife is always ready for use. Milled from solid mahogany, the tile also protects the blade edge when not in use.

It can sit on a countertop, be stored in a drawer, or mounted on a wall — with no cords and no drilling required.

Weighing 328g, the C-200 is lighter than it appears. Rounded edges on both the handle and the spine make it comfortable for extended use. The company recommends hand-washing, quick drying, and charging the battery away from the sink.

The C-200 has been six years in the making, and Seattle Ultrasonics claims it is the first ultrasonic knife designed specifically for home use. To keep the knife compact, the circuit board had to be folded within the handle itself.

The first production run of the C-200 has already sold out and will begin shipping later this month. A second batch of reservations is now live on the Seattle Ultrasonics website ahead of a March release. Pricing is set at $399 for the knife alone, or $499 when bundled with the wireless mahogany charging tile.

No-screen zone for children

There is a growing wave in the tech world focused on delivering products designed to keep children safe. One such product comes from Nodi, showcased at CES 2026. The Nodi Flip is designed specifically for children aged five to 12.

The Nodi Flip is neither a smartphone nor a tablet. Instead, it focuses entirely on audio. Children can listen to music and audiobooks via Spotify Connect streaming, as well as content from the company’s own Nodi Library, which includes offline material. The device features built-in storage (16GB), allowing audiobooks and learning content to be accessed even without an Internet connection.

Two versions of the device are available. The Wi-Fi model works much like a tablet, operating at home or via a hotspot, while still offering offline content anywhere. The Wi-Fi + LTE version functions more like a smartphone, featuring a built-in eSIM or nano-SIM slot that enables messaging and Spotify streaming on the move.

Crucially, the device avoids the usual digital distractions. There is no browser, no video playback and no endless scrolling — just audio content, voice messages, curiosity and peace of mind.

Voice messaging is supported, but with a carefully considered twist. Messages do not rely on traditional phone numbers or mainstream messaging platforms. Instead, they are exchanged directly between Nodi Flip devices and the Nodi app, available on iOS and Android. Through the parent app, adults can manage contacts and decide exactly who their child is allowed to communicate with. Children can send and receive voice messages only from users who have a Nodi Flip or the Nodi app installed, and only with parental permission.

Behind the company is a group of parents who love technology but also question its impact. “We grew up in a world before smartphones, before constant notifications and before infinite scrolling. And we wonder how growing up today, surrounded by screens from the very beginning, will shape the next generation,” the founders say on the company’s website.

“Technology is incredible. It connects, teaches and entertains. But for children, it can also reduce attention spans and curiosity, replacing the unstructured play and deep focus that help young minds grow. We believe one of the biggest challenges of our time is ensuring that children become thinkers, not just consumers of technology.”

Forget the stinker

The German tech company Bellaria is tackling a problem most people prefer to avoid discussing in public: bathroom odours. Its solution, called the Air Cube, is a compact device designed to neutralise smells directly at the toilet, rather than masking them once they have spread through the room.

The Air Cube attaches to the toilet seat and begins air purification during use. According to the company, odours are extracted from the bowl before they disperse into the bathroom, addressing the smell at its point of origin. The system targets both faeces and urine odours, using ion-based oxidation to break down odour and dirt molecules rather than covering them with fragrances.

At the core of the Air Cube are integrated fans that draw air at a rate of 20 cubic feet (around 566 litres) per minute. The fans are mounted vertically to the airflow, a design intended to reduce resistance and operating noise. Bellaria claims the device operates at 15.5 decibels, placing it among the quietest bathroom air-treatment products currently available.

The company draws a clear distinction between odour neutralisation and odour masking. Traditional air fresheners rely on chemical scents to cover unpleasant smells, whereas the Air Cube uses a built-in filter to split odour molecules and eliminate the source. The neutralisation process is designed to operate autonomously, without the need for additional sprays or fragrances.

Installation is straightforward, with the device designed to fit most standard toilets and toilet bowls. Because it does not interfere with the inner flushing rim, rimless toilets and those with soft-close seats are particularly well suited. The Air Cube is not compatible with Turkish or Afghan toilets, or with sanitary fixtures of a similar design.

Get the music party started

So what if you don’t know how to play the piano? That shouldn’t stand in the way of making music like Ed Sheeran or Elton John. PartyKeys aims to lower that barrier with a new take on multiplayer music-making.

PartyKeys is a compact, light-guided keyboard designed to connect seamlessly to a dedicated speaker. Pairing is as simple as a tap — much like sharing files between iPhones — thanks to NFC. Users tap PartyKeys to PartyStudio, select a song, and follow illuminated chord patterns to start playing immediately.

When a second player joins, PartyStudio automatically assigns a complementary musical role such as bass, harmony, or rhythm. The result is instant collaboration, with both players creating real music together using chord-based structures that unlock entire song catalogues.

Demonstrating the process was Bohan Zhang, founder of PopuMusic Global, the company behind PartyKeys. The idea, he explains, is simplicity: with just four chords, users can play thousands of songs. The system combines light-guided keyboards with a wireless MIDI synth speaker, while PartyStudio coordinates tempo, arrangement, and individual parts across up to four connected devices.

Complete beginners can be playing popular songs together within minutes. During the demo, Zhang even broke into a rendition of Someone Like You, underscoring just how accessible the platform is.

As users grow more confident, they can add extra keyboards and expand the setup. The speaker then takes over beat delivery, turning a simple jam into a fuller performance. Importantly, PartyKeys is already available to buy.

PartyStudio supports up to three MIDI devices wirelessly via BLE MIDI with a 10-metre range, alongside an additional wired connection. It offers 128 instrument tones, more than 50 drum patterns, 70W audio output, and up to eight hours of battery life with USB-C fast charging. It also works with any standard MIDI keyboard or controller.

Positioned between learning apps such as Simply Piano and rhythm games like Guitar Hero or Rock Band, PartyKeys creates a new middle ground. Users play real MIDI instruments and follow light-guided chords, bypassing sheet music and solitary practice in favour of immediate, social music-making.

Mask important conversations

There are some conversations that need to be had immediately, in public spaces, even if they involve sensitive information. This is where Verne Technologies’ WearPhone — a “voice AI wearable” — comes in.

The Japanese start-up has developed a noise-cancelling mask designed to keep AI-powered voice conversations private. WearPhone muffles your voice by 10 to 20 decibels, ensuring that people around you cannot hear what you are saying.

At first glance, the product resembles the face masks many of us became accustomed to during the Covid pandemic, albeit with some notable differences. It is a sturdy device worn over the mouth, with a built-in microphone that connects to your phone. Once switched on, your voice is automatically muffled.

While wearing the mask, WearPhone allows users to interface with and speak to various chatbots, effectively functioning as a peripheral for voice input. Although the product is still under development, it is expected to feature both active noise cancellation and physical soundproofing.

According to the company, “WearPhone is a wearable device that reduces sound leakage, allowing you to make calls and use AI voice input with peace of mind, even in open spaces. Its unique AI technology enables voice communication regardless of location — from phone calls and meetings to conversations with AI.”

To demonstrate voice-leakage reduction and call clarity, Verne staff wore a technical demo unit — attendees were not permitted to try it themselves — and conducted side-by-side comparisons. A nearby microphone captured the difference, with the results visualised on a large monitor.

Verne Technologies plans to sell WearPhone in June or July and has already opened a waitlist for interested buyers. The company is also considering a monthly subscription that would use AI to enhance the mask’s speech-recognition capabilities, although this has not yet been confirmed. Early-access pricing is set at $450 and is fully refundable at any time before the product ships.