As human ingenuity has evolved, so have our inventions. While some gadgets address everyday challenges, others… well, they’re just plain bonkers! Let’s embark on a lighthearted exploration of a few peculiar yet fascinating creations that show just how wild and wacky the world of technology can be.
For Those Who Toast to Their Self-Image: The Selfie Toaster
In 2014, the Vermont Novelty Toaster Corp unveiled the selfie toaster. Not merely a device to brown your bread, this gadget gives a whole new meaning to “self-consumption.”
Image credits: the-gadgeteer.com
How it works: After acquiring this gem, you upload your mugshot to their website. Two weeks later, they send you a stainless steel heating insert. Install it in your toaster and, voilà, breakfast now features your face!
Disclaimer: Your image is there to stay, so choose wisely. Anyone munching on toast from your device will be nibbling on your likeness!
A Mosquito’s Worst Nightmare: Bzigo
Tired of those pesky mosquitoes outsmarting you in dim lighting? Bzigo’s here to change the game. This isn’t your usual security camera; it’s the Sherlock Holmes for insect detection.
Image credits: spectrum.ieee.org
With its advanced visual tracking system, Bzigo spots mosquitoes from up to 8 meters away. It employs a near-IR camera and IR illuminators to monitor an entire room. Spot a mosquito, and a harmless laser marks the critter, guiding your noble quest to squash it.
The Ball That Rolls Into Our Hearts: Samsung Ballie
Lonely evenings or just need a helping hand? Enter Samsung Ballie: the AI-driven, ball-shaped robot that’s more than just a pretty face. From rousing you in the morning to tidying up, Ballie promises to be the spherical companion you never knew you needed.
The Hydro-Boosted Harmonies: Shower Power
Shower singers, rejoice! Ampere’s Shower Power is a Bluetooth shower speaker that doesn’t just play tunes. It harnesses the power of water. Turn on the shower, and the music begins. Powered by hydropower, it promises uninterrupted serenades without the fuss of charging.
Image credits: theverge.com
The Lifesaver (When Nature Calls): RollBot
There’s a new savior for those awkward moments when you’re stranded without toilet paper. Meet RollBot, the mobile toilet paper dispenser. With this robot, you might forget the toilet paper, but at least you remembered to bring your phone!
Note: If you’re out of paper and didn’t load up RollBot or forgot your phone, you’re back to square one.
Image credits: abcnews.go.com
While some of these inventions might seem frivolous or over-the-top, they’re a testament to the limitless bounds of human creativity. Do they address the pressing issues of humanity? Or are they mere luxuries? As companies invest fortunes and consumers part with their cash, these quirky gadgets may find their niche.
Ponder on. And until next time, stay curious about the ever-amazing world of science and technology!
References:
- https://petapixel.com/2014/07/18/selfie-toaster-can-burn-portrait-onto-morning-toast/
- https://spectrum.ieee.org/bzigo-laser-system-detects-and-tracks-mosquitoes-so-you-can-destroy-them
- https://techcrunch.com/2020/01/06/meet-ballie-samsungs-rolling-personal-assistant-that-does-stuff/#:~:text=The%20robot%2C%20%E2%80%9Cunderstands%20you%2C,including%20home%20security%20and%20fitness.
- https://www.wired.com/story/shower-power-rave/
- https://whatismyipaddress.com/idiotic-smart-gadget