The coolest AI enabled tech and gadgets at CES 2017

Cool AI-enabled gadgets

We expected to see artificial intelligence (AI), home and vehicle automation, smarter devices, augmented and virtual reality, and IoT to dominate at CES 2017. And truth be told it most certainly is not failing to deliver.

In addition to new products in the usual consumer device categories like video game tech, TVs, and audio equipment we’re seeing loads of the new trending technologies being showcased and it’s clear that Christmas is not over at CES 2017. Everything from smart home bots, hacker-fighting routers and wallpaper TVs to super cool Lego Boost robotic kits that teach kids to code, is being shown off at the popular tech event making it super difficult to choose the coolest of them all. That said, here’s a look at some of the top AI enabled tech and gadgets at CES 2017.

Nvidia scores a slam-dunk in AI and autonomous cars

Nvidia CEO and co-founder Jen-Hsun Huang stole the opening CES 2017 keynote straight out of Intel’s pocket this year, stamping convincing authority in the areas of AI and autonomous cars.

For the gamers, Nvidia announced the GeForce Now – a cloud service that enables games to run in the cloud instead of locally on a computer. No more downloading gigantic files. Even gamers with lower spec machines can now have access to top-end PC games with high-end graphics. Fast reliable internet, one minute spent buying the game and you’re set.

In terms of artificial intelligence, Huang served up a double shot of awesome launching the new Shield, Nvidia’s upcoming full 4K and HDR media streaming device harnessing the artificial intelligence of Google Assistant.

Users will now also have additional access to Amazon and Youtube’s 360 video content and better gaming is given with the ability to stream and play games in the cloud via GeForce Now.

To accompany Shield, Huang announced a Wi-Fi-connected peripheral device called Nvidia Spot – an AI microphone that can be placed all around your home allowing you to ask questions about well, everything (this is Google Assistant after all), and control all of the smart devices in your home.

"Jarvis is going to be realized. Mark Zuckerberg built his own Jarvis for his home," Huang said. "But I decided we should build it for all of you." Thanks for that, Jeff.

Expanding the capability of self-driving vehicles was also on the list along with the announcement of some very impressive new partnerships with the likes of Bosch, ZF, and Audi – just to be sure everyone knows that they mean business.

Huang announced that Xavier, an AI Co-Pilot, will use artificial intelligence and deep learning to not only be able to understand the autonomous vehicle’s outside environment but also be able to see and learn from what is going on inside the car.

This groundbreaking new AI tech will be able to see the driver's lips and eye movement to understand what should happen next - and even have the capacity to know if the driver is too angry to be driving on the road. Alongside Audi, Huang has promised that they'll put the world’s most advanced AI car on the road by 2020.

LG goes robotic

LG was always going to launch an awesome TV. And it did. Enter the incredible 77 inches less than 4mm thin W7 OLED TV. As CNET notes, it’s like no TV you’ve ever seen before – pretty much wallpaper that just happens to also be a TV. There’s no AI but something this awesome deserves a mention.

They didn’t only bring along TV, audio, big screens, and super smart fridges this year, though. The company also unveiled its new lineup of intelligent robotic helpers – three delightful robots that can help you around the home, mow your lawn for you, and even guide airport travelers around the airport, answering questions in four different languages.

We’re not simply talking robotic vacuum cleaners here. The Alexa-powered Airbot, for example, provides whatever travel info you need on its large display, scans travel tickets, and even walk you through the terminal if you're lost – amongst a host of other amazing features. Airbot will start helping passengers at South Korea's Incheon airport later this year.

Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence features like facial recognition, and mapping technology, LG's new robotic range really does impress.

A smart toy designed to help children with developmental disabilities

Leka’s new smart toy may look like a little glowing bowling ball but its technology - and purpose - go far deeper.

It's equipped with sensors and a screen and is designed to help children with autism and other developmental disabilities including ADHD and cerebral palsy.

Leka is designed to either be controlled by a caregiver or put into an autonomous state so that kids of any age (and even adults with more severe disabilities) can overcome social barriers and learn to communicate better and progress at their own pace.

An AI-powered digital assistant for kids

Aristotle, by Mattel, is an Echo-like AI digital assistant, aimed at babies and toddlers. Because why should only adults have AI, digital assistants, anyway? Aristotle is equipped with Amazon Alexa and will do everything from playing a lullaby if the baby starts crying to helping them learn their ABCs.

It'll use natural language processing to understand your child's ramblings but what's most cool is how it'll grow and mature with your child. It’ll eventually help with homework and even offer foreign language lessons. Mattel plans to launch Aristotle in June this year.

One more, for the road

BACtrack Skyn is the world’s first wearable alcohol monitor – reinventing the way people track their alcohol consumption. Skyn can either be integrated into an Apple Watch band or worn as a standalone wearable that tracks your alcohol level in near real-time.

It’s easy to forget that that one last drink for the road takes a while to hit your system, but the app will let you know where you’ll be ending up and remind you when to slow down or stop drinking.

Skyn measures the small amounts of alcohol molecules excreted through your skin and uses a proprietary algorithm to calculate your estimated blood alcohol content.

Don’t forget about Clickatell Touch

Have a look at some more cool technology trends from CES 2017 and don't forget about Clickatell Touch which we unveiled at Tech in Asia Jakarta in November 2016. Using artificial intelligence and chatbot technology, Touch bridges the customer service gap replacing outdated support methods and offering an on-demand mobile customer care platform.