[imagesource: Acer]

Dubbed ‘the most influential tech event in the world’, CES 2023 has given us a glimpse into the future of tech companies with seemingly unlimited budgets.

Although this year revealed some truly inspiring ideas, there were a couple of instances that left most attendees scratching their heads.

As covered by CNET, topping the list of “WHY?” ideas, was The Mutalk, by Shiftall.

Resembling a router strapped to your mouth with a gimp ball, the Mutalk was designed as a way of having private conversations without the need to remove oneself from company.

Touted as the answer to private phone calls in crowded places and shared office spaces, the device has a sound-absorbing Bluetooth microphone that cancels out any ambient noise and makes quiet conversation easier.

Behold:

Yep, that is a thing, #Mutalk @panasonic #MetaVerse pic.twitter.com/8TUCaYrS7i

— Derek Collins ☘️ (@dcollinshk) January 10, 2023

How having a box strapped over your mouth makes conversation easier is perhaps a question only the nerdiest among us could answer.

Have a look at the video below and then decide whether a plastic bucket over your head might still be a better option.

Not to be outdone in creating strange dystopian gadgets, Acer designers have unveiled the eKinekt BD 3.

Designed to generate electricity through pedal power, the desk incorporates a stationary bicycle design that uses kinetic energy to power your laptop or other smart devices as you work:

At #CES2023, Acer introduced a hybrid exercise bike/desk to promote health and sustainability called the eKinekt BD 3…

pic.twitter.com/KHFTVr4401

— Tansu YEĞEN (@TansuYegen) January 4, 2023

The idea has merit if you are willing to huff and puff your way to populating an excel spreadsheet, but we could perhaps see a better use in allowing our kids to charge their devices on the eKinekt.

You know, pedal time = screen time.

Perhaps Eskom can even incorporate this into their performance remuneration for executives.

Other honourable mentions include the Withings U-Scan, which is a toilet sensor that reads your pee, and the Ring Car Cam, which brings Amazon’s home security camera subsidiary into the dashcam business:

Introducing a game changer in home health: Introducing U-Scan. https://t.co/zuBAWPinQA #CES2023 pic.twitter.com/1X5dsnhHR7

— Withings (@Withings) January 4, 2023

Technology has changed the world forever, and in most cases, this has been for the betterment of humanity.

But every now and again, we have to remind tech companies that just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

[source:cnet]