Every year, CES is the stage for groundbreaking technology, but it's also a showcase for some of the quirkiest gadgets imaginable. From a pinball machine that doubles as a Dungeons & Dragons adventure to a solar-powered cape, CES 2025 did not disappoint in delivering the unusual. Let’s dive into some of the standout oddities that captured our attention this year.
Dungeons, Dragons, and Pinball Unite
Stern Pinball has managed to merge the nostalgic allure of pinball with the fantastical world of Dungeons & Dragons, and they’ve added an intriguing twist—Worf from Star Trek, portrayed by Michael Dorn, acts as your Dungeon Master. This blend of pop culture and gaming comes with a hefty price tag, with the base model starting at $7,000 and the feature-rich limited edition soaring to $13,000. This unique combination surely left many CES attendees both perplexed and enchanted.Cool Drinks and Cute Robots
The Nékojita FuFu, a charming little robot, offers more than just a cute face; it serves a practical purpose by cooling your drinks. Utilizing a specialized "Fu-ing" algorithm, this device can chill a hot beverage significantly within five minutes, demonstrating that innovation can also be adorable and functional.TCL’s AI Rolling Baby Carriage
Another bewildering innovation at CES 2025 was TCL’s AIme—a rolling baby carriage for your AI. This device, resembling a cute alien baby, houses multiple AI modules capable of performing tasks from speech to image recognition. The final module detaches, allowing you to carry your AI companion on the go. Despite its practical applications, the device’s unconventional design left many wondering about its everyday utility.
Anker’s Fashion-Forward Solar Cape
Anker introduced a solar cape that seems more at home on a fashion runway than in consumer tech. Adorned with a neon strip, this cape not only makes a bold style statement but also charges your devices, blending cyberpunk aesthetics with green technology. While its practicality may be limited, it’s a conversation starter that challenges the boundaries of wearable tech.Kirin’s Electric Salt Spoon
In an innovative twist on culinary gadgets, Kirin unveiled the world's first electric salt spoon. This spoon uses a gentle electric current to enhance the salty taste of food without actual salt, catering to those on low-sodium diets. It's a novel approach to health tech, making bland diets more palatable and enjoyable.Other Quirky Highlights
CES 2025 also featured the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable, a laptop that extends from 14 inches to 16.5 inches with the press of a button, and the Alienware Area-51 desktop, a comically large case designed to accommodate ever-growing graphics cards. Not to be overlooked, the Motorbunny’s Fluffer PlayMate Haptic Relay Plug-in and the Roborock Saros Z70 robot vacuum with a mechanical arm for picking up objects showcased how CES is the perfect platform for both practical innovations and wild concepts.