Some of the gadgets that caused a stir at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona include a see-through laptop from Lenovo and a voice-controlled, impaired language translator.
Tech companies have unveiled an endless array of connected devices at the world’s largest wireless telecommunications show, the four-day Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, which ends on Thursday.
Here are 5 of the highlights:
- First flying car in the world
The working model of what the US company Alef Aeronautics claims to be the first actual flying car was unveiled to the public for the first time.
Jim Dukhovny, the president and CEO of the firm, described it as having a vertical take-off, a car-like driving, and a car-like appearance.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has certified the electric vehicle as special airworthy.
The company plans to begin production of a final version of the prototype by the end of 2025, and it can currently carry two people up to 110 miles (170 kilometers) in total.
For the $300,000 automobile, the business has already received around 3,000 pre-orders.
- A transparent laptop
A 17.3-inch transparent glass laptop screen prototype that provides “a completely borderless and see-through display experience” was unveiled by Chinese manufacturer Lenovo.
It features a touch surface in place of a conventional keyboard, on which keys can be projected, and you can draw on the screen using a special pen. The product’s release date has not been disclosed by the corporation.
You can change the transparency of the screen so that others walking by don’t always be able to see what you’re doing.
“The transparent display was limited to futuristic films and possibly augmented reality eyewear. As far as we can tell, that was just in the past, “Aiguo Zheng, executive director of Lenovo, stated.
- The robotic dog
Chinese company Tecno Mobile unveiled a German Shepherd-inspired robotic dog that can follow voice orders and carry out realistic gestures like bowing, shaking hands, and climbing stairs thanks to artificial intelligence (AI) and potent sensors.
The “Dynamic 1” robot, which is capable of being operated via smartphone apps, promises to bring about the “joy of pet ownership” without any of the inconveniences.
- AI-enabled companion doll
Hyodol looks just like a kid’s doll, with its brown hair, floral top, and cloth body. However, Hyodol, which is produced by the same-named South Korean business, is targeted toward seniors.
Fully equipped with sensors and AI-powered microprocessors, it can play music, send voice reminders to seniors to take their medications, and alert the user’s guardian if it doesn’t move for a predetermined amount of time.
The doll, which is 14 inches (35 centimeters) tall, can talk in response to touch and may be programmed to speak during specific periods, such as during mealtimes.
“We are committed to empowering seniors to live independently while staying connected with their community and loved ones,” the business stated.
- Voice converter for impaired speech
Whispp, a Dutch startup, showcased a calling software that employs Artificial Intelligence (AI) to seamlessly blend speech impairments caused by ailments like stroke, throat cancer, or stuttering with the user’s normal voice in real-time.
The software enables users to converse naturally and sound like their own healthy voice while conversing with anyone on their phone or laptop, in contrast to existing voice dysfunction solutions that translate speech to text.
Whispp co-founder and CEO Joris Castermans stated, “We are really helping people who lost their voice get their voice back.” He also expressed optimism that the software will eventually be available on all devices “to make this a more inclusive world.”
