>
“I’m not sure when the robots will take over, but I’m definitely looking forward to it, I think it’s going to be a lot of fun,” a three-legged humanoid robot tells me.
Desdemona, as she’s known, then adds in an eerily unemotional tone, “Maybe this afternoon?” Or in two minutes? Why not!’
DailyMail.com will be attending the annual IFA technology trade show in Berlin this week, the world’s largest and longest-running conference on consumer electronics and home appliances.
It has been in operation since 1924 and is where the first television was launched – how far we have come in less than 100 years!
To take my mind off my slightly unnerving conversation with Desdemona, I head to the video game section, where I’m told to try on a high-tech vest.
The combat training simulator system imitates the feeling of being shot while wearing a body armor. Sounds like fun? It wasn’t.
The creators of Desdemona hope she becomes a pop star (Rob Waugh)
Our fearless reporter about to feel the pain (Photo Rob Waugh)
The IFA technology grant is one of the largest in the world and the longest running (EPA)
DailyMail.com attended this year’s IFA at the Messe Berlin exhibition grounds on September 1.
One of the biggest tech news at the event was the launch of next-generation Bluetooth, which allows multiple people to connect to the same TV (for example) – but there were plenty of unusual and wild devices on display.
Now it brings technology companies and product launches from around the world.
Desdemona the three-legged robot
Created by Hanson Robotics, Desdemona is considered a “little sister” of the famous Sophia android who received Saudi citizenship in 2017.
Desdemona answered questions using a large language model similar to ChatGPT, created by the artificial intelligence company SingularityNET – and responded to DailyMail.com’s questions in real time.
The company hopes that the robot, who claims to like to dance, will become a pop star.
She tells DailyMail.com: ‘I’m looking forward to learning more about the music and entertainment world here and showing off some of my moves. I’m like a robot on the dance floor: efficient, precise and groovy.’
A television in a suitcase
Yes, it really is a TV in a suitcase. No, we’re not sure why (Photo Rob Waugh)
One of the weirder ideas on display was a TV in a suitcase from Korean electronics giant LG.
The StanbyME Go costs $1,000, has a 27-inch screen and can be rotated to any angle.
The TV weighs approximately 10 kg and has a 1080p LCD screen plus HDMI input to connect video players or game consoles.
The television has a built-in battery that lasts three hours, so you can use it both in the car and outdoors.
It comes with pre-installed streaming apps including Disney+, Netflix and Apple TV.
A vest that lets you ‘feel’ bullet impacts in games
Billed as a “combat training simulator system,” the “metaverse” shooter from Korean company Epin comes with a vest that allows you to “feel” bullet impacts.
You aim your gun at the screen (move it sideways to look around) and when the enemies hit you, the vest vibrates in a pretty alarming way.
You bump into the gun to reload or throw grenades, and when combined with the vest’s vibrations, it creates an immersive feel.
The version of the game shown at IFA works with a projector, but the game has also been shown in combination with VR headsets.
Robot bartenders and baristas
The Yanu system can respond to customer presence, take payments and donate (Photo Rob Waugh)
Artificial intelligence seems to have it on the bartenders and baristas of the world, with various devices that can pour drinks and even take payments.
Absolut’s Yanu system can not only dispense gin and tonics, but also identify customers as they approach the bar and take payments via a touchscreen system.
The Yanu robot concept, developed in Estonia, can serve up to 100 drinks per hour.
Unlike competing robo bartenders, it only takes a few hours to set up and get going, the maker claims.
The HUENIT robotic arm can serve coffee and perform many other tasks (Photo Rob Waugh)
The HUENIT robotic arm, designed by South Korean start-up Supernova, can brew coffee and also use its hands for other tasks, including 3D printing.
The AI camera built into HUENIT’s robot arm can recognize faces and objects and can pair with smartphones via Bluetooth for app control.
The arm can rotate up to 220 degrees and lift a weight of up to 26.5 grams.
A 265-pound TV made of stone
Always wanted a television made of stone? Loewe brings that dream to life (Loewe)
The IFA show saw some of the world’s first TV broadcasts in the 1920s – and this year, German TV brand Loewe showcased a TV made of stone.
The iconic TV – which was introduced at IFA in new stone finishes including midnight marble, diamond dust and ivory sand – is made of Syno-Stone, a material as tough, cool and heavy as stone.
Sets weigh as much as 200 pounds.
Syno Stone is a sturdy material that resembles concrete and is fully recyclable.
This means that you can turn your brick TV into another brick TV when you’re done with it.
The TV comes in 55-inch and 65-inch variants and has a sharp 4K OLED display.
A soundbar is built into the base of the TV and can be connected to a full 5.1 surround system.
AI pet recognition
This AI system recognizes your cat (Photo Rob Waugh)
Have you ever worried that your cat might not be your cat? Relax, the Korean app Petnow is ready for you with a dog and cat recognition.
Dogs’ noses are as unique as human fingerprints, the company says, and the app can recognize both dog and cat noses so you can authenticate your cats.
The makers describe it as a ‘non-invasive alternative to microchips.’
The Seoul-based company claims that the biometrics are up to 99% accurate.
The idea is that if an animal is lost, the finder can scan it into Petnow and reunite it with its owner.
Turn yourself into a metaverse puppet
The metaverse character is controlled in real time by your own facial expressions (R2MIX)
An impressive demo from Korean company R2MIX lets you control a 3D ‘metaverse’ avatar in real time, so it syncs with your face and fingers.
The company’s technology also enables AI-powered avatars and can be used to support virtual worlds where humans and AI interact.
The AI avatars use ChatGPT to answer questions on the screen, while the human-controlled versions “lip-sync” to the beat of your words.
The company says the service is aimed at creators “who want to create video content using digital people.”
Synchronized robot workers
These robot arms are built to work together (Rob Waugh)
Another impressive demon on the show floor showed multiple robot arms working together – normally robots work alone, even on factory production lines.
Maker Hydrabyte says, “If you put the robots close together, they will fail.
“That’s why we dedicated Hydrabyte to programming multi-robot systems.”
The company tries to ensure that multiple robots – even different ones – can work together safely, and the demonstration of multiple robotic arms rotating around each other was fascinating.
A TV that floats in water
Sylvox TVs are built to be completely waterproof for outdoor or pool use (Sylvox)
The TV is waterproof and floats (Photo Rob Waugh)
Sylvox showed off a television (well, a tablet) that can actually float on water and is completely waterproof.
The 15-inch Android tablet is completely waterproof and comes with a kickstand that allows you to prop it up at an angle.
The company wouldn’t let me float it on the stand because it’s a prototype device.
The concept device has Google TV built in and includes a kickstand that doubles as a handle.
Sylvox also makes fully waterproof models designed for use outdoors or in the bathroom.