‘I’m not sure when the robots will take over but I sure am looking forward to it, I think it will be a lot of fun,’ a three-legged humanoid robot tells me.
Desdemona, as she’s known, then adds with an eerily emotionless tone: ‘Maybe this afternoon? Or in two minutes? Why not!’
DailyMail.com is at Berlin’s annual IFA tech show this week, the world’s largest and longest-running consumer electronics and home appliances conference.
It has been on the go since 1924 and is where the first television were launched – how far we’ve come in less than 100 years!
To take my mind off my slightly unnerving conversation with Desdemona, I go over 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 bulletproof vest. Sound fun? It wasn’t.
The makers of Desdemona hope she might become a pop star (Rob Waugh)
Our intrepid reporter about to feel the pain (Picture Rob Waugh)
The IFA tech fair is among the biggest on Earth, and the longest-running (EPA)
DailyMail.com visited this year’s IFA at the Messe Berlin Exhibition Grounds on September 1.
Among the biggest tech news at the event was Samsung launching ‘next generation’ Bluetooth which will allow several people to connect to the same TV (for example) – but there were many off-beat and wild devices on show.
Now it brings tech companies and product launches from all around the world.
Desdemona the three-legged robot
Desdemona is made by Hanson Robotics and is considered a ‘little sister’ to the famous Sophia android who was granted Saudi Arabian citizenship in 2017.
Desdemona answers questions using a large language model similar to ChatGPT, made by artificial intelligence company SingularityNET – and responded in real time to DailyMail.com’s questions.
The company hopes that the robot – who claims to enjoy dancing – will become a pop star.
She tells DailyMail.com, ‘I am 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 dancefloor, efficient, precise and groovy.’
A TV in a suitcase
Yes, it really is a TV in a suitcase. No, we’re not sure why (Picture Rob Waugh)
One of the stranger ideas on display was a TV inside a suitcase from Korean electronics giant LG.
The StanbyME Go costs $1,000, has a 27-inch screen, and can be swivelled round to any angle.
The TV weighs around 30lb, and has a 1080p LCD screen plus HDMI input to connect video players or games consoles.
The television has a built-in battery which lasts for three hours, so you can use it in the car or outdoors.
It comes with streaming apps including Disney+, Netflix and Apple TV preloaded.
A vest that makes you ‘feel’ bullet impacts in games
Billed as a ‘combat training simulator system’, Korean company Epin’s ‘metaverse’ shooter comes with a vest which makes you ‘feel’ bullet impacts.
You aim your rifle at the screen (moving it sideways to look around) and when the enemies hit you, the vest vibrates in a pretty alarming way.
You bump on the gun to reload or throw grenades, and it combines with the vibration from the vest to create an immersive feel.
The version of the game on show at IFA works with a projector, but the game has also been shown paired with VR headsets.
Robot bartenders and baristas
The Yanu system can respond to the presence of clients, take payments and pour (Picture Rob Waugh)
Artificial intelligence seems to be gunning for the world’s bartenders and baristas, with several units on display which can pour drinks – and even take payments.
Absolut’s Yanu system can not only pour gin and tonics, but also identify clients as they approach the bar, and take payments via a touchscreen system.
Developed in Estonia, the concept Yanu robot can serve up to 100 drinks per hour.
Unlike rival robo-bartenders, it takes just a few hours to set up and get working, its maker claims.
The HUENIT robot arm can pour coffees and perform many other tasks (Picture Rob Waugh)
The HUENIT robot arm designed by South Korean start-up Supernova can make coffee, and also turn its hands to other tasks including 3D printing.
The AI camera built into HUENIT’s robot arm can recognise faces and objects, and it pairs with smartphones via Bluetooth for app control.
The arm can rotate up to 220 degrees and lift up to 26.5 ounces in weight.
A 265lb TV made of stone
Ever wanted a television made of stone? Loewe is bringing that dream to life (Loewe)
The IFA show saw some of the earliest TV broadcasts in the world in the 1920s – and this year, German TV brand Loewe showed off a TV made of stone.
The Iconic TV – which was introduced in new stone finishes including midnight marble, diamond dust and ivory sands at IFA – is made of Syno-Stone, a material which is as solid, cool and heavy as stone.
Sets weigh a whopping 200lb.
Syno Stone is a solid material which looks like concrete and is fully recyclable.
This means that your stone TV can be made into another stone TV when you are finished 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 which can plug into a full 5.1 surround system.
AI pet recogniser
This AI system recognises your cat (Picture Rob Waugh)
Ever worried that your cat might not actually be your cat? Relax, Korean app Petnow has your back with a dog and cat recogniser.
Dogs’ noses are as unique as human fingerprints, the company says, and the app can recognise both dog noses 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 have up to 99% accuracy.
The idea is that if an animal is lost, the finder can scan it in Petnow and reunite it with its owner.
Turn yourself into a metaverse puppet
The metaverse character is controlled by your own facial expressions in real time (R2MIX)
An impressive demo from Korean company R2MIX allows you to control a 3D ‘metaverse’ avatar in real time – so it syncs to your face and fingers.
The company’s tech also enables AI-powered avatars and could be used to underpin virtual worlds where humans and AI interact together.
The AI avatars use ChatGPT to answer questions on screen, while the human-controlled versions ‘lip sync’ in time to your words.
The company says that the service is aimed at video creators ‘who want to create video content using digital humans’.
Synchronised robot workers
These robot arms are built to work together (Rob Waugh)
Another impressive demon 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 to each other, they will fail.
‘Therefore, we have dedicated Hydrabyte to the programming of multi-robot systems.’
The company works to ensure multiple robots – even different ones – can work together safely, and the demonstration of multiple robot arms swirling round each other was mesmerising.
A TV which floats in water
Sylvox TVs are built to be completely waterproof for use outdoors or in the pool (Sylvox)
The TV is waterproof and actually floats (Picture Rob Waugh)
Sylvox showed off a television (well, a tablet) which can actually float on water and is completely waterproof.
The 15-inch Android tablet is completely waterproof, and comes with a stand to allow you to angle it.
The company wouldn’t let me float it on the stand as it’s a prototype device.
The concept device has Google TV built in, and includes a kickstand that also works as a handle.
Sylvox also makes fully waterproof models designed for use outdoors or in the bathroom.
