Weirdest Tech Releases We May See This Year

And it doesn't get bigger (or wierder) than the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which was held at Las Vegas, Nevada between January 7–11 this year. At this annual parade of upcoming tech and groundbreaking gadgets, minds were blown and wallets targeted by solutions no one asked for. From rollable laptops to snore-blocking earbuds, CES 2025 offered plenty to marvel at, but also a fair share of overpriced gimmicks.

For the uninitiated, CES is the biggest tech event in the world, where some of the biggest companies showcase the new tech and products they have been working on, mostly prototypes that can be expected to hit the market sometime this year or next.

Big companies like Apple, Meta and Google don't participate in it, as they have their own annual events to preview or release their offerings. But for everyone else, it's equivalent to the Cannes marketplace.

But here's the rub. Although the CES is supposed to solve existing technical problems, we couldn't help but think that some gadgets and tools on display there gave us solutions to problems that, perhaps, don't even exist. Like a robot which you can attach to your tea cup so that it blows air to cool your drink. Talk about wacky.

Without much ado, let’s get into some of the most bizarre tech on display this year.

AI Spice Dispenser

Source: Spicerr

Spicerr, an AI spice dispenser, promises to take the guesswork out of seasoning your dishes. It has AI-powered adjustments which tailor recipes to your taste, making cooking easier. Forget measuring spoons or clumpy spices. The dispenser will do it all on its own.

Yes, it can tweak a Jamie Oliver recipe to your spice level, but is that worth the price tag and the limitations? For now, it feels more like a gadget chasing convenience than a true game-changer.

Priced at US$ 149 (approx Rs 12,903), Spicerr is a convenience for anyone who loves cooking but hates the hassle. While its six-capsule capacity might not cover every cuisine, can its ability to learn your preferences make it a permanent kitchen utility by late 2025? The trade-off is a constant need to replenish their one-of-a-kind capsules.

FuFu Robot Cat

Source: Yukai Engineering

The FuFu robot, designed and created by Japanese robotics startup Yukai Engineering, is probably the weirdest technology shown at CES 2025. Called Nékojita FuFu, it is a small device that perches on the side of your mug or bowl and blows on your hot food, mimicking a human's cooling attempt with random gusts. 

The Tokyo-based firm touts its "Fu-ing System", a mix of fan mechanics and a "special algorithm" in which the fan blows at unpredictable intervals, just like human beings do.

The name comes from “FuFu”, mimicking the sound of blowing, while “Neko-jita” (cat tongue) refers to those with low tolerance to hot climates. It’s a nod to Japanese cultural nuance, sure, but is it a practical solution or just another gadget chasing novelty? Perhaps charming, yes, but surely a simple puff of air from your own lungs can do the trick.

Mirumi Mini Robot

Source: Yukai Engineering

From Yukai Engineering, we got another weird marvel at the CES this year. Mirumi is a mascot robot that tilts its head to “steal glances” at nearby people. The idea is to mimic the charm of a baby attempting to interact, with Mirumi expressing curiosity, shyness, and other endearing "emotions." 

It’s described as a tool to spread joy and coax smiles from strangers in mundane settings like train rides or checkout lines.

While this sounds heartwarming on paper, one might question the need for a robotic stand-in for genuine human interaction. A robot performing programmed gestures, however cute, seems a rather hollow substitute for the real thing. 

Kerin Electric Salt Spoon

Source: Kirin Holdings

On the inaugural evening of CES 2025, Kirin Holdings unveiled an electronic spoon that claims to make food taste saltier without the sodium. It instead uses a weak electric current to manipulate sodium ions in your meal. This US$ 127 tool promises to amplify saltiness and umami for those on low-sodium diets.

The idea is interesting, but the execution feels questionable. Thousands of people tasting soup at a tech event doesn’t exactly scream hygienic. While there’s some solid research behind it, it all feels a bit gimmicky. Adding electrified forks and chopsticks to the mix only highlights an overcomplicated approach to a simple problem. Just add more sodium-free salt, for a start.

Perhaps it’s better to rethink recipes than rewire your dinnerware. The question remains: Would you buy it?