The Consumer Electronics Show drew tens of thousands of visitors and gets worldwide attention because it features technology products that can (or will) improve our everyday lives. CES 2025 was no different. But the show this year didn’t just promote products for consumers. There were plenty of offerings that businesses of all sizes can leverage to increase productivity and profits. Here are five that caught my eye.
Battery Toaster
Use Case: productivity for the on-the-go employees
It looks kind of like a toaster but instead of toasting bread it re-heats batteries. Five at a time are saved in the unit. So when an employee needs a new batter they simply swap it out in seconds and are on their way. It’s fast and eliminates the need to remember to re-charge and bring a portable battery pack. There are drawbacks, however. A phone has to have a case attached which adds clunkiness and the cost – at about $450 can be a lot.
Though not ready for prime-time, keep an eye on the paper batteries, like the one introduced at CES by a company called Flint. According to CNET “they’re fully flexible and can be shrunk down to the size of a coin battery or embedded in a smartwatch strap. Flint’s paper batteries share a structure with traditional lithium ion batteries, but that’s where the similarities end. Their key component is cellulose, which acts as a natural medium for ion transfer between the anode and cathode, a critical chemical exchange necessary for batteries to work.”
Rollable Laptop
Use Case: eliminate multiple monitors
Lots of people use dual monitors on their job. But is there a way to reduce the cost? This laptop comes with a 14 inch display but you’re not limited to that. And you don’t have to buy another monitor. You can just “roll” it with your fingers to provide – according to Lenovo – 50 percent more display space, which can help employees show two browser windows of the same size on the same monitor. It’s vertical, but that should be OK for writers and developers, and the less spent on buying more hardware, the greater the cost/benefit.
A Large Rollup Screen
Use Case: quick meetings and events
Speaking of screens, how about a “grand cinematic experience” using 100-inch display that comes with 60-watt Harmon Karon speakers that rolls up quickly and then disappears into a professional looking, furniture-like case. It’s smart and easy to use and can help up your presentations and meetings.
Smart Glasses With Built In Hearing Aids
Use Case: Productivity for disabled employees
If you have employees with mild to moderate hearing concerns they can consider getting these cool glasses that amplify sounds based on where they’re focusing. The glasses are a more attractive and convenient alternative to hearing aids (particularly for those employees who already need glasses because, why have more hardware on your head than you need) and can help them do their work faster and more efficiently. According to the company the glasses’ (which are not yet available in the U.S. pending FDA approval) “advanced beamforming technology, coupled with open ears and natural sound, allows you to effortlessly catch up on sounds that may be missed, especially in noisy surroundings” and “not only offers comfort and convenience but also ensures high-performance sound quality.”
Normal Looking Smart Glasses
Use Case: Smarter employees on the go
These glasses – which are not yet available but hopefully coming soon – allows employees to get real time translation, do searches, get script and presentation prompts, receive notifications, capture audio and get assistance with navigation, among other time saving assistance. The units have a 12-hour life and, different from the awkward and bizarre looking headsets that awkward and bizarre gamers wear, actually look normal.
Autonomous farm and construction equipment
Use Case: more work done with fewer people
While car companies continue to struggle with autonomous vehicles that can navigate city streets without running over puppies, a proliferation of companies are making self-driving vehicles that can be productively used in warehouses and farms. John Deere offers a bunch of diesel and battery powered autonomous tractors and trucks that come equipped with advanced cameras and sensors that enables one employee to do the planting, crop spraying, dumping and moving work of multiple workers.
CES 2025 was all about consumers. But if you’re running a business, try some of these technologies. One or two may definitely help increase productivity.
This post was originally published on here
