CES (formerly the Consumer Electronics Show) That The biggest tech convention of the year. This helps prepare the ground for all the wonderful gadgets we'll see over the next 12 months. But among all the quadcopters, questionably friendly robots, and gadgets with fancy flexible screens, there are many little things that make CES a one-of-a-kind event. To highlight some of the dumb, goofy, and sometimes useful things we encountered at this year's show, we humbly present the unofficial Dumb Fun Award at CES 2025.
The cutest excavator – Komatsu PC01E-2
The Komatsu PC01E-2 looks like a playground toy, except it actually works and is damn cute. You almost want to go over and pinch that little bucket until it turns pink. But it's not all fun and games, because this little excavator is designed to dig – even in tight spaces. In fact, it's small enough to fit in most elevators, so if you find yourself in a situation where you need to dig around on, say, a roof, Komatsu has you covered.
Most likely this is a trifle – FX Super One
We usually try to be optimistic about new technologies. But since Faraday Future announced its the first concept car back in 2016In total, the company produced less than 20 cars. And for his enormous success in producing less than two dozen cars, the founder and CEO of Faraday Future go and give yourself a promotion. Now at CES 2025, the company is trying to make a comeback with its new FX lineup of electric vehicles, but it hasn't even gotten around to painting them. This special camouflage used by automakers is usually designed to help hide the vehicle's design. to they announce it rather than make it look half-baked at their own press conference. However, to say that the job is 50 percent done is probably too generous. So while there's always a chance the company will change things up, don't be surprised if you never see the FX Super One on the road.
If you ever need someone who will sacrifice elegance for the sake of history, he is your man. And yet, even with the haphazard photovoltaic headpiece, there's still no doubt that he's the most dapper Dan yet.
Everyone is always worried about when our robot overlords will come and defeat us. But what we should probably worry about most is people. That's because during a demonstration of the Unitree robot, its homo sapien operator fumbled the controller, causing the robot to actually handle our own Carissa Bell. Human or robot, it's not normal.
The most charming – Bathing
This list was originally intended to highlight interesting things we saw at CES that didn't get much praise (or hate) elsewhere, but then Mirumi went and won the award. I don't care about that though. This robot is designed to do one thing – hold your hand and look at things cutely while you walk. Basically, it's a raincoat with eyes and a stickiness that can't be denied. And I will cherish and cherish it with my whole life.
Listen, taking care of your skin is very important. After all, it is the largest organ in your body! But if traditional moisturizers, creams, and exfoliants aren't enough for you, I'm not sure the Shark Red Light Mask is the answer. If I'm at home and my significant other comes out of the bathroom looking like fucking Doctor Doom, I won't go to bed. I run out the door and call Reed Richards for help.
Coolest Stand: AARP
AARP describes itself as “the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age.” So instead of encouraging people to wander from booth to booth checking out all the newfangled gadgets during CES, AARP decided to install a full-fledged pickleball court right on the show floor. Naturally, attendees both young and old walked up to the net and unceremoniously hit balls back and forth, and everyone seemed to be relaxing in the midst of the biggest tech convention of the year. Best wishes.
Company with the most FOMO – Hare
Las Vegas is an insult to Mother Nature. It's an impassable city in the middle of the desert, full of all sorts of temptations and enough neon to melt your brain. So when a company doesn't want to fly to CES, we understand. But that doesn't mean you can try to sneak into the limelight by sending out emails saying you're “perfect for CES but smart enough to miss it.” Either stop sitting back and suffering along with the rest of us, or shut up. So, hey Rabbit, you say it's okay if you're not at CES. That's cool, we feel the same way.
You know what sounds safe? An electric moped that turns into a quadcopter, but only if you arrange the propellers and levers yourself. The base model also has a flight time of only about 25 minutes. While the company claims there are a number of safety features, there is also a built-in parachute. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying we can't have air taxis and other hybrid aircraft. But this thing does not inspire confidence. However, if you have more courage and common sense, give it a try and let us know how it goes.
Not every part of a computer needs to deliver higher frame rates, and this year MSI proved that by creating a CPU cooler with a built-in player. What's the point, you ask? Well, look at this happy little dragon sitting on his throne. Just look at him. But really, you can put whatever makes you happy there. The only sad thing is that this water block is just a concept and MSI has no plans to put it on sale. What a bummer.
We couldn't decide which one was more outrageous, so we had a tie in that category. Dell is generally happy with the new unified brand. After all, no one cares about lines like Latitude, Inspiron, and Optiplex. But dropping the XPS name, the only Dell sub-brand that has ever really meant anything, is a step too far.
Meanwhile, in an attempt to attract younger buyers who might not be interested in its classic black laptops, Lenovo launched a ThinkPad without carbon fiber and without the Trackpoint notch. This is downright blasphemous. Admittedly, if you're under 50, you might not care, but any nerd who grew up with rotary phones will probably be pissed.
Horniest booth: Handy
CES is home to all kinds of sex tech, but even among all the vibrators and various toys, the Handy booth somehow managed to be more horny than any other. That's because, in addition to showcasing fancy gadgets, the company made guests line up to spin a wheel for a chance to take home their own prize. And if people eagerly waiting to pick up a pleasure device to get their kicks don't get them excited, I don't know what is. Just maybe keep it in your pants until you get home.