Barcelone (awp/afp) – The Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, a must-attend event for the tech world, is an opportunity for manufacturers to unveil multiple innovations. From flying cars to transparent computers, here are five notable new features from the 2024 edition.
Flying electric car
Presented for the first time in Barcelona in its semi-final version, the “Model A” from Alef Aeronautics is presented as the first mass-market vehicle capable of traveling on both roads and in the air. Equipped with a 100% electric motor, it can transport two people within a radius of 170 km.
This vehicle, with an autonomy of “more than an hour”, “drives like a car, looks like a car” but “has vertical takeoff”, emphasizes Jim Dukhovny, CEO of the California startup founded in 2015. This allows it, in his opinion, to take off and land anywhere.
Alef Aeronautics, which obtained an airworthiness certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) last summer, plans to start production of its vehicle by the end of 2025. The group claims to have already received nearly 3,000 pre-orders for its vehicle, which is priced at $300,000.
Power ring… for health
After the smartphone and smartwatch, it’s time for the smart ring: presented for the first time to the public in Barcelona, Samsung’s “Galaxy Ring” complements the range of smart devices developed in recent years by the South Korean giant.
Adapted to all sizes, with three colors (gold, silver, black), this ring will be marketed in the second half of 2024. Samsung does not provide details at this stage on its price and the extent of its applications, particularly in the health sector.
“One of the biggest challenges facing the healthcare sector today is data fragmentation and how to bring it together,” emphasizes the group, which relies on this ring to collect more precise information about users, such as sleep status or heart rate, thanks to sophisticated and discreet sensors.
German Shepherd robot
It shakes hands, looks cute, and can go up or down stairs. Developed by the Chinese smartphone manufacturer Tecno Mobile, the “Dynamic 1” robot uses artificial intelligence and “advanced algorithms” to perform actions typical of canines, according to its designer.
Equipped with microphones, optical sensors, and a lighting system at eye level that allows it to illuminate its path, this small black robot with a (loosely) German Shepherd-inspired appearance can recognize its owner’s voice. According to Tecno, it is also possible to give it remote commands via a smartphone.
“Dynamic 1” can provide the “joy of owning a pet” without the associated inconveniences, specifies the Chinese group.
Transparent computer
Developed by the Chinese manufacturer Lenovo, the ThinkBook Transparent Display laptop features a transparent 17.3-inch screen based on micro-LED technology – allowing you to see through the device and overlay virtual images onto the real world visible in the background.
This model, whose commercial potential remains to be defined, also does not have a keyboard: Lenovo has instead installed a touch surface where keys or a graphics tablet can be projected, which can be operated with a stylus. Lenovo has not announced a release date.
AI-powered doll
With a cloth body, a floral blouse, and chestnut hair, she looks like a children’s toy. But the Hyodol doll, designed for the elderly, hides beneath its unassuming exterior a robot packed with sensors and AI-powered microprocessors.
The goal is to allow seniors suffering from loneliness or dependence to “live independently while remaining in contact with society,” explains its South Korean manufacturer, who claims that this object “enhances cognitive health” and “reduces stress” in patients.
This “robot-doll,” meant to fill the void of affection, can interact with its owner, remind them to take their medication, engage them in memory games, and alert the outside world in case of prolonged inactivity.
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