LAS VEGAS — Many of the technologies on display at CES include leveraging AI to create devices that make people more efficient, create companions to relieve loneliness, and tools to solve mental and spiritual problems. Contains gadgets made to improve the lives of consumers, including: physical health.
But not all innovation is good, according to a panel of self-proclaimed dystopia experts. We've decided that some products are the “worst in show.” The award is There are no companies that would like to receive inquiries. “The most unrepairable, least private, least sustainable product on display.”
Liz Chamberlain, director of sustainability at e-commerce site iFixit, told The Associated Press that “more and more things are basically built in with surveillance technology, and that allows for great things to happen.” “But it also means that washing machines and refrigerators have microphones and cameras, and that's really an industry-wide problem.”
The fourth annual competition announced its decision on Thursday.
Do new smart rings come out every few years?
iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens awarded the Ultrahuman Rare Luxury Smart Ring the title of “Most Unrepairable.”
The ring, which is colored like dunes or desert sand, costs $2,200. Wiens said the jewelry “looks sophisticated, but it hides a serious flaw: the battery life is only 500 charges.” What's worse is the fact that it's impossible to replace the battery without completely destroying the device.
“Luxury items may be temporary, but two years of use for $2,200 is an all-time low,” he said.
Ultrahuman did not respond to requests for comment.
A smart crib equipped with AI?
Bosch's Revol crib uses sensors, cameras and AI to help monitor an infant's sleep status and vital signs such as heart rate and breathing rate, the company said. You can also gently rock the crib if your baby needs help falling asleep and let you know if blankets or other objects are interfering with their breathing.
EFF executive director Cindy Cohn said the cribs prey on parents' fears and “collect excessive amounts of data about infants through cameras, microphones and even radar sensors.”
“Parents expect safety and comfort from their child's crib, not surveillance or privacy risks,” she said in the report.
A Bosch spokesperson told The Associated Press that all data is end-to-end encrypted and stored on Bosch-managed servers, and that “all data at rest uses separate data encryption keys. “It will be protected locally.”
“Caregivers have the final say on whether their data is sent or not. Revol has an offline mode that allows data to be stored locally if needed,” the spokesperson said, adding that smart baby He added that the bed helps keep the child safe.
Too much waste?
AI will be everywhere at CES, but Stacey Higginbotham, a policy fellow at Consumer Reports, feels SoundHound AI's automotive AI-powered in-vehicle commerce ecosystem is pushing AI to unnecessary extremes. I did.
The feature “increases energy consumption, encourages wasteful takeout consumption, and distracts drivers, but adds little value,” Higginbotham said. As a result, in-vehicle systems have made it onto the “least sustainable” list.
Soundhound AI's platform allows drivers and passengers to order and pick up takeout directly from their car's infotainment system. The company did not respond to requests for comment. Keyvan Mohajer, CEO of SoundHound AI, said in a statement Tuesday that the product launch marks a “multi-decades in the making” moment.
“What starts here with food and restaurants will ultimately open up a whole new commercial ecosystem for car and device manufacturers everywhere,” he said.
easy to hack
TP-Link's Archer BE900 router won CES's “least secure” router award. The company is the best-selling router brand in the United States, but its products are vulnerable to hacking, said Security Ledger founder Paul Roberts.
“Under Chinese law, TP-Link must report security flaws to the government before alerting the public, creating a significant national security risk,” he said. “However, TP-Link displayed its Archer BE900 router at CES without addressing these vulnerabilities.”
TP-Link Systems disputed the report via email.
“TP-Link Systems Inc. is a U.S.-based company and does not provide security reports to China such as those referenced by iFixit,” the company said. “TP-Link Systems has a secure, vertically integrated, U.S.-owned international supply chain. Nearly all products sold in the U.S. are manufactured in Vietnam.”
TP-Link says it manages its own supply chain and “constantly assesses potential risks to our U.S. operations, customers and supply chain,” acknowledging that vulnerabilities exist across the industry. He added that there is.
“However, contrary to claims of widespread vulnerabilities, comparative data shows that TP-Link matches or, in some cases, outperforms other leading industry players in terms of security outcomes.” said the company.
Who asked for this?
The award also has a category called “Who asked for this?”
Topping the list is Samsung's Bespoke AI washing machine, which has “features no one needs,” such as the ability to make phone calls, according to Nathan Proctor, senior director of consumer advocacy group US PIRG. It is said to be fully loaded.
“These add-ons only make the appliances more expensive, more fragile and more difficult to repair,” he said.
Samsung did not respond to a request for comment.
At a press conference at CES on Tuesday, Jeong-Hee Han, vice chairman of Samsung's device experience division, said, “We are bringing new technology and intelligence into the home, connecting key devices, and setting the standard for the home. I'm proud to have set it up.” future. ”
“We are reinforcing our commitment to delivering personalized experiences through widespread implementation of AI, and we will continue our AI leadership journey not only for the next 10 years, but for the next 100 years, both inside and outside the home. '' he said.
Worst overall
Gay Gordon-Byrne, executive director of The Repair Association, called LG's AI Home Inside 2.0 Refrigerator with ThinkQ the worst product overall. Mr Gordonburn said the refrigerator had added “fancy features” such as a screen and internet connectivity.
“But they come at a price,” says Gordon-Byrne. “Decreased software support, increased energy consumption, and expensive repairs shorten the useful lifespan of refrigerators, leaving consumers with expensive and wasteful equipment.”
Christopher De Maria, head of public relations at LG Electronics, disagreed with Gordan Byrne's assessment of the new product.
“Of course, as with any new innovation, there will be naysayers, but once we launch this product, consumers looking to improve their kitchen experience will appreciate its innovative features, convenience, and performance. We believe you will appreciate it. We do not announce pricing or availability, nor do we share information about energy consumption, so these comments are respectfully not factual.”
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