Why promising gadgets often fail to launch
The end of the holiday season means it's time for the Consumer Electronics Show 2025 (CES).
By Shutterstock/Cybernews
The end of the holiday season means it's time for the Consumer Electronics Show 2025 (CES).
Over 135,000 attendees from 150 countries will join a scavenger hunt in Vegas as they cover 2.5 million net square feet to find the next big thing in tech hidden inside the future promises of 4,300 exhibitors.
Microsoft captured the early CES headlines with leaks of a new range of mini AI PCs with copilot features. Rumors also suggest that Jensen Huang will unveil Nvidia's GeForce RTX 5080.
There is also the suggestion that we might finally hear more about the Nintendo Switch 2.
Before getting too excited, remember CES is merely a platform for companies to preview and unveil their latest innovations. But much of what you see will never see the light of day.
The long road to market for CES innovations
Many companies showcase concept devices meant to demonstrate technological capabilities rather than become actual products. These gadgets generate buzz on the show floor but don't always reach consumers.
A quick look at CES's history reveals a long list of early prototypes that required massive changes before they could be market-ready. Sadly, many have since been scrapped entirely before reaching production.
Exhibitors fall in love with their products and are blindsided by technical challenges, financial issues, or changes in market conditions. As a result, many new gadgets are destined never to see the light of day.
New designs like foldable phones take several years to mature, and it can take years to become affordable enough to secure the mainstream adoption required to make them a hit. Another prime example is the transparent TVs from Samsung and LG showcased at CES 2024, but it's unclear when they'll be available to consumers.
CES concepts that shine bright but fade fast
CES is the event that introduced the world to the LaserDisc, Windows Vista, Zune MP3 players, Apple's ill-fated Pippin game console, and 3D televisions. And this trend looks set to continue.
Samsung's Ballie, the AI-powered rolling robot first introduced at CES 2020, has seen updates, but five years later, it remains unavailable to consumers. Reintroduced at CES 2024 with advanced features like a built-in projector, enhanced AI for smart device interactions, and improved capabilities as a home assistant and security guard, Ballie generated renewed interest.
1. Samsung's Ballie, a robot that watches you sleep
undefined Gina Acosta (@ginacostag_) July 1, 2024
Ballie is a home robot that serves as a companion, entertainment device, and security camera.
It follows you, responds when called, controls smart devices, and answers questions—like a mobile Alexa that's always watching. pic.twitter.com/HN7o6Raku2
The good news is that ongoing development suggests the project is still alive, although rumors of a possible launch later this year remain unconfirmed. If released, Ballie is expected to carry a steep price tag, underscoring the challenges of turning ambitious CES concepts like Ballie or BMW's i Vision Dee color-changing cars into consumer realities.
With tech journalists looking for weird and wonderful gadgets at CES, many companies use the event as a clever marketing opportunity. In 2020, Charmin's RollBot promised to deliver a single toilet paper roll when summoned by smartphone.
The new robot creepily featured a digital face resembling Charmin's bear mascot and required manual loading of toilet paper, with the user having a smartphone nearby. It also had challenges in navigating to a bathroom using its infrared sensors.
Charmin also introduced two other conceptual prototypes at CES, including SmellSense, a bathroom odor detector, and V.I.Pee, a VR-enabled portable toilet. The devices were featured heavily in the media under the list of weird things found at CES.
But if you looked beyond the headlines, the RollBot and its counterparts were never intended for public release. They were merely marketing stunts to showcase innovation and grab the attention of attendees.
2. Charmin Rollbot
undefined Tom's KI Ecke (@KI_HAL_2023) May 1, 2024
RollBot brings you toilet paper. That's the only thing it does, in fact. It is a robot designed for a single use: to bring toilet paper to people stranded on toilets without toilet paper. pic.twitter.com/KcoT5oiCSq
CES innovations that overpromised and underdelivered
Last year, the Rabbit R1 grabbed all the headlines for being a groundbreaking AI-powered handheld device. But its meteoric rise quickly became one of the year's biggest failures.
Priced at $199, the Rabbit R1 secured over 100,000 preorders and $20 million in revenue, making it one of the biggest success stories of CES 2024.
However, users encountered widespread issues post-launch, including bugs, poor battery life, limited app functionality, and underwhelming build quality. Despite numerous firmware updates, the R1 struggled to deliver on its promises, with smartphones offering superior AI capabilities and core functionalities rendering it redundant.
Are people still buying the Rabbit R1? If they are can we get a list of who they are? I want to sell them some vaporware. pic.twitter.com/GlltoSgfLt
undefined ReturnToDelete (@ReturnToDelete) January 4, 2025
Today, fewer than 5,000 users actively use the device, and founder Jesse Lyu admitted it was rushed to market. The Rabbit R1 is a cautionary tale of overpromising and underdelivering at CES.
CES awards are no guarantee, either. The BMind smart mirror, unveiled at CES 2024 by Baracoda, made waves as the first AI-powered smart mirror designed for mental wellness. It was awarded a CES Innovation Award in the smart home category and captured attention with its ability to identify mood, manage stress, and provide personalized wellness recommendations.
Despite the buzz, BMind remains a concept product, with Baracoda actively pursuing manufacturing and distribution deals to bring it to market. Positioned as part of a broader health technology ecosystem, BMind's innovative approach to mental wellness has left many eager for updates. However, we hope to get a much-needed update at CES 2025.
Are you ok? It’s #WorldMentalHealthDay and CTA member @BaracodaGroup’s groundbreaking product BMind—the world’s first AI-powered smart mirror—is using innovative technology to make sure. Learn more about @BaracodaGroup and BMind here: https://t.co/B9eW4BdPak pic.twitter.com/d02jjYJQKe
undefined Consumer Tech Association (@CTATech) October 10, 2024
Searching for substance at CES 2025
As CES 2025 kicks off and our newsfeeds fill with stories about the cutting-edge innovations of tomorrow, remember to look beyond the flashy marketing and big promises that dominate the show floor.
While CES is a breeding ground for exciting ideas, history reminds us that many products – due to technical challenges, market misalignment, financial constraints, or overambition – never make it to consumers. The real winners at CES are those who can bridge the gap between visionary concepts and practical, scalable solutions that are affordable to everyday users.
This year, approach CES as a tech scavenger hunt and look beyond the hype to find the ideas with staying power and the innovations that will take us a step closer to the Jetsons life we were promised. But as someone who has been waiting patiently for a jetpack since the 1984 Olympic ceremony, don't expect too much too soon.