Here are some of the strangest and most amazing things to come out of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this month.

Ride and Fly

A flying moped is coming to a driveway near you in 2026. You could be pedaling one moment and taking off into the air the next.

The Rictor Skyrider X1 flies at a maximum speed of 62 miles per hour for 40 minutes. Thanks to artificial intelligence, it takes off and lands on its own and plans the optimal route. According to the company, it lands safely even if an engine fails, in which case, a parachute pops out.

Thank goodness for AI. Without it, I might smash into the top of a skyscraper. Alternatively, I could choose to use the joystick alone, if I wanted total control. Expected price: $60,000.

Van with Plane Inside

Perhaps the most amazing thing at CES was the “Land Aircraft Carrier,” a $300,000 six-wheeled electric van with a quadcopter inside.

Designed by a subsidiary of XPeng Motors, it has an electric Vertical Take Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft inside the rear compartment. Just take it out and start flying. You can even fly one handed, using the joystick for maneuvering. The eVTOL has automated flight systems for short, self-guided trips and backup button controls located on the center console.

There are already 3000 pre-orders, with delivery set for 2026. For more info, search on the phrase: “We hopped into XPeng Aero HT’s flying car.” See also the YouTube video here.

Solar-Powered Car

The Aptera Solar EV is a three-wheel solar car. You can get up to 40 miles from solar power alone, or 400 miles by plugging it in. A sunny climate is best.

The CNET reporter who took a ride in it was enthralled. He pointed out that if your commute is only 30 miles, you might never have to plug it in.

The car’s shape was inspired by a dolphin. It has 32.5 cubic feet of cargo space in its long tail. At 1800 pounds, it’s about 2500 pounds lighter than a Tesla Model Y, and has 70 percent less drag than most other EVs. Even the wheels and tires are designed to create less friction. The curved glass hood, the roof, the rear hatch and even the dashboard all have solar panels. It comfortably seats two people.

Nanny Cam for Plants

I’ve heard of baby monitors, but how about plant monitors? The “Petal Camera” keeps tabs on every insect that stops by. Even from thousands of miles away, you could watch the bugs descend, by looking at the free phone app, which also offers garden tips. An optional solar panel keeps the camera charged.

The Petal Camera is launching this spring on Kickstarter.com, the crowdfunding site. Meanwhile, the company, Bird Buddy, sells a smart bird feeder that will take pictures and video when your feathered friends visit, using AI to determine the species. I saw it on Amazon for $209.

Solar Umbrella

If you were at the beach and your phone went dead, would you turn to a solar powered umbrella to charge it? Maybe not today, but soon. At CES, Anker announced the “Solar Beach Umbrella,” coming this spring or summer.

The Solar Beach Umbrella can produce 100 watts of total output. Pair it with the Solix EverFrost 2 Electric Cooler, and chill out, even in 100-degree heat. It’s six feet tall, with an IP67 rating, which means it can handle any sand or rain that blows in. According to Anker, its perovskite solar cell offers a 30 percent better performance and double the efficiency in low light compared to ordinary solar cells.

Anti-Aging Mask

If I hadn’t read a report from the Cleveland Clinic, I’d never believe that an LED mask could do wonders for my face. Apparently, it’s both anti-aging and anti-acne. Reporters went bonkers for it at the recent computer show in Las Vegas.

The “Cryo Glow Face Mask” from Shark, a maker of vacuum cleaners and kitchen gadgets, includes “instant chill” technology, which feels utterly soothing on your face, according to an Engadget reporter. Besides anti-aging benefits, the company claims that acne sufferers will see clearer skin in about four weeks. It’s $350 from SharkClean.com.

Internuts

• “Our Favorite (Mostly Weird) Robots We Saw at CES 2025.” Search on that term for an amazing video recap. The $2000 “Zero C70” robot vacuum, for example, picks up your socks instead of trying to vacuum over them. It comes out in April. “Mirumi” is a robotic plush toy that clings, acts shy and interacts with you, like a baby. Expect it on Kickstarter.com in April, for $70. “Loona” is a robot who recognizes faces, reads gestures and prompts you to keep petting her. TCL’s “AI Me,” pronounced “Amy,” is a robot who can be removed from her autonomous car and carried along on your adventures. Finally, be sure to look up Realbotix’s Aria, a $175,000 blonde bombshell in a black tracksuit who answers your questions while using hand and body movements to converse.
• “This Radar System Can Detect Hidden Moisture in Your Walls.” Search on that phrase to learn about a microwave radar system that detects moisture in walls before it turns moldy. It isn’t on the market yet, but researchers from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory are working on it.

 

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