A Laundry-Folding Robot, A ‘Smart’ Hairbrush and Other Cool Gadgets from CES 2017, Day One

The humanoid robot Pepper was first launched in 2014, but now the robot has been outfitted with new software that will transform it into a medical life assistant at hospitals, retirement homes, and other venues. Pepper can take routine medical readings, monitor a patient’s vital signs, and even allow patients to leave messages for their visitors. Pepper can also serve as an in-home assistant, helping patients manage doctors’ appointments and find disability access maps.

This nifty device combines the functionalities of a digital camera with the nostalgic appeal of a classic instant print camera. The Polaroid Pop takes digital photos that can be stored on a micro SD card, as well as printed out instantly as 3x4 full-color photos. The Pop can also connect to other mobile devices via WiFi or Bluetooth, turning it into a handy mobile printer. The Poloroid Pop will be available near the end of this year, the company says.

Any parent who has ever stayed up late with a sick child will appreciate TempTraq, a wearable patch that can continuously monitor body temperature for up to 48 hours. The patch sends the temperature data to a mobile app, so parents can keep regular tabs on their kid's temperature without having to wake them up for a thermometer reading.

This Bluetooth- and WiFi-enabled hairbrush from Kérastase and Withings can tell you if you’re brushing your hair too quickly or forcefully. It uses a microphone and various sensors to identify your hair brushing patterns. Then, it transmits that information to a mobile app, which in turn gives you a “hair quality score” and recommends personalized hair care tips.

These smart glasses can connect wirelessly with your smartphone and overlay information across your line of vision. Wearers will be able to access texts, GPS mapping directions, weather reports, restaurant menus, and alerts without having to look down at a phone or smart watch. Perhaps in response to the epic flop of the clunky, overtly “tech-y” Google Glass, Vuzix opted for a streamlined design that makes these high-tech specs look a lot more like regular glasses.

The futuristic FoldiMate does one thing—fold your laundry. “All you do is take the dry items, hang each one on the clip and within a few minutes, your laundry is neatly folded, treated and even de-wrinkled,” according to a company release. As of now, the Foldimate, which is still in the prototype stage, can fold shirts, pants, towels, and “virtually anything that will fit inside of it,” but you’re out of luck when it comes to linens, underwear, socks, and baby clothes.

SizeUp DIY is an app that allows you to measure anything with your phone by moving the phone from one end of the object to the other. The app, available for download now for iPhone, could be a lifesaver at the furniture store, or when you’re mailing a package from home and don’t have a tape measure.