Last gadget standing: 7 of the coolest innovations at CES

Despite being a convention about futuristic tech, CES is steeped in tradition. Since its inception, robots have played a major role — as well as industry favorites like TVs and phones. Even cars, once a rare sight at the convention, are now an expected and solid part of the new tech lineup.

But these traditions aren’t “hard rules.” CES has unique items you can’t find anywhere else, and the show is the perfect opportunity for the mad scientists of the world to parade their wildest inventions. Tap or click here for some of the strangest things we found at CES this year.

Of all the traditions that continues to be a crowd favorite to this day: The Last Gadget Standing. In this contest, the top exhibits are voted upon with one emerging as the ultimate gadget. And now, we know who all the finalists are this year. Here are the cream of the crop at CES 2020.

Which gadget will win?

Every year, a council of participants and CES attendees vote on which piece of tech is the best of the year. This year marks the 20th anniversary of this ceremony, and the gadgets that made the cut have to be seen to be believed.

7. MedWand is changing medicine forever

Visiting the doctor can be a long-winded ordeal, and there’s often a wait due to demand. Wouldn’t it be easier if people had instant access to telemedicine over video chat? Well, as nice as that sounds, most people don’t have medical tools at home for a doctor to make a diagnosis.

But MedWand aims to change all that and revolutionize the field of telemedicine. This device is a small, handheld piece of medical equipment that combines multiple tools into one easy-to-use consumer device.

MedWand includes a camera system, pulse oximeter, IR thermometer, stethoscope and ECG in an enclosure that only weights 4 ounces.

It’s perfect for homebound patients, and can provide quick readouts to doctors no matter where they are. Plus, it can even be used for soldiers on the battlefield.

The Medwand has a proposed retail price of $399.

6. Octobo is the perfect robot buddy for kids

If you ever saw Baymax in Disney’s “Big Hero 6,” you already know robots don’t have to be hard and metallic to be effective. In fact, the field of “soft robotics” has grown in recent years, and is starting to make its way into consumer tech. Tap or click to learn about Lovot, another soft robot at CES.

While this isn’t a full-fledged robot, the Thinker-Tinker Octobo employs much of the philosophy behind soft robotics — combining a fun, friendly exterior with high technology. Kids can slide their tablet right into their Octobo plush to bring him to life and enjoy fun educational games that keep them coming back for more.

The Thinker-Tinker Octobo plush has a proposed retail price of $149. Tablet or comparable device is not included.

5. WOWCube is the toy we always wished we had

Rubik’s Cubes were all the rage back in the day, but the iconic design is probably in need of a modern refresh.

But rather than just reskin or reshape the classic cube, WOWCube is introducing something far more interesting: smart home integration. Designed to act as a visual multimedia hub as well as a puzzle, this super-toy employs high-resolution screens over its puzzle surface for an amazing, brain-teasing experience.

The CubiOs WOWCube has a proposed retail price of $249.

4. Phyn makes it easy to catch leaks and water waste

How much water do you use in your home? If your bill is high, you might have a leak somewhere and not know about it. If this is the case, that can lead to an expensive plumber visit (and they’ll spend a good amount of time locating the leak before fixing it).

But Phyn Smart Water Assistant is on the case. This device can monitor the water usage for your entire home, and can help you pinpoint leaks in the event that waste is detected. Finally, you can decrease your bill and be smart about water use in your smart home.

The Phyn Smart Water Assistant has a proposed retail price of $299.

3. Bring your imagination to life with the Doodlematic Mobile Game Maker

Ever dream of designing video games? It’s a common dream career for millions of kids, so why not give yours a gift that can give them a head start in this creative field?

The Doodlematic Mobile Game Maker combines smart pen devices with your existing tablet and lets you draw custom video game levels that really work and play. Instead of babysitting your grandkids with video games, why not teach them to make some for themselves?

The Tink Digital Doodlematic Mobile Game Maker has a proposed retail price of $29.99.

2. Star Trek tech is here: Enter the Ambassador Interpreter

Years ago, automatic language translators were the stuff of science fiction. But now, it’s a full-blown reality thanks to innovative companies like Waverly Labs and Google. Tap or click here to learn more about Google’s interpreter mode.

But now, Waverly Labs is introducing the pinnacle of its research: a handheld device that translates language in real time. The Ambassador Interpreter easily clips over a user’s ear, and will filter foreign languages into understandable English no matter where you are. It’s the perfect gift for travelers and businesspeople.

The Waverly Labs Ambassador Interpreter has a proposed retail price of $149

And our winner for the top gadget of CES 2020 is….

*drumroll, please*

1. ClearUP gets rid of sinus pain without any drugs

Millions of Americans suffer from seasonal allergies every year. As a result, many rely on allergy medications or special devices to relieve pain and pressure that interferes with daily life.

But the ClearUP device from Tivic Health aims to change this. This device uses painless electrical impulses to affect the nerves surrounding the sinus cavities in your face. This can reduce pain symptoms with no additional drugs, and studies show 74% of users experience relief after a single treatment! Where can I get one?

The Tivic Health ClearUP Sinus Pain Relief has a proposed retail price of $149.99.

What do you think of the winning exhibit at CES 2020? Would you have picked the ClearUP Sinus Pain Relief stick?

Stay tuned for even more CES 2020 coverage here at Komando.com