The strangest gadgets at Berlin's IFA tech show

No more need to hunt for a trolley
No more need to hunt for a trolley

Berlin's IFA tech show is the largest in Europe, and while the hype may not match its American big brother CES, there's no shortage of weird and wonderful devices to reward curious visitors.

Tame luggage

I-Porter may be the solution for those fed up with juggling phone, passport, boarding pass and hand luggage at the airport. The cabin-sized suitcase is motorised and follows its human master with the aid of a laser detection system. If you're worried about its affections straying, an optional Bluetooth bracelet can help avoid mix-ups. Around 1,500 euros ($1,733).

Iron chef

German home electronics maker AEG is offering a range of frying pans and saucepans with built-in sensors. They can step in to turn down the heat quickly if it looks like your dish risks bubbling over or browning too close to black.

Babelfish

It's not quite the universal translator promised by Douglas Adams in "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", but the Pocketalk (around 230 euros) makes a fair stab. Speak a phrase into the hand-held box and it will translate into more than 70 languages—as long as it's connected to Wi-Fi or the mobile network and doesn't mishear you.

'Teledildonics'

IFA doesn't stop at the entrance to the bedroom, with a stand offering Internet-connected vibrating devices for men or women, as well as unisex options. Manufacturers are making eyes at the sector after the expiration of a 1990s-era US patent on "teledildonics"—an "interactive virtual sexual stimulation system" with "one or more user interfaces"—thus opening the boudoir to would-be robotic Romeos. One vital ground rule: any data collected must remain under cryptographic lock and key.

A smile never hurts, but this device could help save frustrations on many foreign holidays
A smile never hurts, but this device could help save frustrations on many foreign holidays

Rolling thunder

Danish high-end audio specialists Bang and Olufsen show off a futuristic, tactile speaker, the Beosound Edge, that can be attached to the wall or placed on a table. To adjust the volume, just roll the almost featureless circular device to left or right. Touch controls appear on the surface when the proximity sensors detect you are close.

A Tenuto love toy is pictured at the booth of Mystery Vibe during the IFA in Berlin
A Tenuto love toy is pictured at the booth of Mystery Vibe during the IFA in Berlin

© 2018 AFP

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