Strange Technology With Unique Purposes
In this digital age, everyone is constantly being surrounded by technology. While some are meant to improve our lives, the truth is, electronics don’t always need to solve major problems or become household essentials. Some devices are created to handle very specific inconveniences, offer unusual entertainment, or simply make life a little more interesting. Here are 20 wacky devices we know you've never heard of.
Clocky Polska - Artur Tarwacki on Wikimedia
1. Clocky, the Runaway Alarm Clock
If you're someone who struggles with getting up in the morning, you may appreciate Clocky, a unique alarm clock that's built with wheels that can roll away from your bedside table when it starts ringing. It might be effective, but it'll definitely be annoying because the only way to turn it off is getting out of bed and chasing it.
Clocky Polska - Artur Tarwacki on Wikimedia
2. The HAPIfork
Turns out even eating isn't an activity safe from our digital world; the HAPIfork is an electronic utensil designed to track how quickly you eat during a meal. It can vibrate when you take bites too close together, encouraging you to slow down. It's supposed to help you with bad overeating habits!
3. Pavlok’s Habit-Training Wristband
Is there a bad habit you've been trying to break? Turns out, there's a wristband for that. Pavlok is a wearable device that uses vibrations, sounds, and mild electrical stimulation to discourage unwanted habits. Users can connect certain behaviors, like oversleeping or excessive phone use, with this unpleasant reminder.
4. The Somnox Sleep Robot
For anyone struggling to sleep, maybe what you need is a robotic sleeping companion to give you a helping hand. Somnox is a soft, bean-shaped electronic device that rests beside you in bed and produces a slow breathing rhythm to help you relax.
5. The USB Cup Warmer
Whether you finish your drinks too slowly or simply leave them forgotten on your table, a USB cup warmer will certainly come in handy. These tiny heated platforms can help keep your coffee, tea, and other drinks from going cold, which means you can sip as lightly and as slowly as you'd like without having to run to the microwave.
Andrew Wallabeelkin on Unsplash
6. The PetChatz Video Treat Dispenser
Pet owners love this nifty little device that allows them to video call their animals and release treats from a wall-mounted device. Some versions even include calming scents and simple games that pets can activate! Your dog probably won't understand video calling, but it’ll probably understand the snack feature quickly.
7. The Motorized Ice Cream Cone
Who knew eating ice cream was too much of a hassle for some? A motorized ice cream cone rotates the scoop for you while you hold the handle in place so that you can enjoy the dessert without turning your wrist or moving the cone around. Most people can manage that task on their own, but hey, people love tech.
8. The Self-Stirring Mug
A self-stirring mug is pretty self-explanatory; this device contains a small battery-powered mechanism that mixes your drink when you press a button. It’s intended for coffee, hot chocolate, powdered drinks, and other beverages, because apparently, moving a spoon around a cup was simply taking too much effort.
9. The Bluetooth Banana Phone
A truly wacky invention that's more of a gag gift than anything, the Banana Phone is a banana-shaped Bluetooth handset that connects to your smartphone. You can answer calls, speak through the device, and pretty much confuse nearly everyone nearby.
10. Talking Toilet Paper Holder
If you really want to scare or confuse guests, this talking toilet paper holder can record and play short messages whenever the roll is used or the device is activated. People have used it for reminders, jokes, and unexpected greetings in the bathroom, all in good fun.
11. The Quoobo Robotic Pillow
Don't have the space or money for a pet cat or dog? This might just be the next best thing. Quoobo is a furry robotic cushion with a moving tail but no head, legs, or visible face. Its tail even responds when you stroke or tap the device, giving it an oddly petlike personality.
12. The Electronic Bubble Wrap Keychain
We all know how addicting it is to pop bubble wrap, so if you're someone who loves doing it, you'll definitely appreciate an electronic bubble wrap keychain which creates that feeling endlessly. Instead of permanently flattening, the silicone buttons reset so you can press them repeatedly.
13. The Nabaztag Smart Rabbit
An adorable electronic device made well before modern smart speakers became present in every single home, the Nabaztag was a rabbit-shaped internet-connected device that could read messages, provide weather updates, and respond with lights and moving ears. It was the best of both cute decor and practical!
14. The USB Pet Rock
A USB pet rock is exactly what the name suggests: a rock attached to a USB cable. It serves you absolutely no purpose other than plugging one into your computer gives you the satisfaction of knowing your rock is "technically" connected.
15. The Mood-Sensing Cat Ears
If you want to play a fun version of a lie detector's test, these electronic cat ears are the way to go. This headband uses sensors to respond to the wearer’s movements or basic biological signals. The ears may perk up, droop, or twitch depending on how the device interprets your level of attention or relaxation.
16. The Virtual Keyboard Projector
A virtual keyboard projector creates the image of a keyboard on a flat surface using light, with the sensors detecting where your fingers touch. It looks impressive during a demonstration, but typing on a hard tabletop definitely won't be easy.
17. The Toilet Night-Light
We're not sure why you wouldn't just turn on the bathroom light, but a toilet night-light clips onto the bowl and uses a motion sensor to illuminate the area when someone enters the bathroom. Many models even let users choose from several colors!
18. The Electronic Yodeling Pickle
If you really want to enter the realm of the weird and the wacky, this yodeling pickle, which is a plastic pickle-shaped device that performs a recorded yodel when you press its button, will do the trick. It's certainly a hilarious novelty gift to give someone if you want to play a prank!
19. The Smart Egg Tray
Eat a lot of eggs? This smart egg tray might come in handy then! This device monitors how many eggs remain and can send information to a connected phone. Some designs also help track how long each egg has been sitting in the refrigerator. It can actually be quite useful when grocery shopping.
20. The Air-Conditioned Computer Mouse
If your hands get a little sweaty during an intense gaming session, an air-conditioned mouse will certainly solve that problem for you. This device includes a tiny internal fan designed to keep your palm cooler while you work or play.
