Top 10 Anticipated Tech Innovations of 2024

Let’s be honest - it’s been a while since the iPad received a major innovation. Well, that could be changing soon, as Apple aims to integrate OLED screens into their iconic handhelds. OLED stands for “organic light emitting diode,” and it results in a gorgeous picture with deep blacks, vivid colors, fantastic contrast, and crystal clear imagery. If you value a good picture, then OLED is an absolute must. That said, these screens are quite expensive, so expect the iPads to come with a hefty price tag. Rumor has it that these iPads have already entered production, and they should be released some time in the second quarter.

As unveiled at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show, LG is making a robot that is basically just a smaller version of that thing in “Rocky IV.” With two legs that allow it to walk around, the robot will help manage the home and assist in its owner’s needs. Its functions are numerous, like reporting on the air quality, identifying if any windows or lights were left-on, and controlling smart appliances. Not impressed? The artificial intelligence inside the robot can also read your facial expressions and vocal inflections to gauge your mood and will play suitable music. It’s a companion that will make your life just a little bit easier, and honestly, who wouldn’t want that?

The future of construction is intriguing. Before long, we may have entire worksites completely barren of human beings, populated by vehicles operating entirely by themselves. Maybe it’s a long way off, but it’s the vision that HD Hyundai wished to convey at CES 2024. They unveiled a simulator that controlled a wheel loader 3,000 kilometers away, signifying a future in which workers don’t have to be on-site. Even more impressive is the driverless excavator that runs on electricity. It’s proof that we are one step closer to autonomous worksites.

People have been clamoring for the first truly great virtual reality headset. Many have been released in recent years, but they have mostly proven to be niche products that haven’t truly taken off in the wider cultural sphere. Meta hopes to change that with Ventura, an accessible headset with a very attractive price point. According to vice president for VR Mark Rabkin, the aim is to “pack the biggest punch we can at the most attractive price point in the VR consumer market.” The device will reportedly cost just $200 and is slated for release some time in 2024.

Set to launch at CES 2024, the GyroGlove is meant for those who suffer from hand tremors, which is often a symptom of Parkinson’s disease. An honoree of CES’s Innovation Awards, the glove uses special technology that stabilizes the tremors and gives hand function back to its wearer. It’s a fantastic device, but it comes with the exorbitant price tag of nearly $6,000. However, GyroGear is currently in talks with insurance providers, so hopefully the device becomes more affordable in the coming years.

After the massive disappointment that was the Wii U, Nintendo came back stronger than ever with the Switch. The device earned widespread acclaim and is currently the third best selling console of all time with over 130 million units sold. It’s no surprise that Nintendo hopes to capitalize on this success, and we won’t have to wait much longer for the follow-up. Rumors began spreading in July 2023 that a new console was on the way, as development kits were reportedly being sent to developers. This new console will be much more powerful than the Switch, allowing for playback at 4K 60 FPS. The release date is still unconfirmed, but many insiders have posited late 2024.

Mercedes-Benz is pushing the automotive world forward with, what else, artificial intelligence. The popular car company has developed a brand new operating system called MB.OS, which, according to Chief Technology Officer Markus Schäfer, will provide “the hyper-personalized Mercedes-Benz user experience.” Mercedes cars already have an in-car voice assistant, but this AI upgrade aims to make the experience more fluid and intuitive. Or, in the company’s own words, more “human-like.” This includes natural dialogue, smoother interactions, and even various personality traits and speaking styles. Cars are often personified, but this is taking that concept to the next level.

Televisions have come a long way. Black and white, those bulky things in the ‘80s, plasma, LED, 3D, 4K, OLED…there have certainly been no shortage of innovation throughout the years. Well, there’s yet another jump coming. At CES 2024, both Samsung and LG unveiled transparent TVs, with Samsung using micro LEDs and LG going with OLED. Both TVs will be transparent, meaning things like weather reports will be floating in midair. Should you want to watch a movie, the TVs will switch modes and become a more conventional screen without the see-through capabilities. The transparency allows you to get creative with your display, like placing it in front of a window without obstructing your view.

The 2020s saw the popularization of foldable phones. But we’re already passing that and moving onto rollable phones. Many brands are currently working on this tech, with the frontrunner being Motorola, which unveiled a working prototype at Mobile World Congress in 2023. These devices are truly eye-catching, and they contain a unique way of making the screen larger without physically expanding the size of the phone. The Chinese companies Vivo and Transsion plan to release the first rollable phones in late 2024, signaling a tectonic shift in the smartphone industry.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Cappella
An App That Can Allegedly Translate a Baby’s Cries

Formlabs’ Premium Teeth Resin
A Device That Can 3D Print Dentures and Restorations That Color-Match Your Teeth

Infrared Hair Dryers
L’Oréal’s AirLight Pro Uses Infrared Light to Dry Hair 30% Faster

Tesla Model 3 Refresh
The Model 3 Has Been Revamped With Some Attractive Upgrades

ElliQ 3
The Elder Care Robot Is Getting an AI Upgrade That Allows It to Paint and Hold Conversations

Set to launch on February 2, the Apple Vision Pro is a mixed reality headset that will integrate digital media and virtual displays with the real world. The Vision’s apps can be controlled through a variety of means, including eye tracking and the aforementioned hand gestures. This will be the first major Apple invention in nearly ten years, with 2015’s Apple Watch being its last original product launch. But if you want to get your hands (or head) on it, it won’t come cheap, for when the Apple Vision Pro will launch, it will cost $3,500.