LAS VEGAS — At CES, a major tech showcase, many products are designed to enhance the lives of consumers. From gadgets that utilize artificial intelligence for efficiency to devices aimed at alleviating loneliness or assisting with health issues, innovation is at the forefront. However, a panel of experts with a focus on dystopian technology has deemed some of these innovations as the “Worst in Show,” calling attention to those products that are deemed “least repairable, least private, and least sustainable.”
Liz Chamberlain, the director of sustainability for iFixit, highlighted a concerning trend, stating that numerous devices now incorporate surveillance technology. While this enables new functionalities, it raises significant privacy concerns as microphones and cameras are increasingly found in common appliances like washing machines and refrigerators. Chamberlain emphasized that this has become a pervasive issue across the industry.
The fourth annual competition revealed its verdicts, though the nominated companies have not publicly commented on the awards.
One notable selection was the Ultrahuman Rare Luxury Smart Ring, which Kyle Wiens, CEO of iFixit, named the “least repairable.” Priced at $2,200, with a limited battery life of only 500 charges, Wiens criticized the ring for being not only prohibitively expensive but also impossible to service without destroying it entirely. He remarked, “Luxury items may be fleeting, but two years of use for $2,200 is a new low.”
Another controversial entry is the “Revol” crib from Bosch, which employs sensors, cameras, and AI to monitor various aspects of an infant’s well-being. It can reportedly rock the baby to sleep and alert parents to potential hazards. However, Cindy Cohn, Executive Director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), expressed concern that the crib invades an infant’s privacy by collecting extensive data through various sensors. “Parents expect safety and comfort — not surveillance and privacy risks — in their children’s cribs,” she asserted.
Stacey Higginbotham, a policy fellow at Consumer Reports, criticized SoundHound AI’s In-Car Commerce Ecosystem for being overly extravagant. This system enables users to order takeout using their car’s infotainment system but raises concerns about increased energy consumption and driver distraction. Higginbotham labeled it the “least sustainable” product at the event.
On the security front, the TP-Link Archer BE900 router was designated the “least secure” due to its demonstrated vulnerabilities to hacking. Paul Roberts, founder of The Security Ledger, pointed out that Chinese law requires TP-Link to report any security flaws to the government before informing customers, presenting a significant national security risk. Yet, the company still highlighted this product at CES without addressing these potential issues.
In the unusual award category “who asked for this?” the Samsung Bespoke AI Washing Machine topped the list. Nathan Proctor, senior director of U.S. PIRG, criticized it for including unnecessary features like the capability to make phone calls, which only drive up costs and complicate repairs.
Samsung’s vice chairman, Jong-Hee Han, defended the company’s innovations, expressing pride in how their new technologies create a connected home environment and reinforce their commitment to advancing AI capabilities.
The overall worst product of the show, according to Gay Gordon-Byrne, Executive Director of The Repair Association, was the LG “AI Home Inside 2.0 Refrigerator with ThinkQ.” Gordon-Byrne pointed out that while the fridge includes impressive features like a display and internet connectivity, these enhancements come at the expense of practicality. He noted that they result in reduced software support, increased energy use, and costly repairs, leaving consumers with an expensive device that ultimately contributes to waste.
