A FIRM annual fixture for fans of the latest technology, the Barcelona-based Mobile World Congress (MWC) never fails to blow visitors' minds with creations they didn't know they needed. And these cutting-edge inventions are not just about ever-more sophisticated mobile phones and similar gadgetry – the futuristic concepts showcased cover all areas of life and work in a bid to make both as easy as possible. In 2019, the MWC even unveiled 'smart hives' for beekeepers.
Sponsors' banners at the entrance to the Mobile World Congress venue (photo: Mwcbarcelona.com)
Running until Thursday (February 29) inclusive, and looking set to remain in Barcelona year after year for the foreseeable future, here are some of the fascinating exhibits uncovered at the MWC 2024 so far.
Xiaomi SU7 electric car: Recharge for 200 kilometres in five minutes
Known as the 'Chinese Apple', Xiaomi is now seeking to become the 'Chinese Tesla' with its whizzy SU7. Electric, of course, and with a battery that will last you for 800 kilometres (500 miles) once fully charged, which takes just 20 minutes; a quarter-recharged in five minutes will be enough for most daily errands and medium-length journeys.
An electric car that goes from nought to 100 kilometres per hour in under three seconds, the Xiaomi SU7 is set to compete with Tesla (photo: @Xiaomi on Twitter)
From zero to 100 kilometres per hour (62 miles per hour) in 2.78 seconds, the Xiaomi SU7 can reach top speeds of 265 kilometres per hour (166 miles per hour) – although that's not recommended on Spanish roads where the speed limit on motorways is 120 kilometres per hour (75 miles per hour).
Orbic eBike 5G: Collision detection, dashcam, and doubles up as WiFi hotspot
Also on the transport front, a bicycle that can detect objects and runs on clean energy has been presented by the sustainable electricity company Orbic, and promises to cut collisions and rider falls. The eBike 5G, complete with an AI sensor that offers a 148º field of vision, can get up to 45 kilometres per hour (28 miles per hour), or the equivalent of a small moped, making it ideal for short daily commutes.
The Orbic eBike 5G tells you instantly whether you're going to collide with something (photo: Orbic)
Continually analysing its surroundings, the eBike 5G gives warnings and safety alerts if you get too close to physical objectsd, includes a 64 megapixel dashcam, another eight megapixel camera for video calls, and a third at the rear, of two megapixels, to improve security and detect vehicles coming up behind you.
Once you've stopped for a rest en route, you can catch up on your messages, since the bike functions as a WiFi hotspot
Samsung Health-powered sleep-monitoring ring
Monitoring your sleeping patterns at home normally means wearing a smartwatch to bed, which can be uncomfortable, especially for those who suffer sensory overload and are irritated by objects close to the skin. Samsung has the solution in the form of a three-gram ring with the Samsung Health app installed – registering your heart rate, oxygen saturation, breathing rhythm, nocturnal movements, depth and quality of sleep, and blood pressure, you barely know you're wearing it, but get all the information you would with a high-quality watch.
The Samsung ‘smart ring' is linked to the brand's health app to enable you to monitor your sleep quality (photo from Samsung's mobile phone website, SamMobile.com)
You can combine it with other apps, such as Natural Cycles, to track your menstruation and ovulation patterns, and as it comes in silver, gold or black, it looks like a standard piece of jewellery – and a very elegant one, too.
Husqvarna lawnmower with retro video game function
Who said cutting the grass was a chore? When you can combine it with a bit of gaming, it becomes almost a competitive act. And in tribute to the legendary Doom, Swedish garden technology designer Husqvarna has programmed this retro game into its latest lawnmower.
Play the popular 1990s' video game Doom on your lawnmower from April this year (photo: Husqvarna)
Playing Doom whilst tending to the grass is set to become a trend in the next few years as Husqvarna seeks to install 30,,000 of its mowers with gaming technology from April – the ordinary lawn-cutting functions are used to move your avatar around and shoot.
One of several Husqvarna robot lawnmowers that support the Doom installation - this one is the 450 Nera (photo: Husqvarna)
Etisalat And: Scarily-real 'customer care' robot, with facial expressions
Customer service jobs could become easier if Etisalat's hyper-real android becomes commonplace – employees can focus on the more technical aspects of assisting clients, whilst the droid does the 'meet and greet' and answers simple questions.
The Etisalat And, created by a key telecommunications company in the United Arab Emirates city of Abu Dhabi, interacts with visitors, maintains fluent conversation, answers questions in a calm and clear manner, and even accompanies its words with the appropriate facial and hand gestures.
The Etisalat And stand with its lifelike robot (photo: Press picture from Mwcbarcelona.com)
Perhaps it's a little too soon for most of the world to consider bringing into the everyday workplace, especially as many people legitimately fear their jobs could one day be carried out by AI-powered androids.
But a very small number have already been taken on by Spanish companies, and have proven the exact opposite: Robots can do the routine tasks, leaving human staff to focus on the more interesting bits of their profession. It was reported two years ago that a bar and restaurant in the northern Alicante-province town of Jávea had employed an 'android waiter', which greeted customers, showed them the menu, took orders and delivered food. Not only did the owners have no need to cut down on staff, but they were able to take on more real-life waiters: The humans were now able to spend time chatting to customers, interacting with them, describing the meals and explaining local culinary traditions, and giving that extra attention hard to offer in an establishment where table staff are constantly running around clearing up crockery, noting down requests and getting food and drink to diners within an efficient length of time.
