The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is a great barometer for the state of consumer tech. While it can be challenging to find value-adding products amidst the noise and hype, European startups are getting noticed for their problem-solving tech: 

Artha (France)

In collaboration with major associations and institutions, Artha has invented a product for low vision and blind people that is designed for them.

This device offers autonomy to visually impaired people, allowing them to develop a completely new perception of their environment. It consists of a mini-camera, clipped onto glasses, communicating the user’s 3D environment in haptic language.

 It is connected to a lumbar belt that tactilely reproduces these images on the back thanks to a built-in algorithm.

Li-ion Power (Netherlands)

Liion Power develops smart charging technologies aimed at extending the lifespan of lithium-ion batteries in electronic devices. Its flagship product, Leo, is a plug-and-play battery life extender that optimises charging patterns to enhance battery health.

 By managing charge limits, adjusting charging speeds, and scheduling breaks during charging, Leo can increase battery lifespan by up to 63 per cent. Leo is compatible with a wide range of USB-C devices, including smartphones, tablets, and headphones.

 With over 20 battery-powered devices in an average household, it has the unique potential to save billions of devices.

The company is a CES Innovation Awards Honoree in Sustainability & Energy/Power

cortiSense (Switzerland)

cortiSense by Nutrix AG is an at-home cortisol monitoring sensor designed to tackle and prevent stress and burnout effectively. 

Monitoring cortisol levels is helpful, as chronic stress and associated cortisol dysregulation can lead to various mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and burnout. High cortisol levels can trigger weight gain, particularly around the abdomen, by increasing appetite and shifting metabolism towards fat storage. For athletes, monitoring cortisol helps balance training and recovery, preventing burnout and boosting long-term performance.

Traditional cortisol monitoring involves multiple lab samples, but cortiSense simplifies this with a quick saliva test viewable on your smartphone. Integrated with the gSense Healthcare System platform, cortiSense offers real-time, actionable data. The company has two patents pending. 

SeaNXT (France)

SeaNXT showcases the SeaNXT Elite this week at CES, a French-made, electric underwater exploration scooter, engineered with advanced technology for unparalleled performance. 

Crafted from premium carbon fibre, the Elite is lightweight, modular, eco-friendly and designed for easy component replacement. It looks like a hell of a lot of fun! 

Only Cat (UK)

Cats want to show you their appreciation, but that often comes with unwanted gifts. 

OnlyCat specialises in producing advanced microchip cat flaps equipped with prey detection technology. The Ai-embedded flap identifies when a cat attempts to bring prey, such as mice or birds, into the home and temporarily locks, preventing the entry of unwanted “gifts.” 

Additionally, the device features app connectivity, allowing owners to monitor their cat’s activities, receive video notifications, and manage access controls remotely. 

MyWaves (UK)

Insomnia and poor quality sleep are a definite circle of hell. MyWaves has developed Pebble, a non-invasive device worn on the forehead during sleep to record delta brainwaves. These recordings are then processed through a patented algorithm known as neuro-acoustic transduction, converting the brain’s delta waves into personalised sleep sounds designed to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality.

Clinical trials conducted between March and December 2023 at the Center for Sleep and Vigilance of the Paris Hotel-Dieu Hospital (APHP) demonstrated that participants experienced a 20 per cent increase in REM sleep when using myWaves.