8 Cool IoT Sensors And Devices That Stole The Show At CES 2021

A look at the most noteworthy IoT sensors and devices at CES 2021, with applications ranging from security and home health monitoring to access control and environmental monitoring.

For Security, Home Health Monitoring, Access Control And More

The Internet of Things was alive and kicking at this year’s CES, even with the absence of physical venues in which these “things” are typically seen and experienced.

While smart home devices were aplenty at CES 2021, there were also just a lot of cool IoT devices and IoT sensors in general at the virtual show, and that includes both components meant to go inside other devices and products that are meant for use right out of the box.

Among the coolest IoT devices and sensors were a glowing IoT gateway supporting hand gestures, mini security sensors and other kinds of connected devices that can be used for a multitude of reasons, from access control to home health monitoring.

What follows are eight cool IoT sensors and devices that stole the show at this year’s CES.

AiS Multitool Sensor

The AiS Multitool sensor brings together multiple sensors and smart home controls into one device, making it the “Swiss Army knife” of sensors, according to the vendor, Direct Smarter Technology. The device connects with a smartphone and comes with a total of 12 sensors, which can detect fire, tilting, vibration, humidity, glass breaking and daylight, among other things. It also comes with four smart home control functions for controlling, securing and monitoring a property. In addition, the device can be used to control electrical devices directly. It’s available for $198.

Bio Kiosk

The Bio Kiosk is a new lobby phone-style biometric authentication concept from smart home and security vendor ConMax that is meant to serve as an access control interface for buildings. The appliance comes with multiple authentication methods, thanks to sensors and HD cameras, including by face, iris, palm and fingerprint. The appliance can also measure body temperature in under a second and detect if users are wearing face coverings. Details on availability and pricing were not available.

DiCE Smart

DiCE SMART is an IoT gateway that can be controlled through hand gestures. Plus, it can illuminate different colors, either for aesthetic purposes or to indicate new statuses from connected smart home devices. The gateway allows users to control and monitor smart home devices, and it supports interoperability with many certified Zigbee products. The gateway comes with different kinds of sensors depending on the bundle configuration. The air sensor, for instance, can monitor air quality by measuring temperature, humidity and volatile organic compounds and prompt the gateway to light up certain colors to indicate changes. The gateway’s illuminated colors can also be customized for aesthetic purposes. Details on availability and pricing were not available.

Mimic Go

Mimic Go is a portable security device that can be affixed to surfaces or standalone items and sound an alarm when it detects any movement. This means the Mimic Go can be used to monitor fixed locations, like a table or couch, or individual items, like a laptop or purse. The device does not use cameras, microphones or GPS; instead, it relies on an accelerometer, magnetometer, temperature sensor and motion sensor to detect changes in surroundings. It can be configured via smartphone app to send alerts and sound alarms when changes are noticed by these sensors. One Mimic Go costs $89.

Mini-H

The mini-H is a small high-resolution 60 GHz IoT radar sensor that can be used for elderly care, home automation and telehealth applications. The sensor, from sensor maker Bitsensing, can detect presence, movement, breathing, falls and gestures, even with clothes or blankets, and it can operate in dark or wet places. The sensor, which can be mounted to a wall, measures at 50 by 50 millimeters, roughly twice the size of a U.S. dollar coin, and it comes with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Details on pricing and availability were not available.

Oval

Oval is an all-in-one sensor that sends real-time alerts for theft, water leaks and other sudden or gradual changes in surroundings. The tiny device has sensors for light, humidity, temperature, motion and water, and it can send alerts when small or big changes are detected by those sensors, making it a versatile product that can serve multiple purposes. The device comes with a smartphone app that allows users to set thresholds and conditions for when alerts are sent. The device requires an Oval hub, which can connect to up to 15 Oval sensors and supports integration with Amazon Alexa, Google Home and IFTTT for smart home automation. Two Oval sensors and one Oval hub costs $199 while a single Oval sensor costs $79. They are now available at Amazon.

Wagz Freedom Smart Dog Collar

The Wagz Freedom Smart Dog Collar is a wearable for dog collars with real-time GPS tracking and no-shock geofence containment technology that aims to make it easy to keep track of dogs. The wearable’s no-shock geofence containment technology makes use of audible, ultrasonic and vibration corrections to ensure the dog stays with a customized geofence, which can be set with the companion smartphone app. The app can also be used to set off-limit areas. Beyond providing real-time GPS tracking and geofencing enforcement, the collar provides activity tracking, ambient temperature alerts and health and fitness updates. The collar is waterproof and comes with a spare rechargeable battery for a full day of use. The Wagz Freedom Smart Dog Collar costs $199.99 and requires a data subscription, which costs $99.99 yearly or $9.99 monthly.

XENSIV PAS CO2 Sensor

The XENSIV PAS CO2 is a tiny CO2 sensor that is four times smaller and three times lighter than existing solutions, giving OEMs the ability to make smaller devices or pack more components into devices. The manufacturer, Infineon Technologies, said the CO2 sensor is state of the art and can detect CO2 levels at ppm level, making it a good fit for HAV applications and demand-controlled ventilation. The sensor comes with a dedicated microcontroller and configuration options that make it “one of the most versatile plug-and-play CO2 sensors on the market,” according to Infineon. The sensor will be available through distributors by the second half of 2021.