Enchanted Tools had a stand at IFA 2023 in the Robot Hall. The Parisian start up fuses robotic technology and animation creating artificial life based on approachability rather than intimidation.
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Author: Editor
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A Robot Named EEVE
During IFA 2023 while walking around I saw the EEVE in the IFA Next Hall. What came to my mind, “I’ve seen this before?”
I had a quick talk with founder with Wesley Lorrez. The Belgium born explained the design influence of the Garden mower cam from a Pixar film. As Lorrez told me WALL-E was the inspiration behind the grass cutter. Instead of something industrial, he and his team focused on expression instead of complete functionality. A fan of Steve Jobs and Elon Musk, the startup head wanted to create a different type of gardening robot. EEVE was developed in Waregem, Belgium.
Instead of just being a tool, the intelligent mower with green puppy eyes, EEVE could become a part of the family.
With the ability to learn the landscape after one demonstration. Instead of obtrusive noise associated with mowers, the four blades run silent under the three wheeled AI device. The 4K camera allows the user to have a POV.
EEVE makes mowing the grass a cuter experience.
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More from IFA 2023
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Tech Highlights from IFA 2023
IFA 2023 had some curious devices on display. The Global tech event never disappoints for debuting newest and sometimes curious gadgets that may or may not be in a store near you.
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The IFA 2023 Breakdown
IFA Berlin 2023 closed on September 5th. The annual technology event is a go to not only for seeing the latest gadgets but also for tech trends. The 99th edition shook off the post Covid malaise from the previous year. 130,000 square meters were sold out with brands and companies from around the world. Since 1924 IFA has been about the latest consumer devices.
This time around, the word “innovation” came across as diluted. Nothing on display in the 26 halls felt as a “must have” product or service. Instead, there were improvements and new features added to appliances, cameras inside of ovens, apps for operating washing machines, lights on vacuums,
while not Earth shattering, connivence comes to mind.
I missed the memo on these: Robot cleaners, solar panels and batteries were front and center. It’s startling the number of companies producing the same products. Some displayed side by side.
Many big consumer electronic names were missing this year the attention turned to lesser known if not obscure labels. A big takeaway from this IFA, Chinese OEM’s on a mission to becoming brands. In the past they were regulated to just making products, no longer, brand building is on the agenda at lower prices with products ranging from headphones to washing machines.
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Many top brands at IFA had to have felt being the Belle of the Ball. It is one thing to copy but a level of disrespect to come to a hall with power point list and brazenly check over a product, even using a tape measure. Even placing a head and camera in an oven to make video of the interior. Maybe it is time for a professional code of conduct at trade fairs.Intellectual Property means nothing in some regions but for companies spending on research and development and IP is a valued asset.
I had the feeling “App overkill” is a reality for household appliances. Some features I found useless. Do consumers really need a control to operate an appliance while driving to work?
Brands have decided to champion sustainability by making some parts available to third parties for repair. Consumers grown used to a disposable technology may not be ready to wait for a repair man. Extending device life cycles was an interesting if not, contradictory topic. Technology sales are based on volume for profitability. How can companies marry less consumption with high sales?
IFA 2023 showed a consumer goods world in flux. Technology has winners and losers. Picking the winning side has gotten harder.
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Robot Stories Preview
At IFA 2023 there was a preview of robots. Will these mechanical creations be on the streets or in our houses soon?
We have an upcoming podcast from a tech start up on the future uses of robotic technology.
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Feeling #Vindicated
I have no pleasure in Carlo Chatrian’s abrupt departure. The Swiss native is a cinema enthusiasts. During my interview with the former Locarno Film Festival head, I found him to be engaging, positive and passionate about the cinematic art form. After taking the helm in Berlin in 2020 following the departure of Kosslick, Carlo seemed a right fit to elevate the event into the same leagues as the Cannes and Venice fests. Skeptical thoughts came to my mind cause of Chatrian’s intellectual demeanour. The German capital’s institutions are not known for easy change especially headed by outsiders. After having my accreditation rejected cause of the Chat Cinema Podcast critiquing the Berlinale, this is an organisation resistant to even listening. Now, I feel vindicated.
As I was attending an event on Saturday September 2nd, suddenly a push notification came on my phone, “Resignation” at the Berlinale. Another one! Following Mariette Rissenbeek’s earlier exit, the dual in charge of one of the world’s biggest film festival checked out. Statements have been flying from the Ministry of Culture about only wanting one creative head.
With his contract over in 2024, the search is on for a new creative director. The Berlinale will continue, the question is who would want to head the February Festival?
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Nokia goes Affordable
Nokia was once the undisputed king of the mobile phone market, with a market share of over 50% in 2008. However, the company was slow to adapt to the rise of smartphones, and by 2013, its market share had fallen to just 3%.
In 2014, Nokia sold its handset business to Microsoft. HMD Global, a Finnish company, then acquired the rights to use the Nokia brand on smartphones. HMD has since released a number of Nokia-branded smartphones, but they have yet to make a significant impact on buyers.
The Specs and Why
The G60 5G is Nokia’s mid price smartphone packed with premium qualities.
The specs are:
6.58 inch display
128 GB internal storage
Android Operating System
Front and rear cameras
Pros:
- Good user experience
- Long battery life
- Fast charging
- Sustainable design
Cons:
- Camera can be slow to focus in low light
- Pro mode can be slow to configure
- Design is not as distinctive as some older Nokia phones
As far as the user experience, fine, reactive and smooth. Downloading and using apps was instant without complications. Battery life is good. I was able to recharge quickly.
Camera quality is good not great in the auto mode, it took a few times to get the proper focus. In challenging light situations I needed patients. There is a pro-mode gives the user more control but takes too much time to configure for a fast shot. Portrait mode, take it on leave it.
Being a Nordic company, Nokia designed and produced the device with strong sustainability credentials. Many parts of the G60 are made from recycled parts. The packaging is all from recycled materials.
On the “cool factor” not so much of a reaction from friends and family. The ubiquitous rectangular candy bar shaped smartphone is a far cry from the Nokia’s glorious past design philosophy when models had strong character. Today the company is about functionality and sturdy devices over distinctive looks.
Overall, I think the Nokia G60 5G is a good phone for the price. It has a few drawbacks, but it also has a lot on the table. If you are looking for an affordable 5G phone with good sustainability credentials, then I would recommend considering this one.
IFA 2023, check out all our coverage and news from the big tech event here.
Prometheus gave man fire, and the Gods were not happy. Oppenheimer, the latest Christopher Nolan Film, is a war drama based on the Los Alamos Project, the race to acquire the Atomic Bomb. Based on the book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of Robert J. Oppenheimer, the $100 million production follows Oppenheimer and his science team’s development of the ultimate weapon.
Cillian Murphy gets promoted from Nolan supporting player to lead as the conflicted egocentric work driven project head. The Irish actor makes of the most of his screen time by playing the man on an intense mission, unheeding the future consequences until too late. Emily Brunt as the bottle dependent Mrs. Oppenheimer had to have watched Deborah Kerr’s 1953 perfromance in the film From Here to Eternity for reference, drawing on the cruelty of her marital situation.
Robert Downey Jr clearly has set his eyes on the Oscar Nomination playing Opeenheimer’s intellectual inferior yet cunning adversary Lewis Strauss. Mat Damon as General Lesile Groves comes across as forced, a blustering perfomance in a military uniform that was too big for the wearer.
What Actor would turn down a call from one of the top directors of his time? Clearly none. Nolan assembled top talent and names for the above the line ensemble, but there laid the problem. The key supporting characters intricately involved in the plot were overshadowed, forgotten. Bennie Safdie as a H-Bomb developer Edward Teller and Sadie Stratton as Mary Washburn had screen time, why? It is a case of wasting talent, not performances, rather, stock pieces.
Oppenheimer is dazzling film making on many levels, yet at times dazzling dullish, dazzling flawed and dazzling overwrought. At 180 minutes, Nolan’s screenplay kept the tension tight while seemingly going in small circles. Production values are top, camera work, editing and sound departments will certainly attend the upcoming technical awards ceremonies.
At a time when movie goers are experince super hero fatigue Oppenheimer shows audience want more than men in tights. Mr. Nolan gains praise for his work.
Instead of the giving Oppenheimer the title of Prometheus, perhaps Empimetheus, the God of Afterthought, would be a better. After all, The Greek Titan had the key to the Pandoras box. Look what happened we he gave it away.
Oppenheimer earns 3 out of 4 stars.
Clipper Inspired covers time in this episode from Glashütte Germany. The Saxony town is the timepiece production of the country with history of watch production dating back over 170 years.
Michael Hammer talks about the watch museum’s historical collection and heritage.
