The Weirdest Gadgets Unveiled at IFA 2025
Key Points
- SenseRobot on the X Sense stand plays chess, moving pieces with an arm and a camera.
- Aivive's AI ironing machine blasts garments with high‑speed air to flatten creases in about ninety seconds.
- Petgugu's self‑flushing cat toilet discards waste, washes litter, and resets automatically.
- Eufy MarsWalker carries robot vacuums up and down stairs, eliminating manual transport.
- Switchbot's Noa and Niko are AI companion robots that recognize users and display emotions.
IFA 2025 showcased a parade of off‑beat technology, from a chess‑playing robot on the X Sense stand to an AI‑driven ironing machine that blasts garments with high‑speed air. A self‑flushing cat toilet from Petgugu promised litter‑free living, while Eufy introduced a stair‑climbing robot that ferries vacuums between floors. Switchbot rounded out the lineup with AI companion robots Noa and Niko, designed solely for companionship. The show highlighted how AI and robotics are venturing into niche, sometimes whimsical, consumer products.
Chess‑Playing Robot on the X Sense Stand
The X Sense exhibit featured a sea of robots poised over chess and checkers boards. Approaching one of the devices revealed the SenseRobot, a machine that physically moves pieces with an arm while a camera monitors the board. When a user presses “Go,” the robot engages in a match, but rather than dominate, it occasionally sacrifices a bishop for a pawn, offering a surprisingly modest challenge.
AI Ironing Machine from Aivive
Aivive presented an AI‑powered ironing system that promises to dry and press a single garment in roughly ninety seconds. The device propels air at speeds comparable to a cruising commercial jet, flattening creases in a rapid blast. Marketed for high‑end venues such as luxury department stores, airport lounges, and upscale hotels, the machine aims to replace traditional ironing with a fast, hands‑free alternative.
Self‑Flushing Cat Toilet by Petgugu
Petgugu’s self‑flushing cat toilet connects directly to a home’s sewage system, eliminating the need for manual scooping. After a cat uses the litter box, the unit discards waste, washes the litter, and resets for the next visit. Features include a spacious interior for larger felines, a fifteen‑liter litter storage capacity, and infrared and weight sensors that prevent cleaning cycles while a cat remains inside.
Stair‑Climbing Robot for Vacuums – Eufy MarsWalker
Eufy introduced the MarsWalker, a robot designed solely to transport robot vacuums up and down stairs. The vacuum parks inside the MarsWalker, which then ascends the stairs, releases the vacuum on the upper level, and later returns it to the lower floor. This auxiliary robot addresses the common frustration of vacuums getting stuck at stair edges, allowing multi‑story homes to benefit from automated cleaning without manual intervention.
AI Companion Robots from Switchbot – Noa and Niko
Switchbot unveiled two AI‑driven companion robots named Noa and Niko. These devices wander homes, greet occupants, and display arm movements that convey emotions such as happiness, sadness, or jealousy. They can recognize individual family members, respond to gestures, and learn household routines, offering purely social interaction without practical functionality.