"OMG, stop everything, there's no need to invent anything else," was what we said when we got to the eCoupled stand at CES. And when you see these photos and video, we're sure you'll agree.
Fulton Innovation -- don't worry, we hadn't heard of them either -- is out here in Vegas demonstrating wireless charging tech that has blown our tiny, gambling-addled minds. Its fabulous packaging uses induction power to create, among lots of other things, some of the most amazing cereal boxes we've ever seen, which can illuminate in stages to create an eye-catching effect.
But it's not just eye-candy either, because the technology can also be used to power toys and other items to give a battery-free demonstration. The company also had a pack of Energiser batteries that were being charged on its magical induction shelf, ready for you to buy and use straight away.
As if this wasn't enough, the company also had a can of soup which had a heating coil built in to the packaging. Place this on its specially designed kitchen surface and the soup will cook in the pack, as per the manufacturer's instructions. No more microwave explosions, just hot, perfectly warmed soup.
The kitchen environment also has the ability to communicate with other devices, including blenders and saucepans, to cook food based on a pre-defined recipe. It's the future, that much is certain. Click through our images above to find out more.
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Comments 16
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Anonymous 7 January, 2011 12:19
Its one possible future, not 'the' future. There might well be scenarios that these devices would be useful in and they may find niche, but its far from certain.
anonymous 7 January, 2011 13:35
It's THE FUTURE we tells ya!
DocBrown 7 January, 2011 16:56
I've been to the future and this technology is everywhere.
anonymous 7 January, 2011 18:14
We are living in the future!
Anonymous 10 January, 2011 21:39
I saw this at CES and it freakin' blew me away..when you talk to them about the inventory management end of it on top of the other uses it is truly amazing
Anonymous 10 January, 2011 21:50
AWESOME idea, but our power grid is screwed if we have to run MORE wiring throughout our infrastucture. What about charging electric cars while they sit parked in their parking spaces?
Anonymous 11 January, 2011 07:12
Should have done this with the new
T R O N
cereal...and it would've been cool.
kids could cut-out the 'light-cycles' and play with them.
Anonymous 11 January, 2011 20:34
just another product which helps to increase the heat.. remember global warming guys...
Anonymous 13 January, 2011 19:34
Love the idea of adding all this e-waste to the landfills just so you can have a fancy cereal box or god forbid heat up some soup manually - where does the packaging go when you are done with it??
Anonymous 13 January, 2011 20:07
How about, instead of concentrating on devising new, land-fill feeding packaging, you make better products. Not to mention, half the garbage being peddled out there isn't even worthy of "light-up" packaging. I have enough trouble getting my daughter's frikkin' La La Loopsie doll out of the 500 layers of kevlar plastic and wire ties to get to a useless piece of plastic crap that will end up on my curb in a box as it is. Now it lights up? How much extra will that cost us? Just give me my damn merchandise and stop with the shenanigans.
Anonymous 13 January, 2011 20:22
From what I can tell, this is a ploy to get people to retool, and buy new shelves for in their grocery stores. A lot of cost that might be a bit out there for a lot of retailers who are struggling.
anonymous 18 January, 2011 07:04
This technology is awesome! I think there are definitely many application for this type of technology!! Looking forward to see my cereal box light up next time I go shopping at the supermarket!
anonymous 19 January, 2011 16:06
Funtabulous!!
Anonymous 1 February, 2011 08:05
Interesting they didn't mention Effeciency factor. Perchaps it is quite low. AFAIU, not better than cooking on open fire.
Anonymous 7 February, 2011 18:31
How much RF energy would we be subjected to when walking up and down the aisles of such an outfitted establishment?
No thanks! I'll keep those axtra 20 years and go shop across the street at a little place called, "Mom and Pop's".
anonymous 18 October, 2012 09:11
Our packaging wants to develop this technology, how to get the contact information