The tweeting bra and other strange contraptions

MANILA, Philippines – 1960s animated series The Jetsons envisioned a future with flying cars and robotic nannies. More than fifty years later, books, televisions, refrigerators, ovens, washing machines, toilets, and home security systems all have internet-connected and automated versions.

While having a robot housekeeper like Rosie might not yet be in the cards for most people, several household appliances are being developed to ease the burden of daily household chores.

Some refrigeratiors are now health managers with the power to help maintain diets, monitor grocery supplies, and even work in tandem with a smart oven, to which it can send recipes.

Washing machines, vacuum cleaners and other cleaning appliances may now be controlled wirelessly, bringing multitasking to a different level.

Home surveillance and security systems may already be accessed anytime, anywhere, through the owner’s smartphone. 

Rappler lists down everyday objects you wouldn’t believe have already been made “smarter” by technology.

1. Toothbrushes

A modern breakthrough in oral health care comes in the form of the first Internet-connected toothbrush, unveiled at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

French-based startup Kolibree developed a toothbrush with a built-in sensor, which detects how much tartar has been removed in a brushing. It also records brushing activity so users can maintain a consistent cleaning each time.

The device conveys the information wirelessly to a smartphone app which tells users if they have missed hard-to-clean areas or are not getting a thorough brushing.

2. Pet food bowls

Feed and Go, an Internet-connected food bowl, lets busy pet owners remotely feed and monitor their furry pals from anywhere. The automated bowl is complete with a function that allows owners to record their unique way of calling their pets and an integrated webcam that allows owners to see their pets while chowing down on their favorite kibble.

A smartphone app and the website accessible through any smartphone or tablet also allows pet owners to control and schedule 6 rotating food trays.

Pintofeed, a similar gadget also sends alerts through Twitter and Facebook.

3. Glasses

Ever wished your eyes could take snapshots or recordings of your memories? Augmented reality eyewear Google Glass promises that and more. See directions and measure distances and objects like a superhuman. Send messages, ask questions, get answers, and see them unfold right before your eyes.

See it to believe it. 

4. Underwear

Each time Greek actress Maria Bacodimou unclasps her one-of-a-kind bra, it sends a live tweet through a special mechanism in the clasp.

But what in the world would a bra tweet about?

Whenever the tweeting bra is unclasped, it reminds the public to do self-breast examinations as part of a breast cancer awareness campaign by Nestle Fitness.

Hey girl, I checked your to-do list and I think you missed something REALLY important: your breast self-exam! #tweetingbra

— TweetingBra (@tweetingbra) November 30, 2013

As of writing, the bra has sent over 160 tweets and has gathered 6,612 followers.

Unfortunately, the world’s first and only media-savvy undergarment remains solely for health awareness and is not for sale.

See the Tweeting Bra in action here:

– with reports from Agence France-Presse/Rappler.com