Tens of thousands of people are flocking to the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain this week. While the show is focused on the latest smartphone news, the event also gives attendees a glimpse of other off-beat inventions and prototypes from tech start-ups hoping to find a deal for their products. Here's a look at some of those innovations.
Paper Programming
Interactive paper toys fitted onto a robot that is controlled by an app to help children learn programming. Aimed at children as young as eight years old, the Kamibot robot can be covered with paper-made “skins” to turn it into a variety of characters, including Dracula, Frankenstein, and several popular figures in Korea. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
3D Food Printer
Natural Machines co-founder Lynette Kucsma insisted her company hadn’t replicated Star Trek’s “food synthesizer” that made munchies appear at Captain Kirk’s mere command. But they sure have come pretty close with their 3D food printer. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Magic Drawings
Via the Chromville app, kids can interact with the image to study basic science. For example, the solar system lets them explore the planets, a laboratory teaches the states of water and the human body details the skeleton. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Eye Typing
Irisbond has now made it way easier to write with our sight. Instead of needing a special camera, typing on a computer can now be done with the Irisbond eye-tracking app. Co-founder and CEO Eduardo Jauregui said the app, which can work with standard smartphone cameras, is designed for disabled users. But, he said it could also be helpful for professionals, like surgeons, who may have limited use of their hands. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)