TIME’s 25 best inventions of 2017 are a mixture of fun little gadgets like the fidget spinner, a DIY cooking companion called Tasty One Top, and delicious treats like Halo Top ice cream. What is surprising, however, is that most of the inventions from the list this year are either a product of computer science research or have been greatly influenced by it.
Here are some examples:
- Jibo – A robot that “experiences the world and reacts with expressive movements and responses.” While that technology may seem merely amusing (or creepy), it could as TIME points out be fundamentally reshaping the way we interact with machines.
- eSight 3– A powerful pair of glasses that records high definition video and uses magnification, contrast, and proprietary algorithms to enhance imagery into something that the legally blind can see. This allows them to partake in activities, such as sports, that would otherwise be off-limits.
- Apple iPhone X– It has been said that this phone is the world’s most sophisticated smartphone, with a screen that stretches from edge to edge, a processor optimized for augmented reality, and a camera smart enough to allow users to unlock the phone with their face.
- Tesla Model 3– This car is designed to attain the highest safety ratings in every category and achieves 220 miles on a single charge and it starts at only $35,000.
- Willow Pump– A portable, wearable breast pump for moms on the go. This pump is battery-powered, quiet, and small enough that women can slip it into their bras and pump whenever they want.
To see the other twenty inventions, check out the full list here.