Game-Changing Innovations from Asia
| NS Weekly is a roundup of the latest Asian tech news. ‘NS’ is an acronym for NODESHORE, representing the N and S poles of a magnet. We gather news from across the globe and present it in an easy-to-read format. This series is published every Monday at 5 p.m. |
A flying car takes off: China’s Xpeng Aeroht
ㆍXpeng Aeroht, a subsidiary of Xiaopeng Motors, unveiled its flying car at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, marking the company’s international debut in this futuristic market. The vehicle consists of a two-seat flying module for low-altitude travel and a four-seat, six-wheeled module for ground use.
ㆍWith mass production expected to begin in 2026, China aims to leverage its electric vehicle expertise to stay ahead in the flying car industry, which is still in its early stages but gaining traction globally.
AI-Powered smart spice dispenser: Israeli Spicerr
ㆍIsraeli startup Spicerr showcased its AI-powered seasoning system at CES 2025, allowing users to create personalized seasoning blends for over 50 dishes. The system includes a six-powder mix, featuring essentials like pepper, salt, and paprika, that can be adjusted through an app to suit individual tastes.
ㆍThe AI-powered app not only helps users achieve the perfect seasoning ratio but also learns from their preferences to suggest customized recipes. Spicerr aims to bring Gordon Ramsay-level flavor to home kitchens, tailored to each user’s unique palate.
AI Coffee Blending: Japan’s Mihatama
ㆍJapanese startup Mihatama unveiled an AI-powered coffee blending machine at CES 2025, capable of mixing five different coffee beans based on user preferences. The machine uses a smartphone app with a pentagonal graph that lets users adjust acidity, bitterness, and consistency to create their perfect cup.
ㆍThe machine takes just three seconds to grind and blend the beans according to customized settings. The AI technology recognizes the beans from different compartments and can save personalized flavor profiles to ensure users get their favorite blend every time.
AI-Generated K-Pop: South Korea’s STRA
ㆍSouth Korean startup STRA showcased KPopPro, an AI music platform that allows users to record their voice for 90 seconds and transform it into a K-pop song that sounds like it was sung by them. The platform has already attracted 140,000 users across 10 countries and created around 26,000 songs.
ㆍBeyond music, STRA’s AI technology is also being applied to dub Korean videos into Chinese or English, providing an affordable solution for content creators who cannot hire professional voice actors. This expansion aims to help creators localize content more efficiently for global audiences.
AI-Powered Smart Yoga Mat: Japan’s Yocto
ㆍJapanese startup Yocto introduced a smart yoga mat that helps users perfect their poses when practicing yoga independently. The mat connects to a tablet that displays color-coded feedback based on the pressure applied — green for balanced posture and red for uneven pressure.
ㆍThe AI-powered mat analyzes the user’s center of gravity and provides personalized posture corrections in real time. It also tracks the user’s progress and reminds them of specific correction tasks, making it easier to improve yoga form without the need for a personal instructor.
