Paris tech show: New things with a lot of oldies

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The Viva Technology show, which has just concluded in Paris, was a mixture of old and new among the more than 1,600 booths of start-up companies.

Judging by the video footage supplied by AP, tech insiders were unlikely to be impressed by the many booths which exhibited all-too-familiar tricks.

One example was Pepper the robot, our years-old friend capable of doing vivid actions with her hi-tech arms. Her Japanese makers showed exactly the same thing at last year's World Robot Conference in Beijing. Check our live video here, in which we showcased Pepper and other robots.

Take also the remote-controlled ultrasound machine, which provided a less capable, but more plausible solution for remote hospitals. While it can't do remote surgery like the da Vinci Surgical System, it surely can get the examination done.

And think of it: Remote ultrasound does not require a lightning fast network like surgeries do. A bit of lag is OK as no one will get hurt. This safety assurance will make a lot of people more willing to try it.

Another relatively old technology is virtual fitting room. Stand in front of the screen, and the software will dress you in whatever you choose.

This tech is so cool that it has been already applied to a lot of real-life fashion shops. A Google search should easily lead you to the nearest one and you can experience it right now, if you haven't tried it yet.

Finally, there is one thing new to CGTN's technology editors: A wristband that acts like an earphone.

When you make phone calls with the band on, it can convert sound signals into vibrations that go through your wrist to the fingertips.

"So, when you place your fingertip to your ear, you can hear the sound," said Jean Kim from Innomdle Lab.

The tech behind this is not new. Similar usage can be found on all-screen smartphones with no earpieces on them. Earphone makers would call it "bone conduction."

But using it with such a sci-fi-style pose should earn some applause.

Viva Technology ran from May 24-26 at Paris Expo.