Look! No hands! Lenovo's new concept laptop can tilt and twist all on its own, thanks to the power of AI.
You can swap Lenovo's latest concept PC with your voice or have its screen track you with AI.
What you need to know
- Lenovo showed off a concept PC at IFA 2024 that can open and rotate on its own.
- The Lenovo Auto Twist AI PC can switch to different modes by following voice commands or be set to follow your face.
- With AI, the laptop can keep its display in the optimal viewing angle for a user, even if that person stands up or moves around.
- Lenovo also unveiled several devices at IFA 2024 that will be available for purchase, including its new "Aura Edition" laptops.
Forget passing the one-hand open test. Lenovo has a new concept PC that can be opened without the use of any hands. The Lenovo Auto Twist AI PC is a proof of concept device that features a screen that can tilt, open up, and twist without needing to be touched. You can command the display of the laptop with your voice or it can track you with cameras to keep the screen facing you.
While you won't be able to purchase an auto-twisting laptop from Lenovo any time soon, the PC maker showed off a working concept at IFA 2024. While some concept PCs fail to see the light of day, such as Razer's gaming laptop with three screens that got stolen, manufacturers often use lessons from concept hardware to shape devices that ship to the public. For example, parts of the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold were first seen in proof of concept hardware.
If you're more interested in devices that will appear on store shelves, Lenovo announced two new "Aura Edition" laptops powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processors.
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Who is this for?
When I first saw the Lenovo Auto Twist AI PC, I wondered who would want such a device. We've seen flipping and twisting laptops before, which I understand the value of, but I wasn't sure about the automated aspect of Lenovo's concept. But after speaking with a few folks and watching some hands-on videos, I can see the appeal of an automated laptop like this, even if it isn't for everyone.
Teachers or presenters who often stand up and move around their desk would benefit from a laptop screen following them around and staying at an optimal viewing angle. Lenovo also highlighted the ergonomic benefits of a screen that changes its angle to make it easier to look at. While the concept laptop has "twist" in its name, the screen of the PC can also tilt, which is important when aiming to reduce neck strain.
For those that don't want their PC tracking their every move, the option to control the laptop with voice is a nice option. It would probably be a bit awkward in a crowded office, but I think most would let any awkwardness lie if a laptop moving during a meeting was useful and made it easier to share content.
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He's covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean's journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
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HeyCori I like the concept but I bet that if/when it gets released, it's going to have a 13" screen or bigger. I'd rather have something the size of the Surface Go so it's something I would actually want to use as a tablet.Reply -
John McIlhinney I can see how the face tracking could be useful for some and the voice commands might be useful for people with disabilities but it's pretty slow to change mode so this would definitely be a niche product. If it's no more expensive than similar conventional laptops then many would still buy it and just ignore those features after initially playing with them but I don't see the market of people who'd pay extra for them being too big.Reply