If youve been to one of Dot Medias events, youll know that our Innovation Lab hosts companies presenting cutting-edge technology thats poised to transform the market with groundbreaking ideas and solutions.

In that spirit, weve taken a step beyond the world of apps, ads and handsets with slightly bigger screens, in order to share some of the tech worlds most innovative ideas. They might be interesting, disruptive or just outright strange, but these are the stories that have caught our eye over the past week.

Microsoft Hires Robotic Security Guards for Parking Lots

As one of the premier technology companies on the planet, youd expect Microsoft to be seeking out cutting-edge solutions to everyday problems, and their newest staff hiring is just that. The firm has installed a fleet of robots to patrol its Silicon Valley campus, seeking out stolen cars and other security risks.

The five-foot tall, 300-pound K5 robots are made by Californian company Knightscope, and are packed with HD cameras, sensors and artificial intelligence software that sounds alarms if the robot notices something suspicious.

The robots dont have any weapons, but they are reasonably autonomous, lasting 24 hours between 20 minute charges, and able to navigate to charging ports when they run low. There are even plans to equip future models with tasers.

Worlds Most Advanced Mood Ring Monitors Stress, Anxiety and More

The Moodmetric smart ring unveiled at this weeks Slush conference in Finland is considerably more advanced than the heat-reactive gems you find in gift-stores and arcades. The ring includes a biological sensor that tracks the wearers galvanic skin response, monitoring how the body responds to psychological and physical arousal.

While it doesnt change colour to match your mood, it can transmit data to a smartphone app, which interprets relaxation and stress levels, with the aim of helping people better manage stress and anxiety.

Jaguar justDrive System Connects Apps with Voice Control

Tailored for use with the car manufacturers InControl infotainment platform, Jaguars justDrive connectivity app bundles programs like Twitter, Stitcher and Spotify together with a hand-free, voice-activated system that aims to improve connectivity and reduce distractions simultaneously.

“This moves the driver from the task-oriented, app-specific touch-based use of individual apps, to full control of all chosen app content through plain natural speech or touch interface,” said Dr Wolfgang Epple, director of research and technology for Jaguar Land Rover.

Live Out Your James Bond Fantasies With a Laserwatch

Fitness tracking and notifications are all well and good, but really what we all want from a hi-tech watch is the ability to melt through plastic and ignite matches at a distance. Luckily, laser enthusiast Patrick Priebe has you covered with his Laserwatch.

While the custom-built timepiece isnt going to be in stores any time soon, the wrist-worn device should only cost about $300 (£191) if built on commission, and includes a metal body, digital display and 1500-milliwatt laser that can burst balloons and cut tape from afar.

Intelligent Frying Pan Puts an End to Burnt Food

The Pantelligent smart frying pan, currently seeking funding on Kickstarter, is the latest in the line of connected appliances to hit the market. The pan includes a temperature sensor embedded inside that communicates with an accompanying app, guiding you through the cooking process based on heat and time.

While the app only includes 50 recipes, it also enables users to enter their own, complete with temperatures and times, and share them with other owners. The app even adapts cooking instructions based on the thickness of ingredients, to ensure they are cooked perfectly every time.

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