The Future Arrived at CES 2026

Artificial intelligence has become a tangible reality.

With the launch of the Consumer Electronics ShowAt CES 2026 in Las Vegas, it became clear that the tech world had entered a completely new phase. Artificial intelligence was the most prominent term, but its meaning had fundamentally changed. The discussion was no longer about separate applications, cloud services, or theoretical digital features; the era of AI as a standalone product had come to an end.

This year, artificial intelligence (AI) emerged as an invisible force driving a new generation of physical systems. From robots and self-driving vehicles to smart home devices and even the management of global sporting events, the biggest announcements centered on machines capable of perception, decision-making, and direct interaction with the real world. AI has moved beyond the cloud and become part of our daily lives, and the implications of this transformation are far greater than anticipated..

Here are five notable advertisements fromCES 2026 embodies this radical shift from digital innovation to physical application.

 

1. Robots are finally maturing… and moving on their own two legs.

The robots bid farewell inCES 2026 broke away from its traditional image as a limited, pre-programmed showcase. This year, we witnessed genuine advancements in three key areas: dynamic movement, reliable control precision, and specialized home functionality. It wasn't just a visual display; it was a demonstration of practical capabilities applicable to everyday life.

The company submittedUnitree is a notable example, with robots that performed seamless, continuous movements combining walking, turning, and upper body use, demonstrating a clear ability to correct balance while in motion. In another direction, companies like Sharp and LG focused on reliability and control. Sharp showcased a robotic hand stable enough for academic research, while LG trained its "Cloi" robot on tens of thousands of hours of home data, prioritizing safety over speed.

But the biggest surprise came fromRoborock unveiled its Saros Rover cleaning robot, equipped with articulated arms and wheels that allow it to climb stairs and clean them simultaneously. While still a prototype, it represents a significant leap forward in the design of home cleaning robots. Given the prices of the company's previous advanced models, it is expected to be expensive, but it heralds a new era of home robots capable of adapting to complex environments much faster than anticipated.

 

2. Nvidia is almost ignoring gamers… in search of a bigger bet

One of the biggest surprises of the show came from Nvidia, not in what they announced, but in what they omitted. Unusually, the company didn't reveal any new graphics cards from its series.GeForce is designed for gamers.

Instead, CEO Jensen Huang's keynote focused almost entirely on AI infrastructure, robotics, autonomous vehicles, and giant data center platforms. The overarching theme of the presentation was the explicit move toward operating machines that interact directly with the physical world..

Huang repeatedly used the term “physical artificial intelligence,” a clear indication of a profound strategic shift. The message was direct: Nvidia’s future lies not in building stunning virtual worlds, but in powering intelligent systems that perceive and interact with reality. This is a remarkable transformation for a company whose reputation has historically been built on the loyalty of its gaming community..

 

3. Your next companion could be a $64 pet robot.

Companion robots have begun to seriously make their way into the broader consumer market. A prime example of this was the presentationSwitchBot for “Kata Friends” robots, which are devices similar to Furby toys but equipped with wheels and smart capabilities, such as facial recognition, responding to gestures, and understanding simple emotional signals.

But the most striking element wasn't the features, it was the price. These robots were launched in Japan for around 10,000 yen, or just about $64. This pricing reflects a clear trend of moving away from luxury products and building an entirely new consumer category..

This trend was not isolated; it was presentedRazer unveiled a physical version of its Project Ava gaming assistant, while Lepro Amy revealed a device it describes as an "AI-powered soulmate." This is no longer just experimentation; it's the beginning of a full-fledged market for AI companions, accessible to a wide range of users.

 

4. Artificial intelligence goes under the radar… and runs the World Cup

One of the most impactful announcements of the show passed with remarkable quietude, reflecting how artificial intelligence has become an invisible, essential infrastructure. Lenovo and FIFA announced a partnership for the 2026 World Cup..

The partnership includes the use of artificial intelligence technologies to create accurate 3D digital models of players, used in remote television replays and video assistant referee (VAR) tools. These models will be physically accurate to the point of mimicking a player's real height and movement, giving referees and viewers a clearer view in crucial moments..

This announcement marks a significant turning point, as artificial intelligence in computer vision moves from being a mere entertainment tool to a fundamental element in managing one of the world's largest sporting events..

 

5. 24-hour battery life is no longer a dream in the world of laptops.

In a direct move to challenge the dominanceIn the laptop market, AMD is competing with Intel, which has announced its new Core Ultra 3 processors, codenamed Panther Lake. The most notable aspect of this announcement is the promise of up to 27 hours of battery life, thanks to Intel's 18A manufacturing technology.

The leap wasn't limited to energy efficiency; it also included powerful graphics performance via the integrated graphics processor.Intel's ARK B390 chipset offers performance comparable to discrete graphics cards. The company also confirmed it is developing a complete mobile gaming platform based on these chips, in a major offensive against a market long dominated by AMD.

Pre-orders opened immediately, with January 27th set as the shipping date, turning technical promises into ready-to-use products..

 

Summary:

The general trend inCES 2026 made it clear: there's an unprecedented acceleration in the integration of artificial intelligence with the physical world. From robots roaming our homes to affordable companion devices, and even systems managing global sporting events, AI is no longer just an experience on a screen.

It is now an integral part of the structure by which the world around us operates. With this shift from screens to reality, the question remains: which of these transformations will we first feel the impact of in our daily lives?