From climbing vacuums to cyber pets: Some highlights of CES 2026

CES 2026 Showcases Futuristic Tech, From Paper-Thin TVs to Stair-Climbing Robots

The future has arrived in Las Vegas, where CES 2026 transformed the convention center into a showcase of technologies that once seemed possible only in science fiction. This year’s Consumer Electronics Show featured ultra-thin displays, AI-powered gadgets, and robots designed to integrate seamlessly into daily life.

“The ChatGPT moment for physical AI is here,” declared Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, capturing the event’s prevailing sentiment as artificial intelligence continues its expansion from digital interfaces into physical devices and spaces.

Robots dominated the show floor, ranging from humanoid assistants to furry companions and specialized task performers, demonstrating the industry’s push toward integrating robotics into everyday environments.

Lego unveiled its ambitious Smart Play platform, leveraging nostalgia and star power by partnering with Lucasfilm. The company’s presentation featured Star Wars royalty, including Lucasfilm Chief Creative Officer David Filoni and beloved characters like Chewbacca and R2-D2. The new platform incorporates sensor-equipped bricks that detect light and distance, triggering synchronized lights and sounds to bring constructions to life. Fans can now build interactive scenes featuring space battles and lightsaber duels, merging physical play with digital enhancement.

In a nod to technological nostalgia, Clicks Technology introduced a magnetic QWERTY keyboard that attaches to smartphones. Co-founder Jeff Gadway described the Power Keyboard as “one keyboard for all your smart devices,” featuring a full layout with directional keys and a number row. The accessory also functions as a wireless power bank, potentially appealing to former BlackBerry enthusiasts who miss tactile typing experiences.

LG Electronics, a CES mainstay, impressed attendees with its OLED evo W6 model from the Wallpaper line. The South Korean manufacturer has created a display measuring just 9mm in thickness, with an almost edge-to-edge picture. Available in 77-inch and 83-inch sizes, the television houses its inputs in a separate box, allowing for seamless 4K video and audio streaming to the remarkably thin screen.

Chinese vacuum manufacturer Roborock demonstrated perhaps the most eye-catching household robot: a vacuum that sprouts chicken-like legs to climb stairs. The Saros Rover not only navigates vertical spaces but cleans steps during its ascent and descent. While no release date has been announced for the still-in-development device, Roborock claims it will handle various staircase designs, including spiraled and curved configurations.

Gaming hardware company Razer entered the wearable AI market with Project Motoko, over-ear headphones that replicate smart glasses functionality. During demonstrations, the AI-powered headset translated Japanese restaurant menus into English and retrieved information through built-in cameras and microphones. The headphones support various AI models including ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude, with Razer emphasizing data privacy for consumer users while noting potential enterprise applications for AI training.

VHEX Lab addressed a deeply emotional human need with its SITh.XRaedo extended-reality grief therapy platform. The technology creates a virtual avatar from a single photograph, enabling users wearing VR headsets to interact with representations of deceased loved ones or younger versions of themselves. Guided by trained XR therapists, the platform—which won a digital health innovation award at CES—offers an alternative approach to processing grief and finding emotional closure.

Personal mobility received an autonomous upgrade with Strutt’s EV1 self-driving chair. The Singapore-based robotics company allowed blindfolded volunteers to experience the chair’s navigation capabilities. CEO Tony Hong explained that the EV1 employs multiple sensors to detect and avoid obstacles, adjusting its course in real time without requiring user input.

For those seeking companionship without traditional pets, Chinese tech brand Ollobot presented OlloNi, a purple “cyber pet” combining plush toy aesthetics with AI robotics. Unlike rigid humanoid designs, OlloNi features a warm, expressive interface with a screen mounted at its neck displaying thousands of animated expressions meant to mirror human emotions. The robot responds to physical interaction, such as having its fuzzy “ears” scratched, with apparent delight.

Ride-sharing giant Uber returned to autonomous vehicle development, unveiling a premium robotaxi created in collaboration with luxury EV maker Lucid Motors and autonomous technology company Nuro. The vehicle features comprehensive sensing equipment and a distinctive roof “halo” with LED screens displaying rider information. Passengers can customize their experience through climate and entertainment controls while viewing the vehicle’s sensory data and planned route in real time. Testing began last month in the San Francisco area, with commercial service targeted to launch before year’s end.

As CES 2026 demonstrated, the technological future continues to evolve through innovations that blend digital capability with physical experience, creating products that respond more naturally and intuitively to human needs.