New frontiers in robotics at CES 2026

The Shopper Electronics Present (CES) is one of the most important commerce occasions on the earth. Yearly, 1000’s of corporations showcase their state-of-the-art applied sciences to over 100k attendees.  It brings collectively world trade leaders, startups, and media, and is used to launch merchandise and sign future tech tendencies.  

Henry Hickson, a Analysis Affiliate on the Hauert Lab, attended CES 2026. On this article he reviews on the highlights of the present, exploring how bodily AI is shifting from experimental labs into client know-how, and what this shift reveals about the way forward for robotics, autonomy, and real-world deployment. 

 All images and movies on this article are credited to Henry Hickson.

CES 2026: Shopper Electronics Meets Bodily AI 

It doesn’t take lengthy after touchdown in Las Vegas to see the indicators of CES 2026. Inside minutes, gleaming LED screens announce the present’s presence, and people ubiquitous two letters: AI. One flavour of AI dominated the present, from Jensen Huang’s keynote speech to even the smallest cubicles on the present flooring: bodily AI. 

Whereas I went there searching for robotics, the phrase ‘bodily AI’ was reaching the ears of even essentially the most informal customer. Manufacturers greatest identified for televisions, laptops, and residential home equipment had been speaking confidently about embodied intelligence. At CES 2026, bodily AI – in follow, robots – was not area of interest.  

As a first-time CES attendee, the sheer scale of the occasion was overwhelming. Even with ruthless effectivity, it will have been not possible to talk to each robotics exhibitor on the Vegas mega-show. What follows, then, isn’t a complete survey, however a set of themes that emerged repeatedly over the week – bolstered by both repetition or hype surrounding the displays. Collectively, they provide a snapshot of the place consumer-facing robotics stands at the moment, and the place it seems to be heading subsequent. 

A fast caveat for seasoned roboticists: this client house is a far-cry from our day by day interactions with lab-based robotics. A lot of what’s on show isn’t state-of-the-art by educational requirements – however it’s revolutionary in a completely different means, formed by client expectations and manufacturability. 

Outdoors CES on the Las Vegas Conference Heart. 

Theme 1: Humanoids 

It will be not possible to characteristic robotics at CES and never anticipate a wave of the largest development in current robotics historical past: the rise of the humanoid.   What as soon as felt like a sci-fi dream is now a severe industrial and analysis focus, attracting intense curiosity from traders, corporations, and the general public. In some circles, the controversy is whether or not humanoids are vital in any respect, given the effectivity of different kinds. At CES, nonetheless, they had been presumably the most widespread and mentioned illustration of bodily AI.   

The vary on show was huge. Booster showcased child-sized humanoids which ship an schooling program on robotics. These had been lined up in what resembled a classroom and had been in the stores then and there – many of the classroom robots had daring crimson ‘SOLD’ indicators connected. One Booster would set you again $10k. 

Booster’s silicon class-bots wave in unison. 

Unitree drew crowds with a continuous present of boxing, dancing, and acrobatics. Whereas missing in real-world utility and nonetheless largely distant managed, their speedy progress in movement functionality is spectacular. Unitree has achieved this with improved actuators and reinforcement studying. Their crew acknowledged that they added instabilities to their simulations, which makes the system extra adaptable and offers confidence that every trick will run easily throughout demos.  These boxing bots retail for $6k+ and are customisable for person wants.  

Beijing-based Galaxea Dynamics are concentrating on analysis labs with a high-precision platform for basis mannequin improvement. Starting with a easy robotic arm with a digital camera and pincer gripper, they now supply a humanoid with inbuild peak adjustment for $70k. As well as, they’re growing an open-source VLA as a place to begin for customers growing their very own, task-specific setups. The result’s an out-the field VLA system, decreasing the barrier to entry for universities or R&D corporations to develop their very own twin armed VLA programs.  Galaxea are proving particularly well-liked with US establishments.  

Galaxea Dynamics’ humanoid with pincer grippers.

Dwelling robots had been one of the crucial well-liked classes at CES. SwitchBot introduced H1, a wheeled humanoid with arms that slide up and down. At this stage it’s probably turning into clear that the definition of a humanoid is turning into considerably blurry – except for the pleasant face and human-dimensioned arms, the H1 isn’t precisely a human type.  Skilled by observing people finishing family duties, the H1 has to this point mastered tidying round the home and loading the washer – if nonetheless at a slower tempo than a human.  Launch dates are unsure, however the firm is aiming to undercut the competitors by reaching a $10k value level. It’ll be fascinating to see how this develops.  

SwitchBot’s H1 Humanoid, able to do your chores (very slowly).

The GR-3 humanoid by Shanghai-based Fourier caught my eye – its turtle-neck styled torso, emotive LED eyes and automotive-upholstered smooth pores and skin makes for a standout aesthetic. Its dextrous fingers had been proven off in shut interactions with guests through tic-tac-toe video games, the place it by no means misplaced. I used to be pleased to drag off a tie. The rationale for these shut interactions is that GR-3 is focused for healthcare suppliers, for social interplay and bodily duties round care properties and hospitals. Retailing at $100k, the first prospects are nonetheless analysis labs. 

Fourier’s tic-tac-toe enjoying humanoid, GR3. 

An surprising improvement for a lot of was the doorway of enormous client manufacturers into the humanoid house. LG’s CLOiD, built-in with its sensible house ecosystem, embodied the concept of a “zero-labour house.” The CLOiD is a wheeled humanoid with a pleasant LED face. Considerably tentative in its actions, it was capable of retrieve gadgets from the fridge and fold a towel. That is nonetheless very a lot in improvement, however watch this house. 

LG’s wheeled humanoid, CLOiD.

Paxini’s choices sit precisely within the well-liked intersection between humanoid and wheeled robots, with an adjustable wheeled base, a floating torso adjustable up and down by rotating joints, and a humanoid higher physique. Utilising VTLA fashions, they’re focused to maneuver crates in warehouses or components on manufacturing facility flooring, with a number of items already deployed.  

GalBot introduced one other wheeled, VLA-focused platform, with demonstrations of crate stacking in a warehouse-style surroundings and customer support duties in a mini comfort retailer setup. The platform options an adjustable torso with connected arms and head. The corporate has invested closely in VLA improvement for manipulation, navigation, following, and dancing. They highlighted the problem of tuning fashions for every platform, once more pointing to knowledge assortment as a key bottleneck. Regardless of this, the crew is pushing towards near-term deployment. 

The aptly named firm Humanoid, representing the UK contingent of roboticists, showcased a deployment-focused wheeled system within the type of the HMND 01 Alpha Wheeled platform. The massive rectangular industrial base clearly alerts a platform designed for real-world manufacturing facility work relatively than show-floor demos. This focus was bolstered by Humanoid’s not too long ago introduced partnership with Schaeffler, with whom they had been exhibiting at CES. A easy demo confirmed the height-variable robotic shifting metallic rings between bins. Whereas near-term efforts are firmly industrial, the crew acknowledged {that a} legged model higher suited to house environments stays a part of their longer-term roadmap. 

Schaeffler’s second humanoid accomplice at CES, Agility Robotics, can be targeted on production-ready programs for the manufacturing facility flooring – this time, to a totally legged platform. Their distinctive backward-knee design has been underneath improvement for a few years, and the full-height robotic on present was clearly constructed for industrial environments, with uncovered metallic constructions and laborious casing. Agility has no plans to enter client house robotics.  

Agility’s humanoid. 

Maybe most notable at CES was Boston Dynamic’s Atlas humanoid. It noticed 4-5 row deep crowds for all the present, in addition to hitting world headlines. Atlas has been in improvement for over a decade and has turn into broadly identified via movies brazenly displaying each successes and failures. The most recent model was unveiled throughout the opening day. It carried out an agile sequence of crouching, sweeping, and pointing motions. For the remainder of the present, it carried out common pick-and-place demonstrations in a mock manufacturing facility surroundings. The crew brazenly mentioned present limitations, noting that a lot of the system was teleoperated throughout the present, highlighting that the software program stack remains to be underneath improvement. 

Standing 1.9 metres tall with a lifting capability of fifty kg, it’s designed for heavy-duty work. Hyundai plans to focus manufacturing capability on inside deployments via 2026, with broader manufacturing prospects anticipated later. Lengthy-term plans embody scaling manufacturing to tens of 1000’s of items per 12 months, signalling what could also be one of many first large-scale deployments of humanoid robots with actual industrial worth. 

The headline-grabbing Atlas humanoid demonstrates its spectacular vary of mobility.

Theme 2: Companion Robots 

Being client targeted, it is maybe unsurprising {that a} standout theme was so client oriented, however I used to be stunned by the sheer variety of newly launched robots on this house. The power of this theme lies in human–robotic interplay, and in how client know-how is being reshaped by robotics and AI. 

One instance was Loona, constructed by Beijing-based KEYi Tech. This pint-sized, four-wheeled robotic pet was surprisingly insistent, figuring out potential playmates via an onboard digital camera and bumping clumsily into their toes to ask for consideration. Designed for all ages, the crew reported robust curiosity from adults shopping for Loona as firm for aged mother and father. With some life-like qualities, Loona manages to evoke among the emotional response of a family pet. 

Loona’s lovable robotic pet.

KEYi additionally previewed a desktop robotic idea that integrates with a smartphone, which offers entry to cloud instruments like ChatGPT and acts as a display screen for expressive robotic eyes. Positioned as an assistant, the demo confirmed agentic capabilities, similar to reserving conferences and analysing screenshots. Its long-term usefulness stays unclear, however the slick interface was enjoyable to work together with. 

Subsequent up was an unreleased robotic pet from OlloBot – two-wheeled, dog-sized robotic pets with tablet-based faces that jogged my memory of Sid the Sloth from Ice Age. These child-friendly bots had ChatGPT integration in addition to digital camera modes and studying packages. 

Ollobots – your little one’s new playmate or favorite toy?

Fourier introduced a small, customisable desktop robotic with large digital eyes and head monitoring that gave an eerie, Labubu-esque aesthetic. 

Fourier’s cute desktop robotic is watching you. Picture credit score: Henry Hickson

Ludens AI provided INU, a fluffy desk robotic. Marketed as a ‘desktop alien’, INU has come to Earth to remind customers to take breaks and never work too laborious. How may you say no to that? Alongside the lovable rocking actions and occasional squeak, it was laborious to not really feel some attachment to this little robotic being.    

The INU desktop alien robots waving hi there. Credit score: Henry Hickson

Rounding out the class was Sentigent’s DuoRover, a rugged, follow-me robotic for outside adventures. Utilizing a two-wheeled balancing design and vision-based following, it’s meant to offer dialog, images, and video recording on household outings. 

Companion robotics is clearly a quickly rising house. The open query is longevity: will these robots stay companions, or be relegated to folks’s cabinets as soon as the novelty wears off? Firms are betting that continuous characteristic growth, fuelled by LLMs, will assist them endure – however solely time will inform. 

Theme 3: Job-Pushed, Non-Humanoid Robotics  

Whereas much less prevalent at a consumer-focused present like CES, task-driven robots nonetheless made a robust impression. Usually discovered at commerce reveals, these extra trade targeted robots are used for warehouse / manufacturing facility automation, or in hospitality. Nonetheless, there was an fascinating sprinkling at CES too and a few nice improvements on this house. 

One of the crucial notable examples was from the Hyundai Motor Group, whose acquisition of Boston Dynamics made them one of the crucial well-liked exhibitors. Their MobED robotic is a modular wheeled platform with 4 independently managed wheels that may carry out tight manoeuvres and may traverse different terrain while sustaining a superbly degree loading mattress.   The modular method means this can be utilized for a wide range of makes use of circumstances, from supply carts to ride-on automobiles. What stood out most was the construct high quality, which felt extra akin to a luxurious automotive than a typical robotics module. Will probably be fascinating to see how this does towards its decrease price competitors – is there an urge for food for luxurious robotics platforms but? 

Hyundai’s 4-wheeled modular platforms greet the gang by waving their wheels. 

On the different finish of the spectrum was Nexus Patio Tech from Bolivia, showcasing supply robots designed for simplicity and speedy route-to-market. With 20+ robots already operating on Bolivian streets, and lots of extra in malls and eating places, it was nice to see a deployment first method – though this will partly be because of a unique regulatory panorama. 

China’s Neolix demonstrated logistics at scale, with over 15,000 autonomous automobiles deployed throughout three sizes. By focusing solely on logistics, the crew has simplified decision-making and accelerated deployment. For instance, if there’s a selection between crashing right into a wall or a pedestrian, in logistics solely you all the time select the wall, as there isn’t a passenger onboard to account for. This makes for a singular method in comparison with among the different, albeit extremely subtle choices on present at CES, similar to passenger targeted Waymo, Zoox, and NVIDIA. Pilots in Portugal are scheduled for the primary half of 2026, which is a promising step – having the ability to comply with stringent EU rules would unlock deployments in a number of different areas. 

Neolix’s autonomous robotic. 

Development logistics had been addressed by Gole Robotics from South Korea, who’re tackling point-to-point materials transport on building websites – a use case to this point comparatively untouched by autonomous robotics as a result of its complexity. Their massive material-carrying robotic is designed to maneuver pallets in a single day in residence buildings, permitting human staff to give attention to expert labour throughout the day. Right here, the innovation lies as a lot within the redesigned workflow as within the robotic itself. 

Lastly, USX Robotics showcased a modular indoor supply platform for accommodations and occasions, notable for having been developed from idea to production-ready system in simply over a 12 months. 

This was not the one robotic to be market-ready in lightning-fast time. With the provision of reasonably priced and particular robotics targeted parts, open-source baseline libraries and simpler entry to manufacturing providers from overseas, each the price and complexity of constructing a brand new robotic system appears to be reducing, enabling a bunch of new gamers into the trade. This raises fascinating questions on how the market will evolve sooner or later. Differentiation might more and more lie in figuring out the proper use circumstances and routes to market. 

Abstract 

CES 2026 confirmed that humanoid and embodied AI programs nonetheless have a protracted method to go earlier than delivering real-world worth, notably in properties. On the identical time, there’s a rising sense that the trail to deployment is turning into clearer. A consensus has emerged throughout platforms:  multi-camera notion, typically wrist-mounted, paired with VLA fashions, is ample for many duties. More and more, tactile fingers and VTLA software program are added. 

There was a transparent cut up between industrial and home-care humanoids. Essentially the most convincing choices with essentially the most deployments had been in trade, with the agency favorite being logistics duties within the manufacturing sector.  With extremely developed platforms like Atlas main the cost, this industrial humanoid push feels nearer than ever. One other basic development right here was reaching the market through trade, adopted by a longer-term objective of reaching folks’s properties in some unspecified timeframe. It was generally laborious to inform whether or not that home-ready objective is real or to please the likes of traders and the excitable basic public. 

One fascinating query for me is functionality – at what level is a humanoid thought of helpful sufficient for the time-constrained client to purchase it, not only for an early adopter? At present, these platforms really feel too sluggish to be helpful sufficient for the typical purchaser. As improvement continues, I hope we start to see extra adaptive programs that present real worth.  

What has modified is momentum. A spark of pleasure has captured the creativeness of so many at CES, now that what as soon as appeared not possible is on the market, proper in entrance of you.  With higher entry to compute, the event of basis fashions like VLAS and VTLAs, a roadmap is rising. The race now’s for knowledge, knowledge, and extra knowledge –it’ll be an interesting one to comply with over the approaching years. I left CES with the sense that the long run is going on now.