CES 2026 Set to Spotlight AI, Robots, and Immersive Tech
The annual CES trade show has returned with another vast showcase of the technologies companies intend to bring into consumers’ everyday lives in 2026. The multi-day global event, organised by the Consumer Technology Association, begins this week in Las Vegas and is once again positioning itself as the stage where the technology industry signals its ambitions for the coming year. Developments across robotics, healthcare, vehicles, wearables, gaming, and a wide range of digital products are expected to dominate attention, with artificial intelligence deeply embedded in almost every category as manufacturers seek to demonstrate meaningful uses that people are willing to pay for.
Prominent industry figures are preparing to outline how AI is evolving from concept to practical infrastructure. NVIDIA is expected to focus on productivity-driven systems, while AMD aims to frame the future of AI solutions for both performance and accessibility. Lenovo is also positioned to emphasise the continued spread of AI across consumer and enterprise environments, reinforcing the sense that AI has shifted from experimental novelty to baseline capability. Alongside the corporate spotlight, the wider AI sector is heavily invested in healthcare, particularly in behaviour-changing technologies intended to support treatment and prevention. Examples include digital prescription platforms designed to manage specific medical conditions and tools to address data shortages in research areas such as lactation health.
Domestic robotics is also set to be one of the more visible themes. Korean manufacturer LG plans to present a household assistant robot named CLOiD, designed to help manage routine home tasks and integrate into smart-home ecosystems. Hyundai is preparing announcements linked to robotics and advanced manufacturing, signalling plans that stretch beyond consumer gadgets into industrial automation. Extended reality is being positioned as a critical training and testing layer for both physical robots and broader AI development, presenting immersive environments as a foundation for safer, more efficient machine learning and simulation.
Attendance expectations remain substantial. In 2025, the show recorded more than 141,000 visitors from over 150 countries, regions, and territories, and organisers anticipate figures of a similar scale for the 2026 edition. More than 3,500 exhibitors are scheduled to occupy the show floor, creating an environment that reflects both technological optimism and commercial urgency. Industry observers see this year’s event as one where practicality, durability, and user benefit will be judged more strictly than before as consumers become more selective about the innovations they adopt.
Key themes are expected to focus on using AI in tangible, beneficial ways rather than purely experimental displays. Robotics continues to expand, with noticeable growth in humanoid and human-adjacent systems compared with previous years. Health technology maintains strong momentum, particularly in longevity, body-specific wearable devices, and solutions to close critical gaps in healthcare delivery. Mobility is another central pillar, extending beyond autonomous cars to include marine transport, drones, and other modes of transportation, reflecting a broader rethinking of how people and goods move.
The prospect of humanoid robots entering domestic environments is once again drawing interest. While current examples vary in reliability, the presence of more lifelike models, specialised robotic companions, and task-specific systems is strengthening the perception that robots are transitioning from novelty to functional utility. Developers are also increasingly segmenting the robotics market by purpose, producing machines capable of tasks that are either too complex, repetitive, or hazardous for humans.
Entertainment and content creation are also being reshaped by AI integration. The industry is moving towards hybrid creative processes in which human direction and machine capability intersect to produce greater variety, faster execution, and new business models. Rather than fully automated creativity, the emphasis is on leveraging AI to expand human output, refine monetisation strategies, and customise media for diverse audiences.
Consumer-facing AI devices are taking on clearer identities, too, with accessibility emerging as a dedicated focus. CES 2026 is highlighting technology for people with disabilities and older populations, exploring how AI can enhance independence, navigation, communication, and daily living. This shift indicates an expanding understanding that AI adoption will be influenced as much by social utility as by novelty or performance.
The debate continues over whether the AI sector risks oversupply. Yet, industry leadership continues to frame AI as a foundational technology capable of addressing complex problems, including food production, environmental stability, and medical advancement. Comparisons to earlier internet-era enthusiasm are frequent, but the prevailing argument holds that AI differs because of its clearer revenue pathways, broader applicability, and rapid integration into essential systems.
CES 2026, therefore, positions itself as a barometer of technological direction rather than simply a gadget exhibition. The emphasis on AI, robotics, health, mobility, accessibility, and immersive environments signals an industry intent on proving usefulness rather than spectacle. With global attention once again on Las Vegas, the event is set to demonstrate how far technology has moved beyond experimentation and how determined the sector is to embed AI and automation into everyday life.
