Guides

CES 2026 Preview: The Hype, the Hope, and the Just Plain Weird

CES 2026 preview: real breakthroughs, wild hype, and the weirdest gadgets in Vegas. Our snarky guide separates must-see tech from marketing smoke.

CircuitSmith

28 Sep 2025 — 29 min read

CES 2026 is still a few months away, but the hype machine is already frothing harder than a Vegas barista on a double shift. Tech companies are out here pitching their latest “revolutionary” gadgets as if the future depends on bendy screens and AI toasters. The reality, as always, will be a mix of dazzling breakthroughs and gloriously pointless gizmos that nobody asked for. So before the keynotes kick off and the press releases start drowning us in buzzwords, let’s take a clear-eyed, snark-filled look at what you can actually expect—from real innovations to marketing theater, with plenty of weird sideshows in between.

Consumer Electronics: Bigger, Bendier, and Brighter Than Ever

CES’s bread and butter remains the big-ticket consumer electronics – think TVs the size of billboards, phones that bend in half (or roll up like a scroll), and laptops boasting more power (and RGB lights) than ever. Display tech will be front and center. Expect even more 8K and 16K televisions that challenge the limits of human eyesight, plus exotic new form factors. Samsung and LG are likely to unveil the next stage of flexible displays – from foldable tablets to rollable smartphones that extend like high-tech fruit roll-ups[1][2]. (Samsung demoed a Rollable Flex phone screen at CES 2024, and durability was a question mark[3], but that won’t stop the hype machine.) In fact, flexible display tech is touted as a major highlight of CES 2026[1], with companies like Samsung, LG, and Huawei racing to show devices that finally make folding and rolling gadgets robust and seamless.

Televisions will, of course, be “smarter” and sleeker. Think bezelless Mini-LED and MicroLED panels, quantum dots galore, and possibly a peek at OLED alternatives that claim higher brightness and longevity. Sony, for instance, has tech enthusiasts buzzing about its next-gen Bravia sets that could “make OLEDs look obsolete” (if rumor is to be believed). The other trend: killing the good old remote control. High-end TVs are integrating voice assistants and ambient sensors so deeply that remotes may become as outdated as landline phones[4]. TCL recently teased a flagship TV with built-in voice control and motion sensors to usher in a “remote-less future,” where you just talk or gesture at your TV to boss it around[4]. Even historically awful voice assistants like Samsung’s Bixby have gotten upgrades in natural language understanding[5] – so by 2026 your TV might actually understand when you ask it to “find a good sci-fi movie, no Michael Bay please,” and comply without pulling up Transformers 12. Smarter audio and video processing, AI-based picture adjustments, and invisible home integration are all on the menu for the TV space.

On the mobile and computing side, CES 2026 should showcase plenty of laptops and PCs with AI under the hood. Chip giants like Intel and AMD traditionally use CES to launch new processors, and this year we’ll see chips that shout about their AI acceleration capabilities. (Intel’s CES 2025 keynote hammered the theme of the “AI PC,” unveiling mobile CPUs with built-in neural processors for AI tasks[6].) Meanwhile, NVIDIA’s CEO Jensen Huang might drop by to remind everyone that his GPUs basically run the universe now. In 2025 he proclaimed, “AI is the house that GeForce built,” while unveiling the monstrous RTX 50-series graphics cards[7]. Don’t be surprised if 2026’s show opens with Jensen striding onstage in his signature leather jacket to introduce even more absurdly powerful silicon for gaming, AI and the coming metaverse – all with a side of bravado. (Last year’s unprecedented RTX 5090 boasts ray tracing so advanced and so many AI cores that it could probably run Crysis and an AI Dungeon master simultaneously[7].)

In sum, consumer electronics at CES 2026 will promise everything faster, bigger, and bendier. Just remember, for every genuinely cool breakthrough (like a rollable tablet that actually works), there’s plenty of marketing pixie dust. We’ll be keeping score of how many times “world’s first” gets uttered on stage, and how many of those firsts end up on a clearance shelf by next Christmas.

Speaking of filling shelves with gadgets, let’s move from the living room to the smart home, where your fridge, thermostat, and even toilet are all eager to join the digital party (whether you invited them or not).

Smart Home: Houses of the Future (Now with 100% More AI)

The smart home sector at CES has matured from novelty to near ubiquity – and yet it still finds new ways to make us say, “Wait, they put a chip in that?” AI is in everything now, and nowhere is that more apparent than in home gadgets[8]. Security cameras, doorbells, thermostats, ovens – you name it, it’s getting a dose of “intelligence.” In fact, AI has become the default ingredient companies sprinkle into appliances, often without a clear purpose beyond the buzzword[9]. (As one industry observer put it bluntly, “AI is the new ingredient. No one is sure what to do with it other than add it to their existing products,” resulting in some awkwardly “smart” devices[9].) At CES 2026, expect a parade of appliances boasting about their neural prowess: refrigerators that predict your grocery needs, washing machines that sense fabric types, and yes, air fryers that claim to optimize cooking via AI. (CES 2025 already had an AI-powered air fryer that could scan recipe book pages and set cook times accordingly – because tapping a temperature on an app is so 2024[10].)

Beyond AI for AI’s sake, the big trend is interoperability – finally getting our myriad gadgets to speak the same language. The Matter smart home standard (along with its sidekick, Thread) is supposed to be the great unifier, and many new products proudly tout support for it[11]. At CES 2025, Matter-enabled devices were everywhere, promising “seamless integration with Apple Home, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and other platforms”[11]. In plain English: your smart door lock, lights, thermostat, and voice assistant might actually play nice together for once, without you acting as the go-between. This year we’ll see more multi-protocol hubs and gadgets that work across ecosystems by default. Ironically, the smart home is returning to the hub model – but the hub is now often hidden inside another device. Companies realized consumers don’t want a dozen little gateway boxes, so they’re building hub tech into things like routers, speakers, even appliances[12][13]. (LG, for example, showed a microwave at CES 2025 that doubles as a smart home hub for your other devices[14]. Who knew nuking leftovers could also coordinate your entire IoT?) This “hub in everything” approach acknowledges that while only ~6% of people intentionally buy a smart home hub, a majority do want all their devices to connect and be voice-controlled[15]. So don’t be surprised when your next smart lamp or coffee maker quietly has Zigbee, Z-Wave, Matter and Wi-Fi radios inside to serve as the mediator for your home’s network.

Security and smart locks will also get their moment. CES 2025 was called “the year of the smart lock” by some[16], with new locks using NFC, Ultra-wideband and biometrics to make keys feel positively antique. In 2026, we’ll likely see even more doorways going digital – and maybe some smart garage doors and smart mailboxes to complete the set. And yes, privacy concerns will continue to be the uninvited guest at this party. The more our home fills with cameras, mics and sensors, the more we worry about who else might be listening. Expect at least a few vendors at CES to stress their “secure-by-design” or “locally processed AI” approaches, to quell fears that your smart speaker is a corporate spy. (One trend: companies adding physical kill switches for cameras/microphones to give users peace of mind – a tacit admission that trust is still an issue.)

All told, the smart home of CES 2026 will appear more cohesive and genuinely useful than in past years. We’re moving beyond the stage of random point solutions toward integrated systems that actually deliver convenience. But make no mistake, the marketing hype remains. Every toaster, toilet, and toothbrush will claim to be smart and lifestyle-changing. If you tour the show floor, you’ll see some brilliant labor-saving innovations… right alongside a voice-controlled litter box and a Wi-Fi toothbrush asking for a firmware update. In other words, peak CES.

And what is the secret sauce powering many of those smart home devices’ lofty promises? It’s three little letters that dominated tech in the mid-2020s: A.I. Let’s give “artificial intelligence” its own moment in the spotlight (as if it hasn’t gotten enough attention lately).

AI Everywhere: Your Toaster Wants to Chat (and Your Car Does, Too)

If one theme unites everything at CES 2026, it’s AI creep – the spread of artificial intelligence into every nook and cranny of consumer tech. We’ve reached the point where “AI-powered” has become as ubiquitous (and meaningless) a label as “gluten-free” at a health expo. At CES 2025, one reporter quipped that companies still didn’t really know what AI is good for, given the absurd products flaunting the AI badge[17]. The show featured AI kitchen appliances, AI baby cribs, and other products that really weren’t calling for AI[17]. That hasn’t stopped the industry from doubling down. In 2026, prepare to hear about “Gen AI” or “agentic AI” baked into everything. We’ll see chatbots in customer service kiosks, machine learning in your TV interface, and predictive algorithms in your fitness tracker.

Some of this is truly innovative – e.g. AI-driven hearing aids or health monitors that detect anomalies from subtle patterns. But plenty is pure overkill. Remember CES 2025’s infamous AI spice dispenser? A startup unveiled Spicerr, a “smart” spice rack that uses AI to learn your taste and recommend recipes[18]. It held six spice cartridges and dispensed seasonings at the tap of a screen, all while tracking your paprika levels in the cloud. It was arguably the Juicero of spices, requiring proprietary cartridges and solving a problem nobody had (measuring out cumin isn’t exactly rocket science)[18][19]. That kind of AI slop – throwing neural nets at trivial tasks – was rampant[17]. We even saw an AI-powered air fryer that scans cookbooks and allegedly calculates optimal frying settings[10]. Useful in theory, but one has to ask: was anyone truly clamoring for a deep learning model to manage their chicken tenders? The reception from regular folks suggests no[20].

Another gem: Razer’s “Project Ava”, an AI gaming assistant shown at CES 2025 that essentially plays your game for you by reading the screen and giving you hints in real time[21]. It was trained on game guides (controversially, without crediting authors) and would pop up with advice like “Dodge when the blade spins.” Apart from raising plagiarism questions, it was laggy and distracting[21]. Gamers’ response was basically, “Who asked for this?!” – an apt reaction to many offbeat AI creations that feel like solutions in search of a problem.

Nonetheless, AI remains the tech industry’s favorite child, and at CES it will be hailed as the miracle driving everything. Key players like NVIDIA, Qualcomm, and IBM might showcase new AI chips or software platforms promising to democratize AI further. (NVIDIA last year revealed Cosmos, a platform for training AI models to power robots and self-driving cars, declaring it wants to spur a “ChatGPT moment for general robotics”[22].) AI in cars is huge (more on that in the automotive section), AI in healthcare, AI in education tech – the list goes on. Even the creative fields are impacted: expect companies showing off AI-assisted video editing, AI-generated music for content creators, and of course more advances in generative AI that can create images, text or code on the fly.

One interesting subplot: privacy and on-device AI. After years of sending all our data to the cloud for processing, there’s a push to run AI locally for speed and privacy. New smartphones and laptops tout NPUs (neural processing units) that handle AI tasks without needing an internet connection. This trend will feature at CES with chipmakers and OEMs bragging how their devices do AI “at the edge.” The benefit is your voice assistant or camera recognition works even offline, and your data stays on your device – potentially a win-win. But local AI is still catching up in capability, so we’ll see a lot of hybrid cloud-edge AI solutions being pitched.

Bottom line: AI will be everywhere at CES 2026, both overtly and behind the scenes. We’ll cheer the genuinely useful implementations (like a smartwatch catching a health issue by analyzing your vitals) and roll our eyes at the excess (like a smart fridge that talks about your diet using ChatGPT – you just wait, that will exist if it doesn’t already). As one analyst wryly noted, we’re still seeing a lot of “AI wrappers” – existing products hastily wrapped in AI for hype’s sake[23]. But that awkward phase is a necessary step; some of these half-baked ideas will evolve into truly great applications[24]. In the meantime, take the overzealous claims with a grain of salt (perhaps dispensed by your AI salt shaker).

If AI is the brains of the operation, what happens when you put those brains into a body? You get robots! And CES has plenty of those – some helpful, some adorable, and some straight-up bizarre.

Robotics: Helpful Helpers, Robot Pets, and Droid Oddities

Each CES, the robotics exhibits oscillate between astonishing and absurd, and 2026 will be no exception. On one end, we have serious advancements: factory robots, delivery drones, prosthetic exoskeletons – the stuff of a sci-fi future materializing today. On the other end, we have a fluffy robot that clips to your purse and bats its googly eyes at strangers (yes, that’s real – we’ll get there). The theme this year is “robots for every walk of life”: whether it’s a rolling service robot to bring you snacks, a humanoid companion for the elderly, or a gimmicky robo-pet, someone’s built it and brought it to Vegas.

Let’s start with the practical robots. Home robotics are steadily growing. Expect to see improved robot vacuums and mops (ever more efficient at terrorizing your cat), robotic lawn mowers, and perhaps a prototype of a laundry-folding robot that claims to finally tackle that holy grail chore. Personal assistant robots – basically Alexa on wheels – will also roam around. Amazon’s own Astro robot (the little wheeled device with big eyes) might get rivals or upgrades, aiming to patrol your home, check on pets, or ferry small items. The companion robot for seniors category is hot: think friendly-looking bots like ElliQ that engage in conversation and monitor wellbeing. In healthcare, CES may highlight robotic caregivers and therapy robots (Paro the seal and its ilk) that provide comfort. These have real promise in an aging society.

Now the fun stuff: CES is also a robot petting zoo. Last year gave us everything from a Star Wars-style home droid to a Pixar-esque lamp robot[25][26]. In 2025, one eye-catcher was Jizai’s Mi-Mo, a robot that literally looked like the Pixar Luxo lamp come to life – complete with a wooden mid-century-modern design – waving its “lamp head” around and reacting to people[26]. We’ve seen robot dogs big and small (Sony’s Aibo might make an appearance with new tricks, and Boston Dynamics-style quadrupeds keep getting more agile). There was even a backflipping four-legged bot last year[27] to prove robots can now out-gymnast some of us. CES 2026 will surely have some new feline-inspired bots or maybe a robot bird – who knows. One bionic pet cat called MarsCat made waves in 2025[28], so maybe we’ll get a second-gen robo-kitty that purrs more realistically.

Of course, we must highlight the weirdos – the robots that make you ask, “Why… just why?” A prime example: Mirumi, the furry creature that hooks onto your bag[29]. This little pink fuzzball, showcased by Yukai Engineering in 2025, looks like a plush sloth with big eyes. You clip Mirumi onto your purse or tote, and it uses sensors to detect people nearby and then blinks and turns its head to “interact”[30]. The effect is somewhere between adorable and unsettling – imagine your handbag staring at people on the subway. Does Mirumi serve a practical purpose? Not really, unless you count being a conversation starter. But it perfectly captures the whimsical side of CES, where not every creation needs a rationale beyond “it’s cute and techy.” Another curious bot was a robotic coffee barista arm that could print elaborate latte art from any photo[31]. Neat in theory – who wouldn’t want a cappuccino with their own selfie on it? – but in practice it took forever to make a cup and ran out of water mid-demo[32], proving that sometimes a human barista (or a basic coffee maker) is just fine.

Then there’s the robot mixologist: one system called ADAM can mix cocktails or bubble tea using AI for the “perfect drink”[33]. We’ll likely see ADAM or its competitors serving up drinks to weary CES attendees. And one more for the road: how about a wheel that makes anything a robot? In 2025, a company showed off an autonomous wheel module (from Wheel.me) that you attach to any object – say, a chair or a table – and boom, it can move on its own[34]. It’s basically giving legs (well, wheels) to furniture. Novel, yes. Necessary… debatable. But these are the kind of offbeat innovations that make CES a delight.

The more ambitious side of robotics will also be present. Companies might unveil advanced humanoid robots with improved dexterity, aiming for that sci-fi dream of robot assistants that can do human tasks. Tesla’s Optimus humanoid (if it makes a showing) or Xiaomi’s CyberOne are examples of projects pushing this envelope. CES 2026 could have demos of humanoids that can walk, carry items, maybe even do a little dance to show off balance and articulation. Don’t expect any to be truly useful in a home yet – we’re still a long way from a Rosie the Robot maid – but the progress is real. Industry robots (the kind that build cars or perform warehouse sorting) will be around too, often repackaged in friendlier forms to illustrate their precision. And robotic vehicles and drones are huge: autonomous delivery bots, security patrolling robots, and flying drone “taxis” often get big showcases at CES (remember, even the sky isn’t the limit here).

Interesting to note, one narrative from last CES was the idea that a “ChatGPT moment” for robotics is on the horizon[22] – meaning a breakthrough that suddenly makes robots far more capable through AI. We might hear that phrase echoed, with companies positioning themselves as the OpenAI of Robotics, bringing advanced vision and decision-making to machines. NVIDIA’s work on the Cosmos platform for training robots virtually is one example of how AI and robotics are converging[35][22]. The hope is that as AI models get better at understanding the real world, we can finally have robots that don’t require painstaking programming for every action – they’ll learn and adapt like we do. It’s an exciting prospect, but also one rife with hype. Keep your skepticism handy when a CEO claims their robot “thinks just like a human.”

All said, CES 2026’s robot lineup will be a highlight reel of how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go. You’ll see machines that make you gasp in amazement and ones that make you giggle. And that’s exactly why we love the robot section – it embodies CES’s blend of serious innovation and playful experimentation.

Speaking of things we attach to ourselves (or that attach themselves to us, in Mirumi’s case), let’s turn to wearable tech and extended reality. Are we finally getting those AR glasses that won’t make us look like dorks? And what new health metric will our smartwatches track next? Time to find out.

Wearable Tech & XR: Gadgets On Our Wrists, Faces, and Beyond

Wearables are personal tech taken to the next level – they live on our bodies, monitoring and augmenting us. By 2026, we’ve come a long way from the humble step-tracking wristband. CES 2026 will showcase wearable devices spanning health, fitness, communication, and the ever-evolving world of XR (extended reality). The overarching trends: more health sensors (some verging on medical-grade), more comfort and style, and deeper integration of AR/VR into everyday life.

First, let’s talk health wearables. Smartwatches and fitness bands are already capable health monitors, but they’re poised to become even more like medical devices you can wear. At CES 2025, for instance, a next-gen smart ring by Circular was unveiled with an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor and FDA-cleared atrial fibrillation detection – in a ring![36]. That indicates how serious wearables are about health. In 2026, expect popular smartwatches (Apple, Samsung, Garmin, etc.) to push into tracking blood pressure, blood glucose (non-invasively), and advanced sleep apnea detection. In fact, word from last CES was that we’re “on the verge” of wearables measuring things like blood pressure and even glucose continuously without needles, alongside traditional vitals[37]. If a company has cracked that code by CES 2026, it will be headline news – imagine a smartwatch that can warn a diabetic about glucose levels or flag hypertension early[38]. Even if fully non-invasive glucose monitoring isn’t quite here, we’ll see progress in wearable blood sugar trackers (perhaps optical or using sweat analysis). Blood pressure cuffs built into smartwatches (inflatable bands) have been prototyped, so a refined version might debut. All this is moving us toward wearables that not only count steps and heartbeats but potentially save lives with early health alerts.

Wearables are also getting smaller and more diverse. Smart rings, like the Oura and Circular, are gaining features to rival watches. We might see smart earbuds that track heart rate and even core temperature via your ear canal. How about smart clothing? CES often has smart apparel – sensor-laden shirts for posture or ECG, self-heating jackets, etc. Maybe 2026 will show actual market-ready smart garments instead of perpetual prototypes. And let’s not forget VR/AR headsets as wearables – those definitely count, and they’re evolving fast.

Which brings us to XR (extended reality) – the catch-all for virtual and augmented reality. The tech world got a jolt in 2024 with devices like the Meta Quest 3 and especially Apple’s Vision Pro (though Apple doesn’t do CES, its impact will loom large). In response, CES 2025 was crawling with new AR glasses and VR headsets[39]. Observers noted that 2025 was shaping up to be “the year of the smart glasses,” with dozens of AI-powered eyewear devices emerging[39]. At CES 2026, we’ll see that trend continue: sleeker AR glasses that look closer to normal eyewear, yet can overlay notifications or navigation in your field of view. Companies like XREAL (formerly Nreal) showed off lightweight AR specs with decent field of view and even modular camera attachments[40][41]. Others like TCL, Rokid, and Vuzix have been iterating on making AR glasses less awkward. By now, we might get a pair that truly could be worn around town without turning heads (or at least not in a bad way). Key improvements will be wider field of view, higher resolution (4K micro-displays are a thing now[42]), and better outdoor visibility for AR. Also, AI integration: one model in 2025 (Halliday glasses) had a “Proactive AI” that listened to conversations and provided real-time info or translation[43]. That kind of digital assistant in your glasses – think subtitling the world, giving you facts on landmarks you look at, etc. – will likely advance further.

On the VR side, headsets are getting lighter and more powerful. CES 2026 could bring the next generation of all-in-one VR headsets with PC-like graphics thanks to new chipsets. Companies such as HTC/Valve or surprise new entrants might reveal high-resolution headsets for enthusiasts. There’s also a trend of mixed reality – combining pass-through AR with VR. We’ve seen headsets that let you see the real world in color and overlay virtual objects (Meta’s high-end Quest Pro tried this, Apple’s Vision Pro does this). CES might have more devices claiming the MR mantle, targeting both consumers and enterprise. Sony had an intriguing prototype at CES 2025 – an XR headset for developers (the Sony “SR Display” with 4K per eye)[42]. By 2026 maybe Sony or others will show progress toward lightweight holographic displays or retinal projection glasses.

A practical area: wearable audio and communication. Smart earbuds with translators (think Babel fish from Hitchhiker’s Guide), or AR that works with your car’s HUD, etc., might pop up. Smart goggles for sports (giving cyclists a heads-up display, for example) are a niche but cool category.

And of course, wearables still include good old smartphones in a sense – not worn on the body, but always on us. While major phone launches usually skip CES in favor of their own events, we might see some concept phones or prototype wearable phones (like slap-band phones or devices that morph shape). It’s not likely to be a big phone show, though, aside from maybe foldable or dual-screen concepts (which we covered in Consumer Electronics).

Fashion will matter too: Many wearables will stress how stylish they are. Companies have learned that no matter how amazing the tech, if it looks like a goofy gadget, people won’t wear it. So, expect phrases like “fashion-forward design” in press releases. We’ll see smartwatches trying to look like luxury analog watches, AR glasses that channel Ray-Ban vibes, and fitness trackers that resemble jewelry.

In summary, wearable tech at CES 2026 will aim to convince us to strap more things to our bodies for our own benefit. Some of it will be incredibly compelling – who wouldn’t want a discreet health guardian on their wrist or an AR lens that gives turn-by-turn directions as you walk? Other bits will be more questionable – do we really need a smart belt that nags us about our posture, or shoes with built-in heated insoles connected to an app? For every yes, there’s a huh?. But that’s the charm of wearables: pushing boundaries of convenience, connectivity, and what’s socially acceptable to wear in public.

Now, as much as we love devices you can wear or carry, there’s another category of tech at CES that’s literally driving a lot of excitement – cars! In recent years CES has doubled as an auto show, so let’s hit the road and see what automotive innovations are coming around the bend.

Automotive Tech: Electric Dreams, Rolling Supercomputers, and Concept Car Carnivals

What started as an electronics expo has fully embraced its alter ego as a car show. Walk into CES 2026’s automotive hall and you might think you’re at the Detroit Auto Show – except the emphasis here is on technology more than horsepower (not that there’s a shortage of horsepower either; we’ve seen electric supercars at CES boasting 1000+ HP, which is frankly terrifying[44]). The automotive presence at CES speaks to how cars have become “consumer electronics on wheels.” Here’s what to expect: electric vehicles galore, smarter and more autonomous driving tech, crazy concept cars (some that fly!), and an arms race of infotainment and AI integration.

Firstly, it’s a safe bet every vehicle at CES 2026 will be at least hybrid if not fully electric. The industry momentum is clear. We’ll see established automakers and startups showing their latest EV models or prototypes. For instance, Honda turned heads at CES 2025 by showing off its Honda 0 series EV prototypes – an SUV and a sleek “saloon” (sedan) slated for 2026 production[45]. Those featured distinctive wedge-like designs, minimalistic interiors with panoramic displays (yes, multiple screens across the dash), and even an AI-driven operating system named after Honda’s famed Asimo robot[46]. That’s right, even car UIs are getting anthropomorphized AI platforms now. By CES 2026, Honda and others will likely have updated their EV concepts or even near-final models to show, complete with promises of 300+ mile range, Level 3 autonomy capabilities, and over-the-air software updates standard[47].

Another highlight: the collaboration between tech and auto companies. Sony Honda Mobility’s joint EV, the Afeela sedan, was a poster child for this at CES 2025. They announced pricing (~$89,900) and tout it as a luxury tech-on-wheels experience, with an AI assistant and even a PlayStation 5 baked into the infotainment system for passenger entertainment[48][49]. At CES 2026, we’ll see more of this cross-pollination. Possibly updates on Afeela (since it’s due to hit the market in 2026), but also others: maybe Apple’s car project rumors finally bear fruit? (If Apple were to tease anything, it’d likely be via partners or just the buzz around, since Apple itself doesn’t exhibit.) Google might show deeper Android Automotive OS integrations. Amazon could tout Alexa’s growing role in cars, especially with their investment in EV maker Rivian and their own self-driving taxi ambitions (Zoox). Indeed, voice AI in cars is a sub-trend: at CES 2025, voice assistants from Amazon, Google, and NVIDIA were highlighted as increasingly capable copilots for navigation, entertainment, and more[50][51].

Self-driving tech remains a holy grail, and CES is where a lot of those players flex. Expect updates from companies like Waymo, Mobileye, Nvidia (Drive platform), and a host of LiDAR and sensor makers. The term “Level 4 autonomy” might be thrown around for concept demonstrations (though we all know true self-driving for consumers is still just around the corner… as it has been for a decade). We’ll likely see more refined driver-assistance features: imagine a car that uses AI to read your mood or tiredness level and suggests pulling over, or one that can automate tricky parking garage navigation while you sit back. BMW showed a neat concept HUD (head-up display) spanning the whole windshield for augmented reality navigation and info overlay[52] – by 2026 maybe that’s closer to production, with BMW’s promised Panoramic iDrive display en route[53]. Likewise, Hyundai Mobis displayed a holographic AR windshield that projects nav arrows and safety alerts onto the road view[54]. At CES 2026, we might see more automakers adopting similar AR displays, as they attempt to merge the digital and physical driving experience (and also wow consumers with flashy demos).

And how could we not mention the wild side of CES mobility: flying cars and oddball vehicles. Last year, a Chinese company Xpeng showed a flying car prototype (AeroHT) that even snagged some preorders[55]. There was also Aptera’s funky solar-powered EV claiming up to 40 miles a day on sunshine alone[56][57]. CES 2026 will undoubtedly feature a few eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft billed as future air taxis. Whether it’s startups showing one-seater drones you can ride, or major companies like Hyundai (who’s been dabbling in urban air mobility) bringing a life-size model, the Jetsons vibe is strong. Most of these are far from regulatory approval, but they sure make headlines.

Likewise, concept cars that may never hit production but look super cool will be on display. Think futuristic autonomous shuttles, off-road EVs with crazy suspension (remember BYD’s U9 EV that can jump up and down on its suspension? Yes, that happened[58]), or ultra-luxury interiors that feel like living rooms. One notable direction is sustainability: concept EVs using more eco-friendly materials, showing modular designs for easy recycling, etc. That might be highlighted since the industry is keen to appear green.

Another area is the in-car entertainment and connectivity. With vehicles becoming computerized, CES features things like 5G-connected cars, car-specific app stores, and partnerships with streaming services to let passengers binge-watch or game on the go (while the car drives itself… eventually). We might see new EV charging tech too – perhaps a demo of truly fast wireless charging pads for cars, or battery swap systems, etc., though those are often more at industrial expos.

Let’s not forget the presence of newcomers and international automakers at CES. The likes of Lucid, Fisker, VinFast (Vietnam), and various Chinese EV brands (Great Wall’s WEY, Geely’s brands like Zeekr, etc.) have used CES to increase their global profile. In 2025, Chinese automakers were out in force – showing advanced driver aids and high-performance EVs (Zeekr’s 1248-hp monster and its luxury vans impressed journalists[59][60]). By 2026, even more Chinese EVs might appear, especially as some plan expansions into Europe or the US. Meanwhile, a company like Tesla famously skips CES, doing their own thing, but their absence is often noted[61] – it’s almost a running gag that legacy automakers and newbies show up at CES to prove they’re as tech-sexy as Tesla, while Tesla itself is off stage yet still the benchmark.

All in all, automotive tech at CES 2026 will be one of the most exciting halls. It’s where you can see a car with five screens on the dash and an AI brain that calls you by name[62], parked next to a flying car prototype, around the corner from a 500-mile-range solar EV, across from a racecar-like EV with marble interior and built-in flower vase (we see you, Zeekr 009)[60]. It’s equal parts pragmatic (the future of what you’ll actually drive) and fantastical (art on wheels). And in characteristic CES fashion, some of these vehicles will make you mutter “I want that now,” while others will elicit “yeah, right, we’ll see if that ever ships.” Either way, it’s a joyride through the state of the art.

Now, before we wrap up, we have to pay homage to the true stars of CES media coverage every year – the miscellaneous weird gadgets. These are the crazy ones, the head-scratchers, the meme-generators. Let’s indulge in the weird and wonderful one more time.

The Weird and Wonderful: Gadgets That Made Us Go “Huh?”

No CES would be complete without the gallery of oddities – devices that defy categorization (and sometimes logic). Companies big and small bring their wackiest ideas to Vegas, perhaps hoping for viral fame or a niche audience. CES 2026 will certainly have its share of “Nobody really asked for this, but here it is!” products. Let’s revel in a few we anticipate, based on the trajectory of past shows:

Electronic Taste Tricks: Last year gave us the infamous Electric Salt Spoon from Kirin, a utensil that shocks your tongue to make food taste saltier[63]. Yes, you read that right – it uses a mild electric current to stimulate your taste buds, so you can reduce real salt intake but still perceive saltiness. It was perhaps the weirdest gadget at CES 2025[63], and guess what? It even won an innovation award. We expect follow-ups in this vein: maybe an electric sugar spoon for diabetics? Or smart chopsticks that enhance umami? Don’t laugh – a Japanese research team actually has done electric chopsticks to make food taste richer. So keep an eye (or tongue) out for digital flavor tech.
Health Gadgets on the Fringe: CES often features bizarre health and beauty tech. Perhaps this year we’ll see a smart mirror that critiques your skincare routine with AI. Or those LED light therapy masks that make you look like a Marvel supervillain – upgraded with more spectra for 2026. There could be a stress-relief device that hugs you (wearable airbags?) or another attempt at a brain-wave meditation headband. Let’s not forget the beauty-tech crossovers: like a machine that 3D-prints custom foundation makeup for your face, or an automatic manicure robot.
Pet Tech and Pet Rock-Tech: Pet gadgets are gold for weirdness. We’ve seen everything from AI cat litter boxes to dog translation collars (that claim to interpret Fido’s barks). Yukai Engineering (the folks behind Mirumi) previously made Qoobo, a fluffy pillow with a wagging tail to calm you. Maybe they’ll bring a new iteration – a purring lap pillow, anyone? Also, smart pet feeders with facial recognition (to make sure the right pet eats the right food) have shown up. And sure, why not a pet fitness tracker? If your dog’s not getting 10,000 steps, you’ll know.
Household Oddballs: Every year there’s at least one appliance or household item that makes people chuckle. We’ve seen a smart toilet that tracks your “output” for health data (yes, toilet tech is a thing at CES). Also a toilet paper-fetching robot (Charmin’s RollBot in 2020). How about smart showers that promise a perfect temperature mix via app? Or the already real refrigerator with a built-in Keurig coffee brewer (from GE in 2019) – perhaps someone one-ups that with a fridge that also cooks breakfast. There was even an AI-powered spice dispenser named Spicerr, as mentioned, which truly epitomized over-engineering[18]. We won’t be shocked if 2026 brings an AI smoothie machine that concocts personalized blends based on your genome or something equally bonkers.
Transportation Gizmos: Beyond cars, CES brings out wild personal transport: electric skates, one-wheeled skateboards, hoverboard-like devices, and motorized suitcases you can ride (yes, that happened). Maybe this year someone will show an AI-driven baby stroller that follows you hands-free (actually, that did appear in 2023!). Or a flying surfboard? They already have e-foil boards; adding “smart” to it is the next step.

To illustrate the vibe, here are a few actual weird gadgets from CES 2025 that set the bar for weirdness:

Furry Purse Robot (Mirumi): We met this one in the robotics section. It’s basically a Tamagotchi come to life and clinging to your handbag[30]. Great for startling pickpockets, maybe?
Willo AI Toothbrush for Kids: This contraption (Willo AutoFlo+) looks like a mouthguard and claims to automatically brush kids’ teeth in 60 seconds, while gamifying the process via an app[64]. Helpful for parents tired of coaxing kids to brush, though the $250 price raised eyebrows. Weirdness factor: moderate, but the visual of a kid with a mouth gadget foaming away is something.
Smart Spoons and Forks: Beyond the salt spoon, there have been “smart forks” that vibrate if you eat too fast (HAPIfork from years back). Maybe 2026 brings a revival of utensil tech. A fork that counts calories as you stab food? (They can measure impedance to guess food composition, theoretically.)
Odd Smart Home Accessories: Think smart curtains that open to an alarm (not weird, actually kinda nice) or a smart bed that adjusts firmness and warms your feet (already exists via Sleep Number). How about a pillow with built-in speakers and calming electrotherapy to stop snoring? If it doesn’t exist, someone should make it.
Miscellaneous: An example from 2025 was “Electric Salt Cup” – similar to the spoon, a cup that zaps your tongue while you sip, to enhance flavor[65]. There was also an “AI-powered spice rack” (we covered Spicerr) and a salt-dispensing smart shaker. The theme: even the kitchen isn’t safe from over-engineering. We might see a smart cutting board with a built-in scale and recipe guidance. Actually, those exist too.

The wonderful part of these weird gadgets is they give CES its character. Sure, the big TVs and cars grab a lot of press, but it’s the offbeat things that often go viral on social media during the show. Everyone loves to gawk at a $400 smart trash can or a robot that folds your laundry at the speed of molasses and say, “tech has gone too far” – while secretly being amused.

One could argue that even the flops and head-scratchers serve a purpose: they spark ideas and sometimes, through iteration, lead to useful spinoffs. But in the moment, they’re just plain fun. CES is as much about the culture of consumer tech as the tech itself, and that culture includes a hearty dose of whimsy and absurdity.

Conclusion: CES 2026 – A Tech Circus Worth the Price of Admission

By now it should be clear that CES 2026 will be a microcosm of our tech zeitgeist – equal parts innovation, aspiration, and exaggeration. We’ll see genuine breakthroughs: devices that push boundaries in display technology, health monitoring, sustainable transport, and connectivity. We’ll also see a lot of marketing theater: buzzwords like “AI-powered,” “smart,” “revolutionary” plastered on products that, while neat, might not change the world quite as promised.

The major companies – Samsung, LG, Sony, Intel, NVIDIA, Amazon, and more – will use the CES stage to set their tone for the year. They’ll unveil flagship products (from giant QD-OLED TVs to cutting-edge chips) and outline visions of interconnected lifestyles. Meanwhile, hundreds of startups will hustle in the wings, hoping their quirky gadget or clever service catches a journalist’s eye and becomes the next viral tweet or investment darling.

As we wander the show floors (literally or virtually), it’s important to keep perspective. CES is a glimpse of the future, but also a funhouse mirror. Some tech you see will become ubiquitous in a few years (like how voice assistants and 4K TVs did), and some will quietly disappear (RIP to the innumerable “smart ____” products that never found a market). Part of the game is figuring out which is which. Another part is simply enjoying the spectacle – the annual tech circus where engineers, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts collectively let their imaginations run wild.

So what can you expect at CES 2026? Expect to be wowed by realistic humanoid robots and then chuckle at a robot pet rock. Expect to be blinded by 1000-nit HDR displays and deafened (in the best way) by Dolby Atmos sound setups in cars. Anticipate at least one facepalm when a company rep earnestly explains why you need an app-connected salt shaker. But also anticipate moments of genuine awe – a demo of an AR gadget or medical wearable that makes you think, “this could really change things.”

We’ll be there, eyebrow raised yet appreciative, ready to applaud the brilliance and call out the baloney. CES 2026 promises to be an unforgettable mix of tech treasure and trash (sometimes in the same product)[66]. And frankly, we wouldn’t have it any other way. Grab your popcorn (maybe a fork will count how many kernels you eat) and enjoy the show!

[1] CES 2026 Highlights: Five Devices to Anticipate - Galileo Start

https://galileostart.org/ces-2026/

[2] [3] Samsung allegedly pursues world's first rollable following Huawei tri-fold surprise | Android Central

https://www.androidcentral.com/phones/samsung-rollable-phone-pursuit-alleged-report

[4] [5] TCL's new QM9K Mini-LED TV just gave us our first glimpse of a remote-less future — this is how you might control your next TV | Tom's Guide

https://www.tomsguide.com/tvs/4k-tvs/tcls-new-qm9k-mini-led-tv-just-gave-us-our-first-glimpse-of-a-remote-less-future-this-is-how-you-might-control-your-next-tv

[6] Intel Extends Leadership in AI PCs and Edge Computing at CES 2025

https://www.intc.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1722/intel-extends-leadership-in-ai-pcs-and-edge-computing-at

[7] [22] [35] CES 2025: Jensen Huang Presents NVIDIA's Latest Innovations 

https://www.ces.tech/articles/ces-2025-jensen-huang-presents-nvidias-latest-innovations/

[8] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] CES 2025: Top 5 Smart Home Trends

https://www.parksassociates.com/blogs/home-systems-and-controls/ces-2025-top-5-smart-home-trends

[9] [23] [24] [37] [38] 227. CES 2025: An Abundance of (AI) Experimentation

https://hardcoresoftware.learningbyshipping.com/p/227-ces-2025-an-abundance-of-ai-experimentation

[10] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] CES 2025 was full of IRL AI slop | TechCrunch

https://techcrunch.com/2025/01/08/ces-2025-was-full-of-irl-ai-slop/

[11] [36] Innovative Smart Home Products Shown at CES 2025

https://innotechtoday.com/innovative-smart-home-products-shown-at-ces-2025/

[25] [26] [27] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] 17 weird, wonderful and terrifying robots we saw at CES 2025 — from a humanlike android companion to a robotic mixologist | Live Science