CES 2026: Robots, AI, and the Future We're Already Living

Walking into CES 2026 in Las Vegas, two letters were plastered everywhere: AI. But the real buzzword? Physical AI. This year's show was all about moving robotics from the lab into our homes and workplaces. I talked to the people who actually use these tools, and here's what they had to say.

Humanoids: The Star Attraction

Jensen Huang's keynote wasn't the only place to spot humanoids at CES. They were everywhere, from booths showcasing child-sized educational robots to towering industrial giants like Boston Dynamics' Atlas. But let's be real: while humanoids are fascinating, they're far from consumer-ready.

Take Booster's classroom robots, for instance. At $10k a pop, they're more a novelty than a necessity. Meanwhile, Unitree's dancing bots, though impressive in motion, are mostly remote-controlled. The gap between the keynote and the cubicle is enormous. When will these gadgets actually make our lives easier?

Companion Robots: Cute but Capable?

If humanoids are the showstoppers, companion robots are the crowd-pleasers. Beijing-based KEYi Tech's Loona, a pint-sized robot pet, charmed attendees with its playful antics. But will the charm last, or will it end up collecting dust as a forgotten toy? Companies are betting on continuous updates to keep them relevant, but isn't that a risky wager?

We also saw entries like Ludens AI's INU, a 'desktop alien' reminding users to take breaks. It's cute, sure, but does it really change anything about our work habits, or just give us a new distraction?

Industrial Robotics: The Real MVPs

While CES is a consumer-focused event, the most promising developments were in industrial robotics. Hyundai's collaboration with Boston Dynamics and their modular MobED platform could revolutionize factory floors. These aren't just flashy tech. they're real-world solutions making a difference today.

The press release said AI transformation. The employee survey said otherwise. For all the hype, the practical applications are still rooted in industrial settings. Until these robots can handle the unpredictability of a home environment, their place is clear.

So, what's the takeaway from CES 2026? Humanoids and companion robots promise a lot but deliver a little. The real action is in industrial applications, where robots are already proving their worth. When will consumer robots catch up? That's the million-dollar question.