Tech giants to check if AI may be the primary promoting level for shopper devices at CES

At CES, the annual shopper expertise convention taking place in Las Vegas subsequent week, the most important names in tech, together with Nvidia Corp., Advanced Micro Devices Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. and Lenovo Group Ltd., will make the case for synthetic intelligence. Their audience these few days: buyers, company shoppers and — maybe simply as importantly — strange buyers who’ve but to be absolutely offered on the concept of AI-infused devices.

CES, which runs from Jan. 6-9, is the place many tech corporations unveil their wares for the yr. That contains a mixture of merchandise which can be imminently out there for buy, and idea units that will or could not go to market — and could possibly be half-baked in the event that they do. While Nvidia Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang is more likely to be probably the most charismatic showman in Vegas hyping AI’s underlying applied sciences, he’ll be surrounded by a slew of gamers testing customers’ urge for food for devices the place AI isn’t only a nice-to-have function, however the primary promoting level.

The present ground this yr might be notably populated with AI-powered {hardware}, together with the form of sensible glasses popularized by Meta Platforms Inc. and that Snap Inc. and Apple Inc. are planning to launch by the top of 2026. While Meta and Snap will each have a presence at CES, the majority of the information on this area is more likely to come from smaller manufacturers, corresponding to Xreal Inc., Vuzix Corp., Halliday Global Ltd., Rokid and Even Realities.

Meta isn’t anticipated to unveil new {hardware} right now, having just lately debuted its first sensible glasses with a built-in display screen. It is feasible, nonetheless, that the social media large is able to showcase some new or improved software program options. It’s the same story for Snap, which isn’t doubtless to decide on this venue to announce pricing and availability for its forthcoming “Specs” glasses. The Specs might be on show for attendees who haven’t had an opportunity to see them in individual, which has to date largely included choose media shops.

In addition to eyewear, corresponding to glasses and goggles, a few of these devices will take the type of a hoop or one thing else solely — underscoring that startups and Big Tech alike stay bullish on AI-first {hardware} that lets folks faucet into clever assistants with out essentially taking out their smartphone. Previous choices, together with the Humane AI Pin and the Rabbit R1, have been industrial failures after being panned by tech reviewers.

Robots all over the place

Many corporations may even be testing customers’ readiness to simply accept AI-powered humanoid robots. There might be so many gamers, the truth is, that the Consumer Technology Assn., or CTA, which organizes CES, has put aside a whole corridor of the conference area for robotics. Although a few of these robots are meant for the house, lots of the fashions on show might be designed for enterprise makes use of corresponding to manufacturing, logistics and meals service. Firms corresponding to Artly Coffee and VenHub Global will showcase expertise for AI-powered robotic cafés and comfort shops.

Companion robots might be a typical sight as nicely, together with merchandise just like the Jennie robotic canine from Tombot Inc., a California-based startup targeted on creating merchandise for ageing adults and other people dwelling with dementia.

If 2026 is just like earlier reveals, there’s more likely to be a large hole between what many of those human-inspired bots are able to in managed demos versus what their makers promise they’ll ultimately have the ability to do.

Still, there are indicators of progress. Many humanoid makers this yr are shifting from single-task demonstrations to extra complicated, multistep methods, corresponding to sorting and folding laundry. Larger gamers, together with LG, are anticipated to tease their very own humanoid ideas, however the corporations might want to persuade attendees that these machines are commercially viable amid ongoing challenges round battery life, mobility, value and security.

Everything else

Above all different classes, televisions have historically been the centerpiece of CES, with Samsung, LG, and ascendant Chinese opponents TCL and Hisense exhibiting off their brightest, largest units for the brand new yr. Sony Group Corp., as soon as a cornerstone of the conference present ground, has moved its TV product bulletins to spring in recent times and pared again its sales space in consequence.

In 2026, with high-end TVs now delivering greater than sufficient brightness and backbone for many customers, producers are more likely to deal with wider colour copy and different enhancements that end in a extra vivid, lifelike image. Aesthetically pleasing fashions like Samsung’s the Frame line have impressed a wave of clones from different TV makers, a development that’s more likely to proceed in Vegas.

CES sometimes isn’t a venue for main smartphone information, however Motorola could possibly be an exception this yr. Its guardian firm, Lenovo, is headlining one of many present’s night keynotes for the primary time, and Motorola mailed a teaser package deal to media that strongly hints at a book-style foldable. Such a tool could be its first of that kind issue after years of releasing Razr-branded folding handsets.

Meanwhile, wearables will proceed to evolve past fundamental health monitoring, blurring the traces with medical-grade units. The present will function merchandise corresponding to a sensible evening guard that not solely protects towards enamel grinding but in addition claims to observe sleep apnea occasions, coronary heart price, respiration and sleep cycles. Wearables generally are anticipated to supply a higher deal with ladies’s well being, steady glucose monitoring, superior cardiovascular monitoring, longevity and chronic-condition administration.

Kelly and Welch write for Bloomberg.