CES 2026 Preview: AI, Robots, and Wearables Take Center Stage

As 2026 begins, the technology sector is set for its annual opening showcase: the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Leaders from Nvidia, AMD, Intel, Lenovo, and other global tech giants will take the stage to unveil their latest products and concepts.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang will not deliver a standalone keynote on the main stage, but he will appear at NVIDIA Live events and alongside partners. His remarks are expected to focus on “Physical AI,” highlighting the expansion of AI into robotics and industrial applications.

AMD CEO Lisa Su will present the company’s latest AI solutions. AMD may also unveil its next-generation mobile processor lineup, the Ryzen AI 400 series, featuring up to 12 Zen 5 cores and an enhanced neural processing unit (NPU).

Following the executives’ speeches, CES will shift into its core attraction: consumer electronics showcases. Several major product categories are expected to stand out.

Robots

CES organizers have dedicated an entire exhibition hall to robotics. A wide range of industrial robots will be displayed, designed for manufacturing, logistics, and food-service applications.

Smart cleaning robots are set for intense competition at CES 2026, particularly from mainland Chinese manufacturers such as Dreame, known for its robotic vacuum cleaners.

As global aging accelerates, demand for companion and caregiving robots is rising rapidly. Many robotics companies are focusing on daily assistance tasks, including sorting and folding clothes.

Televisions

Although traditional TV usage rates continue to decline, premium televisions remain a CES centerpiece. Samsung, LG, TCL, and Hisense will showcase cutting-edge large-screen TVs. For most consumers, brightness and resolution are already sufficient, so upgrades are expected to focus on color accuracy and image quality.

Smartphones

CES is not typically a major venue for smartphones, but Motorola may be an exception. The company has strongly hinted at launching a book-style foldable phone.

Devices that appear at CES tend to be unconventional, such as Samsung’s Galaxy Z Trifold, a tri-fold smartphone concept.

Wearables

Meta recently launched smart glasses with built-in displays and may announce further updates at CES. Snap is also expected to reveal performance details and pricing for its “Specs” smart glasses.

Beyond AI glasses, companies may introduce wearable devices such as watches and rings. These products allow users to access AI features without pulling out a smartphone and are widely viewed as the next major growth pillar in consumer electronics.

Automobiles

An increasing number of automakers are using CES as a technology spotlight to debut innovations. Autonomous driving and flying cars are expected to be key battlegrounds among carmakers.