CES 2026 Las Vegas: Robotics Takes Center Stage as Show Opens January 6

Forget the metaverse—this year, the machines are taking over.

The Consumer Electronics Show kicks off its 2026 edition in Las Vegas on January 6, and the chatter isn't about foldable phones or incremental TV upgrades. The entire conversation is being hijacked by robotics. From warehouse logistics to domestic helpers, the floor will be crawling with autonomous systems promising to reshape entire industries.

From Niche to Mainstage

What was once a specialized corner of the hall has bulldozed its way to the main event. Expect demos that aren't just concept videos—they're functional prototypes solving real-world inefficiencies. The narrative has shifted from 'what if' to 'how soon.'

The Integration Play

The real story isn't individual bots, but the ecosystems forming around them. Watch for platforms that manage fleets, software that enables cross-brand communication, and the underlying connectivity making it all possible. It's a land grab for the operating system of the physical world.

The Bottom Line

While venture capitalists foam at the mouth over 'the next big platform shift,' remember that most of these shiny machines will be loss-leaders for years. The real money, as always, will be in the picks and shovels—the sensors, chips, and middleware. Another tech cycle, another wave of hype looking for a business model that doesn't rely on selling your data or monthly subscriptions for your own dishwasher. The future is automated, but the path to profitability remains stubbornly manual.

A proving ground where chip manufacturers compete for attention

Jensen Huang, who runs Nvidia, will speak at 1:00 p.m. PT on Jan. 5, as reported by Cryptopolitan previously. His company finished 2025 valued at $4.5 trillion in the stock market. Attendees expect him to announce new gaming products along with artificial intelligence tools and services.

Hours later, at 6:30 p.m. PT, Lisa Su from AMD will present her company’s response, sharing updates about gaming and AI offerings.

Intel also has a slot on the schedule. Jim Johnson, a senior vice president who oversees the company’s Client Computing Group responsible for selling computer chips, will talk about the Core Ultra Series 3 processors. These chips carry the code name Panther Lake and use Intel’s new 18A technology, which the company first mentioned in October. The processors represent a significant piece of Intel’s plan to turn around its business.

Qualcomm’s leader, Cristiano Amon, will join a conversation with Andrew Nusca from Fortune magazine. Last year at CES, Qualcomm introduced its Snapdragon X-series chips for Windows computers, and the company is likely to build on that launch.

All these chip makers are expected to discuss how their products will run physical AI systems, which is the technical name for robots. Visitors will see humanoid robots walking around, plus robotic arms, drones powered by AI, and cars that drive themselves scattered throughout Las Vegas during the show.

Flying cars remain a big draw at CES

This year will probably feature concepts for flying cars, which have appeared regularly in recent years. Car companies will also demonstrate how they are putting AI into vehicle dashboard systems.

Wearable devices with AI could make their first appearance at CES 2026. These might come as smart rings, glasses, or pins. Smart glasses have gotten more attention after Meta released its Ray-Ban Display glasses in September. Google and Samsung are working on their own versions.

Apple is also reportedly considering smart glasses, though the company does not attend CES. Instead, Apple holds its own carefully planned events at its California headquarters in Cupertino throughout the year.

CES typically includes some unusual products

Past years have featured smart toilets and special forks meant to encourage healthier eating habits.

Companies ranging from major corporations to small startups will fill the famous Strip and convention center, showing both serious products and experimental items that may never reach customers. While CES officially starts on Jan. 6, early events like CES Unveiled and press conferences begin days before.

Artificial intelligence will appear throughout the show in various forms, from computers designed specifically for AI work to new chip designs that power these systems.

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