CES 2026: AI is influencing every facet of consumer life, from digital to physical

CES 2026 Showcases AI-Powered Consumer Tech Amid Geopolitical Uncertainty

From AI-powered home chefs and smart dental floss to shape-shifting beds, robo-pets and humanoid companions for the elderly, artificial intelligence dominated CES 2026, appearing in a wide range of consumer technologies. The world’s largest technology trade fair delivered a mix of futuristic innovation, wonder and whimsy, with AI embedded across products and platforms.

While technology brought the global tech ecosystem together in Las Vegas during the first working week of 2026, geopolitical tensions and trade uncertainties loomed large. Indian founders expressed concerns over tariffs and their impact on pricing, while Chinese startups delayed US product launches. Several companies debated whether to shift manufacturing or assembly to the US or third countries to remain competitive.

“As of now, we are absorbing the tariff costs and have not passed them on to consumers, but if it goes up even more, we have to reimagine our manufacturing and supply chain,” said the product head of an audio company at the event.

An Indian startup founder planning to sell in the US said decisions around local distribution would depend on the tariff regime. “If it becomes prohibitively expensive, we will have to consider manufacturing in a third country, or maybe assemble the units in the US. I have already created an American entity for the same,” he said.

Innovation Takes Centre Stage

In terms of innovation, smart mobility, healthtech, agetech and robotics emerged as standout themes. Driverless mobility drew significant attention, with major companies outlining their roadmaps.

Bosch showcased its vision for personalised cockpits in autonomous vehicles. “After automated driving, what you want next is a personalised car—maybe to work on the go—which requires integration of tools like Microsoft Office, something we have already done,” said Tanja Rueckert, global chief digital officer, Bosch.

Nvidia highlighted its push to bring AI from the digital to the physical world through partnerships in the automotive sector. “As the automotive industry embraces physical AI, Nvidia will be the intelligence backbone that makes every vehicle programmable, updatable and perpetually improving through data and software,” said Ali Kani, vice president, automotive, at Nvidia.

Rise of Robotics and Smart Companions

Robotics was another major focus area. South Korean technology major LG showcased its vision of zero-labour homes through its Cloid humanoid robot, designed to manage daily household chores. “Our deep understanding of customer lifestyles is a powerful advantage that will help set a new standard for future homes, including robots,” said Lyu Jae-Cheol, CEO, LG.

Chinese startup Ollobot presented a robo-pet capable of reading gestures and body language, while Japanese startup LudensAI showcased Cocomo, an AI-powered companion robot with memory and bonding capabilities.

Hyper-Personalisation Through AI

Hyper-personalisation emerged as a key driver of interest at CES 2026. Products such as AI-enabled massage chairs adapted their functions based on time of day and user stress levels.

Hyderabad-based startup Cama showcased a shape-shifting bed that adapts to individual sleeping patterns. “If there is a pregnant lady on the bed, it will automatically push her into a side-sleeping posture and not let her sleep straight,” said Teja Vinukollu, founder, Cama.

In mobility, companies demonstrated AI-powered features such as smart glasses in cars that can scan billboards and enable instant retail purchases while on the move.

AI’s Broader Impact

Beyond gadgets, discussions repeatedly turned to AI’s broader impact on jobs and skills. A senior tech executive said he had never witnessed disruption on this scale in his three decades in the industry.

Hemant Taneja, CEO of General Catalyst, said future job creation would be less about degrees and more about mindset. “It’s about learning to ask the right questions rather than solving entire worlds of hard problems. That requires a very different mindset, rooted in curiosity,” he said.

Overall, CES 2026 underlined how AI is reshaping everyday life, even as businesses navigate economic and geopolitical headwinds in an increasingly complex global environment.