Hardware Asylum at CES 2026

If you ask anyone about the overall theme for CES 2026 they will say AI.  That is a difficult statement to qualify since most said it in disgust like they were expecting something different.  The majority of the AI was designed to be physical or, AI that we can use or interact with.  What most do not understand is that we have had physical AI for years but, the compute power has finally gotten fast enough to where it can become useful.

There were two highlights that I wanted to bring up in this section.  The first is maybe the best representation of a proper robot that is not only useful but also practical.  Sentigent Technology was showing off Rovar X3, the first completely autonomous two wheeled robot intended to be a hiking buddy or walking companion.  What I find great about this product is that it wouldn’t be possible without the invention of the Segway and reminds me heavily of the Cozmo.  Cozmo was a miniture toy robot that you could play games with and could be programmed to do certain things.  The Rovar X3 is a much larger version of that concept, complete with the eyes that will react when it sees a human or commands that it recognizes.

During CES there was a live demonstration that people walking by could either watch or interact with.  Waving at the Rovar will prompt it to do a little dance and you could motion it to move somewhere else similar to commands you might issue to your dog.

While this technology is rather early it exemplifies the types of robots that people need and could find helpful.  Sure, a humanoid version might be able to do more but, they are also 1000x more complex and are not 1000x more useful.

Speaking of humanoid robots there were several on the show floor including these created by a company with absolutely no imagination when it comes to product design.  I wouldn’t be surprised if the area behind the faux arc reactor is the battery.

Not to be outdone, here is a copy of the robot from Wall-E including a version in full cosplay.

The final item is a fully electric Bobcat skid steer tractor.  It runs and operates like a Bobcat but without having to start an engine or huff exhaust

Across the hall was a fully autonomous concept loader based on the most popular Bobcat designs.  Bobcat skid steer tractors are complex machines and insanely fun to operate but, I am not sure we need a fully robotic one.  Either way it was an amazing representation of excellent product design and a taste of the future that is now possible.