Artificial intelligence transforms work, life and entertainment at 2026 Consumer Electronics Show

At the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, artificial intelligence (AI) moved decisively from the lab to real-world applications.

Submissions to the CES Innovation Awards reflected that shift, with entries in the robotics category rising by about one-third from 2025, while AI and drone submissions also posted strong double-digit growth.

"We're seeing a major shift in views towards Chinese companies in 2026, and the last few years, there's been an evolution of more Chinese tech, more Chinese brands going overseas," said Chris Pereira, a CES Innovation Awards judge. He noted that China's execution capabilities have become more prominent.

Chinese robotics firms dominated the stage, presenting humanoid, wheeled, and service robots performing tasks in homes, factories, and logistics centers. With cumulative shipments in the thousands and China accounting for more than half of humanoid robotics exhibitors, the sector shows rapid domestic growth and expanding international reach.

Unitree Robotics H1 humanoid, AgiBot's A2 bipedal robot, and Fourier Intelligence's GR-3 care robot exemplified practical, real-world applications, from household chores to assisted care, reflecting China's global leadership in embodied intelligence.

Beyond robotics, AI exhibits spanned work, life, and entertainment, signaling a shift from isolated tools to interconnected, adaptive systems. In professional settings, Lenovo's Qira AI agent illustrated proactive task coordination across devices.

Daily-life applications were reflected in wearable and AR devices. RayNeo's eSIM-enabled AR glasses Provide the first standalone smart glasses that do not exist independently of a mobile phone.

Alibaba's Quark AI Glasses and Rokid models also offers seamless, untethered interactions integrated into personal routines. Rokid told Global Times that it has over 100,000 active users across 115 countries, showing Chinese smart glasses are now entering international markets and competing with global brands like Meta and Apple.

In entertainment and creative applications, AI enhanced sensory experiences and productivity. Kling AI's model enabled automated short-video creation, reshaping the creative workflows. Hisense's H7 AI picture-processing chip refined home viewing, earning the company one of their CES Innovation Award.

Other Chinese honorees, including Yinglings 8K 360 drone, Netvue's smart birdbath, Zettlab's AI-powered storage, and Aiper's autonomous pool-cleaning robot, blended automation, perception, and interaction to enrich lifestyle and leisure experiences.