CES 2026, the annual consumer electronics showcase held in Las Vegas, has drawn the industry’s leading names as companies race to embed AI into hardware ranging from laptop chips to home robots. Artificial intelligence anchored nearly every major product announcement on the show’s first day, according to the Associated Press.
LAS VEGAS — Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang used the opening day of CES 2026 on Monday to introduce a suite of artificial intelligence products built around the company’s concept of “physical AI” — systems trained in simulated environments before deployment as physical machines — while rival chipmakers AMD and Intel unveiled competing AI hardware and humanoid robots from Hyundai-owned Boston Dynamics and LG competed for attention on the show floor.
Huang introduced Cosmos, a foundation model Nvidia said is trained on massive datasets and capable of simulating environments governed by actual physics, and Alpamayo, an AI model designed specifically for autonomous driving. He said Nvidia’s next-generation superchip platform, Vera Rubin, is in full production, and announced a new partnership with Siemens AG.
CES 2026, held annually in Las Vegas, has drawn the industry’s leading names as companies race to embed AI into hardware ranging from laptop chips to home robots. Artificial intelligence anchored nearly every major product announcement on the show’s first day, according to the Associated Press.
Chip competition intensifies
AMD CEO Lisa Su announced a new line of Ryzen AI processors at the show, extending the company’s push into AI-powered personal computers, along with the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D, the latest version of its gaming-focused processor line.
Intel announced Panther Lake — also known as the Intel Core Ultra Series 3 — a new AI chip for laptops, and said the company plans to launch a new platform for the growing handheld video gaming market. The company has faced years of difficulty after missing the shift to mobile computing triggered by the smartphone era and then falling further behind as the AI boom elevated Nvidia. The Trump administration recently secured a 10% stake in Intel, according to the Associated Press, with federal officials saying the investment was intended to support U.S. technology and domestic manufacturing.
Humanoid robots on the show floor
Hyundai-owned Boston Dynamics gave the first public demonstration of its humanoid robot Atlas at CES on Monday, intensifying a competition with Tesla and other rivals to build robots that look and move like people. The company said a version of Atlas designed to help assemble cars is already in production and will be deployed by 2028 at Hyundai’s electric vehicle manufacturing facility near Savannah, Georgia.
Korean electronics maker LG also gave media a glimpse of a humanoid robot designed to handle household chores such as folding laundry and fetching food. LG said the robot would be on full display beginning Tuesday when the show opened to the public.
Uber returns to the robotaxi market
Uber, along with luxury electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid Motors and vehicle technology company Nuro, gave the public its first look at a robotaxi featuring an Uber-designed in-cabin experience. The vehicle uses cameras, sensors and radars providing 360-degree perception and a low-profile roof panel with integrated LEDs designed to display riders’ initials and track ride status. Inside, riders can control climate, seat heating and music while real-time visuals show what the vehicle sees on the road.
Autonomous on-road testing began in December in San Francisco, led by Nuro, according to the Associated Press. The companies said a commercial launch is planned before the end of 2026.
Lego goes interactive with Star Wars
Lego announced its Smart Play platform on Monday, introducing new smart bricks and tags containing sensors capable of detecting light and distance and triggering lights and sounds when used together. Lucasfilm chief creative officer David Filoni appeared at the event to announce a new Lego partnership with the Star Wars franchise, enabling what the company said would be interactive space battles and lightsaber duels using the new sensor-equipped bricks.
Other announcements
Delta Air Lines announced a multiyear partnership with Sphere Entertainment Co. that will bring Delta branding to the Las Vegas venue and give SkyMiles members access to exclusive experiences beginning during the Backstreet Boys’ residency in February.
Lollipop Star, a smaller exhibitor, unveiled musical lollipops it said use bone induction technology to play songs through the candy as it is consumed; the company said rapper and singer Akon was expected to visit its booth when the show opened to the public Tuesday.