New frontiers in robotics at CES 2026 - Robohub

At CES 2026, physical AI—embodied intelligence manifested as robots—emerged as a dominant theme, signaling a shift from experimental lab research to consumer technology. The event showcased how robotics is increasingly integrated into everyday products, with major brands beyond traditional robotics companies embracing this trend. Although the consumer robotics on display may not match cutting-edge academic research in sophistication, they represent innovation driven by consumer needs and manufacturability. The scale and diversity of the show highlighted the growing commercial and public interest in robotics, particularly humanoid robots. Humanoids were a central focus at CES 2026, reflecting their rise as a major trend in robotics. Exhibitors ranged from Booster, which offered child-sized humanoid robots designed for educational purposes and already achieving strong sales at $10,000 each, to Unitree, which impressed audiences with agile humanoid robots capable of boxing, dancing, and acrobatics. Unitree’s advancements leveraged improved actuators and reinforcement learning to enhance adaptability and performance. Meanwhile