This is the third episode of the CES 2026 series. If you haven’t listened to the previous two episodes yet, make sure to start there first. In this episode, we leave the automotive halls and explore the most important non-automotive technology trends that shaped CES 2026: - The Revenge of the Analog - Humanoid Robots and AI - Smart Glasses as a new HMI layer - Household appliances as smart-home computing hubs - Exoskeletons and human augmentation - The rise of Physical AI One of the most striking observations at CES 2026 was what could be called “The Revenge of the Analog.” Amid AI demos, immersive displays and touch-heavy interfaces, some of the longest queues formed around surprisingly low-tech experiences: pinball machines, physical chess boards, and tangible interaction. These were not nostalgic gimmicks but strong signals. As digital systems become more complex, users increasingly value tangible, haptic, and embodied interaction. The future is not digital or analog, it is digitally intelligent systems expressed through human-friendly, physical interfaces. Another major takeaway: robotics and artificial intelligence have fully converged. Robots are no longer just machines that move, they perceive, interpret, learn and adapt. At CES, robots appeared as embodied AI systems designed to create real value for humans by taking over repetitive, physically demanding or cognitively exhausting tasks. The conversation is shifting from automation to interaction, from technology as spectacle to technology as real human value creation. Smart glasses are also maturing into a new everyday interface. Instead of bulky XR headsets, lightweight and socially acceptable glasses are emerging as ambient, always-on interfaces that provide context-aware information only when needed, quietly bridging the gap between humans and intelligent environments. In parallel, household appliances are evolving into central computing hubs for the smart home. Refrigerators, ovens and washing machines are becoming connected, AI-enabled anchors that coordinate devices, services and data locally, improving responsiveness, privacy and ease of use. Exoskeletons highlighted a growing focus on physical human augmentation. Rather than replacing people, these systems support movement, reduce physical strain and help address labor shortages and aging workforces. They represent a clear shift toward humane technology that works with the human body rather than replacing it. Finally, CES showcased the rise of Physical AI, intelligent systems embedded in physical machines that perceive the real world, reason about complex situations and act in real time. From robots and drones to autonomous vehicles and smart appliances, AI is moving beyond the digital realm and into the physical world.
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Feb 20 202636 mins