This week, CES, the annual tech event in Las Vegas, kicked off, featuring a range of innovative robots, gadgets, and toys expected to be popular in 2026.
From a robot that can fold laundry to sophisticated alarm clocks and even musical lollipops, here’s a look at some of the highlights from the first couple of days at the show.
Robot Folding Laundry
LG revealed its humanoid assistant called CLOiD, which is designed to do tasks like loading clothes into washers and dryers, stacking and folding laundry, toasting croissants, and retrieving milk from the fridge.
With aims of creating a “zero-labour home,” CLOiD features two five-fingered hands, a fully articulated arm, and the ability to talk and display facial expressions, albeit with a black-screen face.
However, during its presentation, CLOiD struggled a bit, taking a slow 30 seconds just to grab a towel from Brandt Varner, LG’s VP of sales. It’s a bit disconcerting to think about how long it might take for a full laundry load to be sorted. The bot was similarly careful when fetching the milk, raising some concern about its clumsiness. While it’s uncertain when CLOiD will be sold, there’s some talk about integrating it with other LG smart home devices.
This Bot Can Lift 110 Pounds
Another standout was Atlas, a humanoid robot unveiled this week by Boston Dynamics, a company known for its remarkable robotic creations, including those somewhat eerie robot dogs. Atlas demonstrated its capabilities by collapsing on stage before standing up and moving around gracefully—oddly fluid movements, like it was swirling its torso gently.
Although it can lift up to 110 pounds, Atlas didn’t show off that strength in the demo. Instead, it just waved at attendees in a manner that was reminiscent of Queen Elizabeth II. Hyundai plans to install Atlas in its Savannah, Georgia manufacturing facility by 2028.
Samsung Foldable Smartphone
The Trifold from Samsung stole the spotlight, combining features of both a smartphone and a tablet in a device with three folding panels, making it easy to adjust screen size and fit it in your pocket.
Even with what Samsung claims is the largest battery they’ve ever added to a foldable device, the Trifold is remarkably thin, measuring only 3.9mm at its slimmest. There’s no US release date yet, but it’s anticipated to cost upwards of $2,500.
Your Dog Needs a Phone Too
Wondering about when it’s too young for a phone? Well, now there’s a $90 device for your pet that attaches to their collar, helping track their location, play soothing music, and even facilitating two-way calls.
Additionally, you can attach small cameras to these pet phones to see the world from your pet’s perspective as they roam around the house or take naps. With a tap on the GlocalMe app, owners can call their pets and command them to settle down or just say hi. Caution, though—if your Jack Russell jumps three times in under a minute, it might just call for you!
Singing Candy
If you’re looking for a mix of candy and music, Lolipop Star is the answer. This lollipop creates sounds only you can hear using vibrations from the stick that transmit from your skull to your inner ear.
Lava, the maker of this treat, is collaborating with three pop artists to offer flavors tied to their music—peach for Ice Spice, blueberry for Akon, and lime for Armani White. Each candy will sell for around $9. However, social media users have pointed out that the technology feels a bit outdated, recalling its use in Hasbro toothbrushes from the early 2000s.
Fuzzy Bionic Panda
Meet An’An, an AI-powered bionic panda cub designed by Mind With Heart Robotics. Aimed at offering companionship for seniors experiencing cognitive decline and for children with social struggles, this adorable bot responds to touch and mimics real panda behavior.
Equipped with over ten sensors, An’An can learn to recognize different voices and behaviors. It even comes with an app for task management and reminders, though using a phone app might not be the simplest option for older adults.
Smarter Lego
Lego is moving into the digital age with its new smart bricks. Essentially, this is a computer system packed within a standard 2×4 Lego brick, aiming to keep playtime screen-free while still being in tune with modern technology.
Launching on March 1 as part of a Star Wars collection, the Smart Brick features a tiny custom chip and works with smart minifigures to offer interactive sounds and lights during your building experience.
Sunglasses That Change Color
These high-tech frames are a modern twist on 1970s sunglasses that darken in sunlight. With Povec’s new design, you can adjust the tint with just a touch, employing electrochromic technology perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.
But, be prepared for a high price tag; scheduled for release in May, they will retail between $250 and $300.
Anti-Doom Scrolling Device
Ambient’s Dreamy is a compact new alarm clock that gradually brightens like the sun, offering a gentler wake-up experience. It’s smaller than many of its competitors and doesn’t rely on an app, encouraging users to unplug before bedtime.
The device features a touchscreen for setting alarms or choosing relaxing music and can pair with wireless headphones, too. However, at a price of $249.99, it’s notably pricier than similar devices on the market.
