The hardware needed to build fully functional humanoid robots is no longer the bottleneck holding us back from a sci-fi future. I was completely glued to my screen watching this recap of CES 2026 because the gap between concept and reality is finally closing. This talented creator actually flew out to the expo floor to test the wildest tech firsthand, giving us a tour of everything from gravity-defying drones to wheelchairs that drive themselves.
It is fascinating to see how many “concepts” are finally becoming purchasable products. The industry seems to be shifting away from purely theoretical vaporware toward practical, refined tools that solve specific human problems. While we haven’t quite reached the era of a robot butler in every home, the leap in autonomous navigation and display technology this year is significant. The creator highlighted that while the jumps between yearly expos might feel smaller, the refinement of existing tech is where the real magic is happening right now.
🎥 The New Era of Visuals: “Fly First, Frame Later” and Pocket 3D
One of the most impressive findings from the event is how consumer visual tech is removing the need for professional skills. The creator showcased the Antigravity A1 Drone, which fundamentally changes how aerial footage is captured. If you have ever tried to fly a drone while simultaneously controlling a camera gimbal, you know how difficult it is to get a cinematic shot without crashing. This device solves that by capturing a full 8K 360-degree view at all times.
Here is why this is significant:
- Total Freedom: You don’t frame the shot while flying. You just fly the drone, and because it records everything in every direction, you choose your camera angles later in post-production.
- Zero Interference: Looking around via the goggles doesn’t change the drone’s flight path. It operates like a moving 360-degree bubble.
- Regulatory Ease: It weighs 249 grams, which means it sits right under the limit requiring FAA registration in the US.
The expert also tested the XREAL 1S Glasses, which are bringing 3D gaming to the masses without bulky VR headsets. The standout feature here is the proprietary X1 chip. It doesn’t just display video; it takes any 2D content, whether it’s a retro video game, a YouTube video, or a spreadsheet, and converts it into 3D in real-time.
- Hardware Specs: It projects a virtual 500-inch screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and Micro OLED display.
- The Catch: The creator noted that the 3D conversion can cause the glasses to heat up and the frame rate to drop to 30fps, so while it is awesome, the tech is still maturing.
🦼 Autonomous Mobility: From Wheelchairs to Robot Taxis
Perhaps the most heartwarming and practical application of AI seen at the show was the Strutt EV1 Autonomous Wheelchair. The original poster described it as the “Waymo of wheelchairs,” and the comparison is spot on. This isn’t just a motorized chair; it is a self-driving vehicle designed for indoor and outdoor accessibility.
Using LiDAR, cameras, and ultrasonic sensors, the chair maps its environment. A user can simply tap a location on a map or use voice commands like “Take me to the fridge,” and the chair navigates there automatically, avoiding obstacles like pets or furniture.
- Cost Breakdown: Surprisingly, the creator mentioned this is listed at around $5,300 for early pre-orders. While expensive, this is drastically cheaper than many medical-grade mobility devices, especially considering the autonomous tech packed inside.
- Design Smarts: It features omni-directional wheels for tight turns and breaks down into three parts so it can fit in a car trunk.
On the larger scale of mobility, the video highlighted the massive expansion of Waymo and Zoox. Waymo has now completed over 14 million rides and is expanding internationally to London and Tokyo. Meanwhile, Zoox (owned by Amazon) is rolling out carriage-style, steering-wheel-free robot taxis with face-to-face seating. The industry is clearly moving past the testing phase into full commercial deployment.
🤖 The Humanoid Robot Surge and Shapeshifting Laptops
If you thought robots were still clunky science projects, this update proves otherwise. The creator noted that over 40 distinct companies showcased humanoid robots this year. The consensus is that the mechanical engineering is ready: the robots can walk, flip, and grasp objects, but the software “brains” are still catching up.
- The Highs: Boston Dynamics’ Atlas continues to impress with its agility, and the Unitree G1 was seen moonwalking and boxing.
- The Lows: LG’s robot attempted to fold laundry but moved at a painfully slow pace, and another robot literally face-planted into a journalist. It serves as a funny reminder that while the hardware looks human, the coordination isn’t quite there yet.
Finally, for the gadget lovers, the Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable Laptop stole the show as a concept device. We have seen foldable phones, but this is a rollable screen that expands horizontally.
- The Mechanism: A motorized system unrolls the OLED screen from a standard 16-inch 16:10 display into a massive 24-inch ultra-wide 24:9 monitor.
- The Utility: This form factor is brilliant for creators and gamers who need screen real estate but still want a portable backpack-friendly device. While it is currently just a concept without a price tag, it represents a potential future where we don’t need to choose between portability and screen size.
If you want to see the footage of that robot face-planting or the drone in action, you definitely need to watch the full video linked below!