CES 2026 opened in Las Vegas with the usual flood of processors, platforms, and promises. But by the end of day one, it was clear what truly grabbed attention. Robots. Familiar pop culture faces. Homes that think for themselves. And a sense that artificial intelligence is no longer a feature, but the backdrop to everything.
Beneath the noise, a few themes stood out. And some moments genuinely surprised even seasoned CES watchers.
Jensen Huang, AI Chips, and Robots Steal the Spotlight
If there was a single figure who owned day one, it was Jensen Huang.
The Nvidia chief took the stage to outline his company’s latest advances in AI computing, reinforcing Nvidia’s grip on the infrastructure powering everything from data centers to humanoid robots.
But what drew the loudest reactions was not a slide deck.
It was the robots.
Huang was seen kneeling in front of a small robot companion during Nvidia’s event, a moment that instantly spread across social media. The message was subtle but effective. AI is no longer abstract. It has a body now.
Nvidia’s pitch leaned heavily on AI everywhere. In chips, in machines, in physical space. The audience, frankly, loved it.
Samsung’s AI Home Pushes Further Into Everyday Life
While Nvidia played to spectacle, Samsung Electronics focused on the home.
The company laid out its vision of a fully connected living space powered by AI. Televisions that adapt to viewing habits. Appliances that respond to usage patterns. Mobile devices that tie it all together.
Samsung framed the home as an ecosystem rather than a collection of gadgets.
The idea is simple. Devices talk to each other. AI sits quietly in the background, making decisions before users even realize they need help.
Whether consumers want that level of automation remains an open question. But Samsung made it clear. This is where it’s heading, and fast.
LG Turns Screens Into Art With a Paper-Thin Twist
LG Electronics took a different approach.
It revived its ultra-thin, wallpaper-style TV, now enhanced with AI features that allow users to create and upload custom artwork. The panel, just 9 millimeters thick, is designed to blend into walls so seamlessly it almost disappears.
This wasn’t about raw performance.
It was about aesthetics and identity.
LG is betting that TVs no longer need to dominate a room. They can fade into it, then reappear when needed. AI helps manage that transformation, adjusting visuals and content dynamically.
It’s a niche idea. But CES is built on niche ideas that sometimes become mainstream.
LEGO Mixes Play, Pop Culture, and Smart Tech
One of the more charming surprises came from LEGO Group.
At its CES event, LEGO executives shared the stage with familiar Star Wars characters, including Chewbacca, while unveiling new smart bricks and connected play concepts.
The focus was on blending physical play with digital interaction.
A LEGO smart brick, shown off during the presentation, hints at a future where builds can respond, adapt, and interact with digital worlds. Think less screen time, more hybrid imagination.
Julia Goldin, LEGO’s chief product and marketing officer, emphasized creativity over control. The tech is meant to enhance play, not replace it.
Parents watching closely seemed relieved by that framing.
Atlas the Robot Brings Industrial AI to the CES Stage
Robots were everywhere on day one, but one stood out.
The humanoid Atlas robot, developed by Boston Dynamics and showcased alongside Hyundai Motor Group, appeared on stage in Las Vegas, reinforcing the link between advanced robotics and real-world work.
Atlas is no longer just a viral video star.
It is being positioned as a future factory worker, capable of handling physical tasks in environments built for humans. Its presence at CES signaled how close industrial AI is getting to everyday deployment.
For many attendees, this felt less like science fiction and more like a preview of the next decade of labor.
CLOiD and the Rise of Friendly Home Robots
LG returned to the robot theme later in the day with CLOiD, a home robot designed to interact directly with people.
CLOiD waved, reacted, and responded to the audience, blurring the line between appliance and companion.
This category has struggled in the past. Home robots often feel gimmicky or intrusive. LG’s approach leans into personality and assistance rather than novelty.
Whether consumers will invite such devices into their living rooms remains uncertain. But the interest was unmistakable.
AI Was Everywhere, Even When It Wasn’t Announced
Beyond the headline moments, one thing was consistent.
Artificial intelligence was embedded in almost every product category. Chips. TVs. Toys. Robots. Appliances. Even displays and sensors quietly referenced AI-driven optimization.
It felt less like a trend and more like infrastructure.
Companies were not asking whether to include AI. They were asking how to package it in a way that feels useful, familiar, and maybe even fun.
Some succeeded better than others. But the direction was clear.
CES Day One, In One Snapshot
Here’s what stood out most clearly from the opening day:
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AI is shifting from software to physical form
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Robots are becoming central, not experimental
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Consumer tech is blending into daily environments
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Familiar brands are using pop culture to soften complex tech
CES has always been about possibility. Day one of 2026 leaned heavily into presence. Machines that move. Homes that respond. Toys that think.
