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CES 2026 Wraps Up: ‘Physical AI’ Dominates Discussions
As attendees finalize their departure from Las Vegas, I’d like to share some concluding observations.
The phrase “physical AI” appears to have established itself. Its longevity remains to be seen, especially given how recently terms like robotic AI and embodied AI were used interchangeably by industry leaders and investors. However, largely due to the significant impact of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, “physical AI” seems to be the industry’s chosen descriptor.
This theme was profoundly evident throughout CES.
For those who missed it, our Equity podcast, which I co-host with senior reporter Sean O’Kane and weekend editor Anthony Ha, covers the latest announcements, our insights, and key takeaways from CES 2026.
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CES 2026 Highlights: A Summary of Key Reveals and Products
While there’s much more to explore throughout Las Vegas and within our comprehensive live blog, for a rapid overview of prominent news from CES panel discussions and some of the most captivating products we tested, refer to our updated summary post here. This includes our hands-on experience with one of the event’s major highlights: the Clicks Communicator.
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Anker’s eufyMake UV Printer: A Game-Changer for Craft Enthusiasts
During my exploration of startups at CES’s Eureka Park, I encountered Anker’s eufyMake E1 UV printer, which proved to be quite impressive.
UV printers employ UV light to directly apply a specialized ink onto various objects. Essentially, if you’re looking to establish an Etsy-based business, this device is ideal. Users supply the item (at the demonstration, I observed phone cases, cologne bottles, coasters, water bottles, canvas, and metal sheets), and the printer then engraves any desired image or design onto its surface. Therefore, if your goal is to produce 200 coffee mugs featuring your cat’s photo, this machine appears capable.
While UV printers have existed for a considerable time, they’ve primarily been used in industrial settings and were previously prohibitively costly. This particular device is relatively compact, and Anker states it’s available for preorder at $2,299 (a representative indicated it would be released later this year). It also appears quite user-friendly, featuring a software suite that allows users to select from templates or create custom designs for printing on their chosen surface.
EufyMake has successfully crowdfunded the device via Kickstarter, reporting over $46 million in raised capital.
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A Closer Look at LG’s New AI Home Assistant Robot, CLOid
The electronics leader LG unveiled a new robot, named CLOid, which it asserts will transform home management by eliminating the need for manual chores. TechCrunch’s Lucas Ropek examined CLOid, characterized by LG as an AI-driven domestic robot.
Ropek reported that the robot is engineered to support users with numerous household duties, including laundry folding, meal preparation, and home surveillance for potential issues.
To gain further insights into the robot and our firsthand opinions, access the complete article here.
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Vocci Enters the Smart Ring Market with a Meeting-Focused Note-Taking Device
Last year, companies like Sandbar, founded by former Meta employees, and Pebble introduced rings designed for user note-taking. Unlike those, which focus on personal notes, Vocci is presenting a ring at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show that positions itself as a direct competitor to Plaud.
Vocci stated that its ring offers note-taking capabilities with a range of up to five meters and eight hours of continuous recording. The device will also include a charging case for additional battery life when not in use. Although the product has not yet been publicly launched, the company intends to open preorders in the coming weeks, with shipping commencing after Q1 2026. Vocci projects the ring’s price to be under $200.
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CES 2026 Day 3: Sustained Activity Amid Executive Departures
Good morning everyone! CES 2026 has reached its third day, typically a period when many high-profile executives have concluded their participation or are in the process of leaving. Nevertheless, activity remains high. Eureka Park, home to thousands of startups, is bustling, and the various halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center continue to be crowded.
Here’s a brief summary of what we observed and reported on yesterday. I conducted an onstage interview at CES with Aurora co-founder and CEO Chris Urmson and Hirschbach Motor Lines president Richard Stocking, focusing on autonomous vehicle technology and, specifically, self-driving trucks.
Additionally, Ford announced an AI assistant and enhancements to its advanced driver-assistance system. Caterpillar CEO Joe Creed delivered a keynote address discussing its collaboration with Nvidia and plans for AI integration. AMC offered a preview of its new series centered on Silicon Valley, Waymo revealed a new branding for its Zeekr robotaxi, and Roku’s founder, chairman, and CEO provided an update on the company’s new Howdy streaming channel. And much more.
Access all of TechCrunch’s CES coverage here.
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Backbone Expands Beyond Mobile Gaming Controllers into New Ventures
Maneet Khaira, founder and CEO of Backbone, is attending CES to showcase his company’s latest device, the Backbone Pro, and engage with partners and developers. While the company is not yet prepared to disclose its future initiatives, we can confirm that significant developments are anticipated. This year is set to be pivotal for the gaming accessory manufacturer as it expands its operations beyond its current mobile controller sales.
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Donut Lab Introduces Rapid-Charging Solid-State EV Battery
I visited the Donut Lab exhibit, a Finnish electric mobility startup named for its signature donut-shaped in-wheel EV motor. At CES, the company announced the debut of what it claims is the first solid-state battery ready for vehicle production.
Solid-state batteries, unlike the lithium-ion batteries commonly found in most EVs, utilize solid electrolytes instead of liquid ones. They are expected to deliver significantly higher energy density (offering more power per unit) and enhanced safety, along with slower degradation compared to lithium-ion counterparts. Furthermore, Donut states its battery can achieve a full charge in an impressively swift five minutes.
While charging durations vary across vehicle types and models, five minutes is exceptionally fast. Donut asserts that its long-range battery version can provide up to 600 kilometers on a single charge. The company also highlights that its battery mitigates many common causes of battery fires, maintaining stability across extreme temperatures and containing no flammable liquids. Consequently, it’s also designed for improved performance in cold conditions, as chilly weather is known to decrease the range of many EVs.
Donut is a subsidiary of Verge Motorcycles. Marko Lehtimaki, co-founder of Verge Motorcycle and former CTO, serves as co-founder and CEO of Donut Lab. Lehtimaki is an experienced entrepreneur, having founded several companies, including AppGyver, a no-code software startup acquired by SAP in 2021.
Donut’s new solid-state batteries (SSBs) are scheduled for integration into Verge’s motorcycles early this year, as announced by the companies this week. The batteries will be featured in Verge’s Verge TS Pro and Verge TS Ultra models. The exhibit also showcased several other partner vehicles slated to receive these batteries soon.
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Ford to Integrate AI Assistant and Enhanced BlueCruise in Future Vehicles
Ford, like other U.S. automakers, did not feature a large presence at CES 2026. However, the company made a significant announcement during a “Great Minds” speaker session, designed to delve into “the intersection of technology and humanity.”
To summarize: Ford is developing an AI assistant, which will initially launch within its smartphone application before being integrated into its vehicles by 2027. Additionally, Ford previewed a next-generation BlueCruise advanced driver-assistance system, noted for being both more cost-effective to produce and more capable, with the goal of enabling hands-free driving by 2028, as reported by senior reporter Sean O’Kane today.
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Joseph Gordon-Levitt Criticizes AI Business Models as Potentially Harmful
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, an actor who transitioned into entrepreneurship and sold his company HitRecord to MasterClass in 2022, expressed strong concerns regarding AI companies. Specifically, he fears that current business models for AI are propelling society toward an undesirable future.
During his address at the Variety Entertainment Summit at CES, Gordon-Levitt articulated that “it’s not inherently about the technology itself, but rather the commercial motivations guiding some of the leading AI corporations.”
He further emphasized that AI companies should not be excused for the unauthorized content usage facilitated by their models. He contended that Large Language Models (LLMs) have been trained on all content where humans have “invested their time, effort, and labor,” and therefore, these companies ought to obtain consent and provide compensation for the data and content used to train their models.
The audience showed their concurrence with applause at multiple junctures. Gordon-Levitt is currently directing a thriller film for Netflix, which centers on AI and will feature Rachel McAdams.
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Fox Executive Outlines Strategy for Engaging Audiences in the Streaming Era
Darren Schillace, CMO of Fox Entertainment, elucidated the brand’s strategy for leveraging various streaming platforms to attract a broader viewership. At the Variety Entertainment Summit at CES, Schillace cited “Doc,” a successful new program, as an example: it initially aired on broadcast television, appealing to older audiences, but was subsequently made available on streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu to engage a more extensive, and arguably younger, demographic.
He commented, “We will never compel younger generations to watch content on a traditional broadcast network.”
Instead, by placing “Doc” on Hulu, Fox aimed to deepen fan engagement. Bringing season 1 to Netflix also, as he stated, “generated an astonishing number of new fans.”
The company even adapts and publishes certain shows on YouTube, acknowledging that the Fox brand identity might become somewhat diluted in the process.
“Our primary measure of success is total viewership – whether it’s Gen Z, Gen Alpha, their parents, or their grandparents – it doesn’t matter to me. I simply want you to watch.”
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Test Driving Infinite Machine Scooters in Las Vegas
Away from the main exhibition area, I finally had the opportunity to test ride two scooters from Brooklyn-based Infinite Machine, a company backed by a16z.
These scooters, particularly the larger and pricier P1 model, have garnered significant attention over the last two years due to their distinctive, Cybertruck-inspired aesthetic. However, unlike many CES exhibits where style often overshadows utility, these vehicles proved to be both capable and enjoyable to operate.
Further details and my full review of each vehicle will be published later this week. Given that micromobility had a somewhat limited presence at CES this year, I’m particularly glad that these were the scooters I had the chance to evaluate.
