CES Unveiled 2026: Where the Future Got Personal
- Priscilla Nakane
- Jan 25
- 4 min read
Each CES week, before the massive CES show floor opens to the public, there’s a quieter, more curated moment that sets the tone for the week ahead. CES Unveiled is an invitation-only media preview designed to introduce journalists, creators, and industry insiders to emerging technologies before they hit the spotlight. Hosted annually on the eve of CES at Mandalay Bay, the event gives startups and established brands a chance to showcase what’s coming next — and why it matters. As media, this is one of the events we look forward to as it gives us the opportunity to discover new tech brands and startups in a more intimate setting. We have a chance to get up close and personal with the founders, the visionaries, and hear the why behind the what.
On Sunday, January 4, CES Unveiled brought together global media, founders, and early-stage innovators for a first look at the tech shaping the year ahead. And if there was one clear takeaway from the room, it was this:
technology is no longer just smart, it’s personal.
From AI companions to health-driven innovation and lifestyle tech designed to fit seamlessly into everyday life, CES Unveiled felt less like a gadget showcase and more like a preview of how we’ll live, work, and interact with machines in 2026. The validity of the innovation being showcased was impressive. Not simply performative as with most tech expo events, CES Unveiled showed us what will soon be available to make our lifestyles more adaptive,
AI With a Personality (Yes, Really)
Robotics had a strong showing this year, but not in the cold, industrial way of the past. Instead, the robots at CES Unveiled were expressive, playful, and surprisingly human.
One of the most eye-catching demos featured a quadruped robot with an animated, eye-like display that responded to movement and attention. It wasn’t just walking — it was engaging. This shift toward emotionally responsive machines reflects a growing trend in robotics: devices designed not just to function, but to connect.
That same idea showed up again in the rise of AI companions and “digital pets,” including Sweekar’s pocket-sized devices that learn, remember, and evolve through interaction. Think Tamagotchi energy, upgraded with generative AI and real-world robotics. Nostalgia meets neural networks — and the result is unexpectedly compelling.
Hands-On Tech for Builders and Creators:
CES Unveiled also reminded us that innovation isn’t only about finished products — it’s about empowering people to build.
Modular robotics kits and block-based systems blended physical construction with AI logic, making robotics more accessible to creators, educators, and future engineers. These weren’t intimidating, code-heavy platforms. They were tactile, visual, and designed to spark curiosity.
It’s a strong signal that the next generation of innovation may start not with screens, but with hands-on experimentation.
Wellness Tech Steps Into the Spotlight
Health technology continues to move out of the lab and into daily life, and CES Unveiled reflected that shift clearly.
Among the most impactful displays were AI-powered platforms focused on early detection, preventative care, and personalized wellness — including technology aimed at improving breast health awareness and screening. Rather than replacing medical professionals, these tools aim to support earlier action and more informed decision-making.
Across the room, wellness was framed not as a luxury, but as a lifestyle expectation — one supported by smarter, more intuitive tech.
Comfort Is Having a Moment
Not everything at CES Unveiled was about AI and robotics — comfort tech had its own quiet glow-up.
High-end massage chairs and lifestyle devices offered a reminder that innovation doesn’t always have to feel futuristic to be effective. When technology enhances rest, recovery, and quality of life, it earns its place just as much as the flashiest AI demo.
In a show filled with forward-thinking ideas, this category grounded the experience in something very human: the need to slow down.
What CES Unveiled Tells Us About 2026
Walking through CES Unveiled felt like watching the tech industry recalibrate its priorities.
• AI is everywhere — but it’s becoming less visible and more intuitive
• Robotics is shifting from novelty to companionship and interaction
• Health tech is blending into everyday routines
• Consumer devices are prioritizing experience, emotion, and ease
CES Unveiled didn’t just preview products. It previewed a mindset shift.
CES Unveiled layered out the innovation entering the CES scene in 2026, and this year’s story was about technology that understands us — our habits, our health, our creativity, and our need for connection.
Stay with Tech Deck Magazine as we continue breaking down the innovations, the trends, and the founders shaping what’s ahead.
