Walking the halls of CES 2026, I was surrounded by the familiar rhythm of announcements, blinking LED walls, and booths packed with prototypes. But every year, a few products cut through the noise—not because they’re louder, but because they speak directly to where technology is heading.

Held annually since 1967, CES is more than a showcase—it’s a lens into what consumer technology looks like before it hits stores. CES 2026 officially began on Tuesday, January 6, and runs through Friday, January 9, in Las Vegas. Media days took place earlier, on Sunday, January 4, and Monday, January 5, with early keynotes and product previews. This year, over 4,500 companies gathered in Las Vegas to do just that.

I’ve sifted through the spectacle and narrowed down the five products that I couldn’t stop thinking about. Not just for their wow factor—but for what they suggest about the future.

1. NVIDIA Vera Rubin AI Platform

This isn’t something you’ll find on a shelf. But the Vera Rubin AI platform from Nvidia was one of the most important things unveiled at CES.

Named after astronomer Vera Rubin, this system combines a Rubin GPU and a Vera CPU into a single “superchip” designed for large-scale AI workloads. It’s already in full production and shipping to companies like Microsoft and CoreWeave.

NVIDIA says Rubin reduces AI training costs by 90% compared to the Blackwell generation and improves energy efficiency across enterprise data centres.

This is the kind of development that affects every level of innovation—whether you’re training a multi-billion-parameter AI model or trying to bring smarter edge devices to market.

The ripple effect of this platform will likely be seen in upcoming product launches across healthcare, autonomous driving, enterprise search, and even smart retail systems. For CES, it stood as a reminder that some of the biggest shifts in consumer technology begin deep in the infrastructure layer.

2. Hyundai and Boston Dynamics’ Atlas Robot

Atlas didn’t just walk onto the stage—it moved with purpose. For the first time, Boston Dynamics and Hyundai showed off a production-grade, fully electric, untethered Atlas.

Its joints rotate 360 degrees. It walked, turned, and waved—all without external support.

Hyundai confirmed Atlas will begin deployment in its Robotics Metaplant and other factories as early as 2026, with broader integration planned through 2028.

It’s not built to entertain. It’s built to work.

What stood out even more was the design language: less anthropomorphic and more modular and mechanical. The focus was clearly on capability, not mimicry. Watching it in action felt less like science fiction and more like watching the future of warehouse and industrial logistics arrive quietly.

3. LEGO Smart Brick Platform

The LEGO Smart Brick system reimagines hands-on play without screens. Each brick contains sensors, audio, lights, and connectivity—all tied to a new platform called LEGO SMART Play.

It responds to movement, sound, and physical context in real time.

The initial launch includes three Star Wars sets: Luke’s Red Five X-wing, Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter, and the Throne Room Duel. All launches on March 1, 2026.

This might be the most elegant blend of analogue creativity and embedded digital tech I’ve seen in years.

LEGO executives on-site mentioned that the SMART Brick platform is intended to scale beyond Star Wars into LEGO City, LEGO Friends, and STEM-focused kits in 2027. For educators and parents, the platform offers a non-screen entry point into coding logic and cause-and-effect learning.

And for LEGO, it positions them squarely in the edtech and experiential learning space.

4. Mammotion Luba 3 AWD Robotic Lawnmower

The Luba 3 AWD doesn’t need wires. Or supervision.

Mammotion’s newest robotic lawnmower uses a system called Tri-Fusion Navigation—combining 360° LiDAR, RTK satellite guidance, and dual-camera AI. It handles 80% inclines and avoids pets, toys, and garden furniture with minimal setup.

Preorders opened globally on January 5, 2026, priced from €2,299. For homeowners with complex yards, it’s one of the first real contenders in outdoor home automation.

In demos, the mower handled tight turns and mixed terrain effortlessly. I watched it navigate gravel edges, narrow pathways, and sloped grass in real time. It’s a category that has seen stagnation for years, and this product might be what finally brings robotic yard care into the mainstream.

Industry insiders I spoke to say that demand is growing in Europe and Australia, where yard design often requires more adaptive navigation than basic GPS mapping can offer.

5. Ecovacs Deebot X11 OmniCyclone: Award-Winning Cleaning Intelligence

Ecovacs had several robots on display, but the Deebot X11 OmniCyclone was its CES 2026 Innovation Award winner.

With a smart mop lifting mechanism, 3D mapping, and self-emptying capabilities, the X11 improves on previous generations by learning floor plans faster and cleaning more efficiently across surfaces.

The company’s broader vision also included pool and window robots, as well as GOAT series lawn bots. There were mentions of companion-style robots in closed-door sessions, but the X11 stood out as the most polished and available system ready for international rollout.

It also reflects a maturing product category. Where earlier models focused on single features—stronger suction, better mapping—the X11 integrates multiple features into a single, balanced system. It’s not trying to reinvent the category. It’s trying to perfect it.

Ecovacs representatives hinted at upcoming firmware updates that will allow voice-activated room targeting, suggesting the device could soon integrate with broader smart home ecosystems via Matter and similar protocols.

Why These Five?

These weren’t just product demos. They were signals.

• Rubin marks a shift in how AI infrastructure gets built
• Atlas introduces robotics capable of human-level motion in industrial settings
• LEGO Smart Brick combines creative play with embedded tech
• Luba 3 brings autonomy outdoors with real obstacle awareness
• Deebot X11 reflects a maturing ecosystem of smart home maintenance

Each has a clear launch strategy and use case—and most are available or shipping soon.

Their presence at CES felt deliberate—less like a prototype parade and more like a collective preview of what consumers might see hitting markets over the next 12 to 24 months.

What’s Next?

By the end of CES, most reporters are exhausted. The booths start to blur, and the hype wears thin. But these five products stuck with me. Not because they’re futuristic—but because they’re grounded.

They each answered a real-world question: how do we live better with help from machines that understand context?

From infrastructure to playrooms, from warehouses to front lawns—this year’s CES products weren’t just showcasing the future. They were slotting into it.