CES 2026: Eight consumer AI gadgets that reveal where AI hardware is headed

• TL;DR
• CES 2026 showed consumer AI moving off screens and into physical products — from kitchen knives to nail kits — as vendors bake AI and sensors directly into devices.
• Three clear trends: new form factors, AI built into everyday tools, and an effort to turn playful demos into commercial products.
• Three actions for executives: treat AI as a product feature (not just an app), audit data and safety flows for hybrid hardware+AI products, and design pricing/service models that capture recurring value.

CES felt less like a gadget parade and more like a field test for product teams. Between prototypes and near‑market items, the show highlighted how consumer AI and AI hardware are expanding into categories that used to be purely mechanical or analog. Some concepts are novelty; some are obvious upgrades. Together they sketch a direction that matters for product, legal, and go‑to‑market teams.

CES served up an odd mix of playful and practical tech—some of which could legitimately be useful.

Three trends that matter for product and business leaders

1. Flexible form factors — more screen, less weight

Devices that change shape are moving from demos to usable prototypes. Lenovo’s ThinkPad Rollable XD, which converts a 13.3″ laptop into a 16″ front display while offering a rear secondary screen, is a reminder that UX constraints (screen size vs. portability) can be solved with engineering rather than only software. For product teams, that means planning for new physical states, hinge and durability testing, and service parts that differ from today’s flat‑screen assumptions.

2. AI built into everyday tools — the device itself makes decisions

AI is no longer solely an app-layer feature. Sensors and embedded models are appearing in beauty items, clippers, and kitchen tools so the device itself adapts in real time. That changes responsibilities: the device, not just a remote service, can make safety calls or user prompts. Expect changes to warranty design, OTA update policies, and product liability considerations.

3. Playful demos try to become products

Bone‑conduction candy and holographic companions sound like carnival acts, but vendors are testing commercial paths — single‑use retail for novelty items, subscriptions for personalization, and Kickstarters for validation. Some will stick; others will wash out. The lesson: experiments can be market probes. Track conversion signals (preorders, subscription opt‑ins, repeat purchases) before labeling a demo as vaporware.

The eight gadgets — what they are, what they cost, and why they matter

Lenovo ThinkPad Rollable XD

• What it is: Rollable display prototype that expands a 13.3″ laptop into a 16″ front screen and reveals a rear secondary display.
• Price/availability: Prototype — no consumer price yet.
• Demo takeaway: Provides more screen real estate without increasing device weight or footprint.
• Business implication: Reimagined hardware form factors create new upsell opportunities (premium versions, repair parts) and force OEMs to rethink accessory and OS scaling strategies.

iPolish — digital press-on nails

• What it is: Press-on nails that change color via a device and app with a palette of about 400 shades.
• Price/availability: Starter kit preorder ~ $95.
• Demo takeaway: Hardware+app creates a recurring revenue model for beauty retail instead of a one‑time purchase.
• Business implication: Beauty brands can monetize color libraries and subscription services; retailers can bundle hardware with replenishment SKUs.

Lollipop Star — bone‑conduction music lollipop

• What it is: A single‑use confection that transmits audio through bone conduction (sound travels via bone vibrations rather than air).
• Price/availability: Retail price around $8.99 for a one‑time experience.
• Demo takeaway: Novel sensory experiences can be packaged as impulse retail items; effective but niche.
• Business implication: Brands can experiment with experiential marketing and limited runs, but long‑term consumer value is limited unless paired with social or collectible mechanics.

C-200 UltraSonic chef’s knife (Seattle Ultrasonics)

• What it is: Blade vibrates at ~30,000 Hz (ultrasonic vibration) to reduce sticking and make cutting easier.
• Price/availability: Preorder ~ $399.
• Demo takeaway: ZDNET’s Sabrina Ortiz reported noticeably easier chopping when vibration mode was on — tangible utility beyond gimmick.
• Business implication: Kitchen hardware that delivers measurable performance improvements can command premium pricing and subscription accessories (blades, maintenance kits).

Vinabot — AI picture frame

• What it is: Frame that generates talking videos from photos and short scripts, producing moving, conversational portraits.
• Price/availability: Planning a Kickstarter; pricing TBD.
• Demo takeaway: Generative video applied to family memories creates high emotional engagement — and new privacy questions.
• Business implication: Opportunity for personalized gifts and memorialization products; requires clear consent flows, content moderation, and transparent data retention policies.

Lepro Ami — 3D AI “soulmate” device

• What it is: 8″ curved OLED showing a holographic, always-on AI companion avatar; not yet broadly available.
• Price/availability: Prototype stage — commercial timing unclear.
• Demo takeaway: Lifelike companions test the boundary between tool and relationship — useful for loneliness markets, risky for mental‑health and consent issues.
• Business implication: Companies entering companion markets must prepare for regulatory scrutiny and design explicit transparency about synthetic personas.

Glyde — AI-powered hair clipper

• What it is: Clipper with motion sensors that detect speed, angle, and tilt, adjusting cutting behavior and syncing to an app library.
• Price/availability: Market/preorder details emerging.
• Demo takeaway: A clear example of sensors + small models improving outcomes in hands-on categories.
• Business implication: Incumbent grooming brands face disruption from vertically integrated hardware+AI entrants that capture user data and extend into services.

Skwheel Peak S — electric skis for non‑snow surfaces

• What it is: Motorized “skis” designed for road, grass, and beach use.
• Price/availability: Preorder discounted ~ €1,490.
• Demo takeaway: Novel personal mobility product — fun, but niche and weather/terrain dependent.
• Business implication: Mobility startups can use lifestyle appeal to seed new categories; regulation and safety testing will determine scale.

Practical implications and prioritized actions for leaders (AI for business)

These demos point to a future where AI features influence design, revenue, and risk. Prioritize actions in this order:

1. Product teams: Treat AI as a feature. Map how sensors, local inference, and cloud services interact. Build test plans for durability, UX states, and OTA updates.
2. Legal & compliance: Audit data flows and consent points (especially for avatars and generative media). Define retention windows and opt‑outs before launch.
3. Marketing & sales: Design pricing that captures recurring value (color libraries, voice packs, blade replacements). Use preorders and Kickstarters to validate demand signals.
4. Support & operations: Plan for repairs, firmware updates, and field safety reporting — physical devices create different support burdens than pure software.

Simple risk checklist

• Privacy: Who owns the data and generated content? Put consent and transparency first.
• Safety: Hardware with moving parts or heated elements needs certification and clear user guidance.
• Reputation: Lifelike avatars or synthetic voices can backfire; label synthetic content clearly.
• Regulation: Expect rules on biometric data, deepfakes, and product safety to tighten — build flexibility into roadmaps.

Who wins?

• Component suppliers: Sensors, flexible displays, and edge‑AI chips will be in high demand.
• Startups: Agile companies that combine hardware, firmware, and services can outmaneuver incumbents.
• Incumbents: Legacy brands that partner or acquire sensor/AI capabilities can defend share, but must move faster.
• Retail & DTC channels: Novelty items and subscription hardware create fresh merchandising opportunities.

What to do now — a short checklist for product, legal, and marketing

• Run a 90‑day audit of any roadmap item that includes sensors or generative features.
• Map data flows: is inference local, cloud, or hybrid? Document risks and mitigation for each path.
• Design consent and labeling for synthetic media and always‑on companions; include opt-out and erasure options.
• Prototype pricing models that bundle hardware with content or services and test willingness to pay via preorders.
• Prepare safety certification plans for any device with moving parts, heat, or potential for physical harm.

The yardstick for these CES demos won’t be novelty. It will be utility, price, and trust.

CES 2026 illustrated that consumer AI is shifting from novelty to feature set. For executives, the choice is operational: integrate AI into product roadmaps now, design the governance that protects users and brands, and rethink revenue models so hardware plus AI becomes a sustainable business, not just a press release.