"This corporation makes something like this?"
On the 6th (local time), exclamations like this were heard throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), the main venue of the world's largest IT show, "CES 2026," which opened that day. That's because global tech corporations participating in this year's show unveiled unconventional products and technologies.
A robot vacuum corporation unveiled a car, while a manufacturing corporation led with home appliances. In the robot field, which has developed around automobile and parts corporations, the entry of home appliance and TV makers has broadened the market base. As artificial intelligence (AI), Robotics, and Autonomous Driving technologies advance, the traditionally drawn "boundaries between industries" are gradually blurring.
◇ Concept electric car placed at the booth of Chinese robot vacuum corporation "Dreame"
The Chinese robot vacuum corporation "Dreame" displayed a concept electric vehicle at the center of its pavilion that day. Before the opening of CES 2026, a fledgling automaker, "Kosmera," which had released almost no advance information, drew industry attention by posting a silhouette photo and saying it would unveil a vehicle at booth No. 7067 in the mobility hall, "LVCC West Hall." This is space Dreame additionally rented to complement its pavilion in Central Hall. By placing the concept electric vehicle not only in the mobility hall but also in Central Hall, it drew visitors' attention.
The vehicle placed at Dreame's pavilion bore the name "Nebula Next 01." A Nebula Next representative met on-site said, "This vehicle is a concept car made to show only the design with all internal parts removed," and added, "We have a business partnership with Dreame, which is why we are exhibiting here." The representative continued, "We are a company established in China last year," and noted, "Details on our governance relationship or collaboration with Dreame will be disclosed as the business progresses."
Dreame released its entry into the auto industry in Aug. last year, saying, "Our competitor is Bugatti." Bugatti is a French supercar maker. Wei Hao, Dreame's chief executive officer (CEO), visited Germany a month later to scout candidate sites for a car manufacturing plant.
◇ LG Electronics, Hisense, and TCL put "robots" up front
Changes among home appliance and TV makers were also observed. LG Electronics and China's Hisense and TCL put robots front and center at this year's booths. At CES 2026, LG Electronics tasked its home robot "LG Kloiid" with guiding visitors through its pavilion. Developed with the goal of "liberating from housework," the robot has two arms and five fingers capable of human-level movement. It moves on wheels that incorporate Autonomous Driving technology.
Visitors to the LG Electronics booth can tour exhibition zones divided into five concepts, guided by Kloiid. In the AI home appliance zone, Kloiid also demonstrated tasks such as preparing breakfast or organizing towels. Device-to-device linkage functions are also on display, such as clearing obstacles along the route to match a cleaning robot's movements.
Hisense unveiled the Humanoid Robot "Harley" at this show. The company said it has 31 degrees of joint freedom, enabling humanlike movement, and supports multilingual voice functions. Hisense also staged a periodic "robot show" where Harley introduced the company's RGB Mini LED TV products. Alongside Harley, the AI companion robot "Beta" was also exhibited.
TCL led with its companion robot "Amy." Shaped like a baby wrapped in a swaddle, Amy talks with its owner in a child's voice and moves on its own. It also serves as an AI home hub (control tower) to control home appliances.
◇ AI kitchen appliances showcased by tool corporation Bosch
Bosch, a German manufacturing corporation that produces tools and auto parts, also took an "unconventional step." The day before, Bosch held a CES 2026 media day at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, bringing chef Marcel Vigneron, the winner of the cooking competition show "Last Chef Standing," on stage as the first guest speaker.
Bosch unveiled a business vision to help reduce the burden of housework by combining AI technology with the manufacturing capabilities it has built over the years. Chef Vigneron grilled a steak using Bosch's "cooking AI" feature. When you photograph the beef and set the desired doneness, the induction cooktop measures the temperature and adjusts it accordingly. At its CES 2026 booth, Bosch also deployed multiple chefs to showcase various kitchen appliances equipped with these functions.