What We Can Learn About the Future of Tech From CES 2026

The Consumer Technology Association’s annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has already come and gone this year. In 2026, it had a monumental showing of some of history’s most impressive ideas and technologies for consumers and commercial entities alike. From toys to public health advancements, there was no shortage of innovations to be impressed by. What were the most fascinating, hopeful and game-changing ideas shown at CES 2026?

Communications Technology With the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold

Nobody expected foldable phones to make a comeback, but interest has been surging in recent years to have something even more compact. It is still most common to have a flat, modern device with a touch screen, but Samsung is trying to convince people to make different purchasing decisions with the Z TriFold. It demonstrates advances in computing by delivering tablet-level performance in a phone. 

This would eliminate the need for two electronics for distinct purposes when everything could be streamlined onto a single screen. Its appeal is wide for this alone, making it highly enticing for the coming generation of digital fatigue and screen burnout.

Conservation and Environmental Preservation With RoboTurtle

A company that created robotic pool cleaners has ascended into technologies with a greater purpose. RoboTurtle, a swimming robot in the shape of the beloved reptile, can explore the waters like one of its living counterparts. However, it is equipped with solar panels to keep moving, plus sensors and cameras for collecting environmental research data.

The turtle attempts to mimic the movements of regular aquatic life to avoid disturbing habitats. Instead, it can observe coral reef health or collect water samples for analysis of hazardous materials. There is a monumental need for diverse technologies to monitor the oceans as they become increasingly contaminated, making this an easy, innovative leap for academics and industry experts.

Energy Innovation With Willo

Most ideas promoted at CES 2026 were about AI — not Willo, and it may be the reason it is able to be adopted faster by the public than other offerings. Willo is a promise to consumers that it will solve the headache of cable management and charging devices forever. It goes even past charging pads, which some may have believed was charging technology at its peak. 

Willo simply relies on a nearby power source to keep it powered. The project is being kept under tight wraps, but it could serve much like an internet router — a single cube able to make power bricks and cords an antiquated novelty. A few throughout the home could create a network of constant support for the growing number of devices in households.

Interactive Play and Learning from LEGO Smart Play Systems

Many technologies at the event promise groundbreaking revelations, with few focusing on playfulness and imagination. What company better to keep reminding tech moguls of the importance of leisure than LEGO? Its CES 2026 showing was for its new Smart Play System, an enhanced version of the LEGO brick with smart sensors built in. The future of LEGO will feature bricks that light up and make sounds, tying into apps to merge physical and digital playgrounds.

This could be an easily adoptable game-changer in schools, making it more enjoyable to teach children the basics of engineering, architecture, physics and, even coding. STEM education could feature more toys, which would be a win for students everywhere who need a change of pace from dull, heavy textbooks. Depending on the future of school funding, this could be a no-brainer inclusion for budgets, making it a simple-to-justify mainstay in educational systems.

Public Health Betterment With Petal

Petal is arguably the most disruptive wearable health device at CES 2026, simply because it is unlike a watch or a ring. This never-before-seen idea could be the future of preventive breast cancer detection and menstrual cycle monitoring. Petal is an insert that sits in a bra and measures countless metrics, including temperature and breast tissue measurements. It compares it against its massive library of imaging data to characterize risk.

Public buy-in for a product like this will depend on its affordability and wearability. While the advertisements claim it is a barely noticeable insert, some may find it uncomfortable. Additionally, many health devices require a subscription to access data insights, making it prohibitively expensive to own. The future of Petal will depend on its pricing structure choices, setting a precedent for how much this knowledge is worth to consumers.

Smart Home Enhancements With Roborock Saros Rover

Move over, Roomba, as the next generation of robotic house cleaning is here. The Roborock Saros Rover solves several pain points consumers have with existing robotic cleaners. They are unable to climb stairs, and they sometimes collide with objects, limiting their mobility. The Roborock has legs and larger wheels that can extend and lift the robot to new heights. Some models even include a robotic arm that can grab items and move them out of the way. 

This is another device that could easily make a splash. Multistory homes could save by only purchasing one device instead of two or three. One investment could cover all their bases with even greater utility than a standard cleaner. With such a practical use case that removes a tedious and boring task from to-do lists, Roborock could be the next home tech staple. 

Transportation Accessibility With the Strutt EV1

If someone advertised an office chair that could move on its own, people might wonder what its unique selling proposition is compared to an electric wheelchair. The Strutt EV1 is a different type of product. It has AI and GPS technology, allowing people to simply ask it for something, like a drink, and it will take them to the kitchen. 

Its build is more robust than a standard wheelchair, allowing it to go off-road without issues or to run into walls without denting or hurting the person. Its expanded capabilities could make those with disabilities feel more capable and comfortable in their surroundings. It is autonomous and smart, empowering users with more independence than ever. 

The Revolution of CES 2026

Based on this year’s offerings, everyone can make some predictions about how the trade show will manifest in 2027. There will likely be even more AI, robotics and automation tools, powering everything from household goods to public utilities. It is a challenge to nail down the specifics for next year’s event. However, based on the best of the best from CES 2026, it can only inspire the countless creative minds out there.