CES 2026: A Turn Toward Practical Use 

CES 2026 happened last week in Las Vegas – the annual showcase for innovation and “compass” to point the way for the next generation of tech.  We followed along through keynote recordings, media coverage, analyst summaries, and post-show product reviews.  Here’s our round-up of the clear patterns we can see in human-centred innovation. 

What stood out in the CES 2026 coverage was not really a single defining product or breakthrough, but a steady emphasis on technologies that are meant to fit into everyday routines. Compared with past years, there was less focus on spectacle and more focus on how products might realistically be used over time. 

Not everything discussed is close to full adoption, and many ideas remain early. Still, the overall direction suggests a more grounded phase of innovation, one that appears to be putting the real human lived experience more clearly at the centre of the innovation effort. 

Technology That Fits Into Daily Life 

Several products mentioned repeatedly across coverage illustrate this shift toward practicality. 

The Roborock Saros Rover attracted attention because it addresses a limitation people have lived with for years. A robot vacuum that can climb stairs reduces the need for manual intervention in multi-level homes, which is a common pain point rather than a new problem. Reviews focused less on novelty and more on whether this finally makes robotic cleaning more complete. 

In entertainment, products like the LG Wallpaper OLED TV (Evo W6) were noted for how they disappear into living spaces. The appeal is not only picture quality, but the way the screen integrates into a room without dominating it. This kind of design reflects a broader interest in technology that complements home environments instead of reshaping them. 

Play and learning products also reflect this mindset. The LEGO Smart Brick extends a familiar object rather than introducing a new interface. By embedding sensors into a standard brick, it allows digital feedback to exist within physical play, without relying on screens or apps as the primary experience. 

On the health side, CES reporting highlighted products such as smart scales, LED therapy masks, and early versions of smart menstrual care products. These tools aim to provide biological insight without requiring people to actively track or log information. The emphasis appears to be on awareness that blends into daily habits rather than constant engagement. 

Across categories, the products that drew attention tend to support things people already do: cleaning, watching, playing, caring for their health, rather than asking them to adopt entirely new behaviours. 

Challenges That Remain 

While this direction feels encouraging, several challenges continue to limit real-world impact. 

One persistent issue is the gap between detection and action. Many devices are capable of identifying patterns or changes, particularly in health, but there are still few clear pathways that help people know what to do next. Without connections to professionals, services, or credible guidance, insight can quickly become confusing or ignored. 

Trust is another concern. Coverage suggests growing caution around AI-enabled features that depend on subscriptions, constant connectivity, or opaque decision-making. People appear more comfortable with intelligence that works reliably and quietly than with systems that demand explanation or ongoing management. 

Accessibility also remains a factor. Many of the products highlighted at CES sit at higher price points.  Moving from early adoption to broader access will likely require innovation beyond the product itself, including pricing models, partnerships, and long-term support. 

Lessons for R&D Innovators 

Looking across CES 2026 coverage, a few themes feel especially relevant for teams working in research and development. 

1️⃣ Design increasingly favours integration over visibility. Products that blend into environments and routines tend to feel more sustainable over time. The appeal of something like the LG Wallpaper OLED TV lies as much in its restraint as in its performance. 

2️⃣ Data alone is losing value without interpretation and direction. Devices that identify a signal become far more useful when they also help people understand next steps, whether through behavioural suggestions, professional connections, or changes in context. 

3️⃣ Physical form still matters. Even as AI and software continue to advance, materials, tactility, and physical interaction play a significant role in trust and adoption. The LEGO Smart Brick was contentious for many as Lego has been held up as a bastion of analogue play and pure imagination.  It remains to be seen if this digital intelligence can enhance rather than diminish this cherished physical-only play experience. 

4️⃣ Finally, many of the most relevant opportunities sit around life transitions rather than broad demographic categories. Changes related to caregiving, health, recovery, or aging often create moments when people are open to new tools and routines. Innovation that supports these moments tends to have lasting relevance. 

A More Measured Kind of Progress 

CES 2026 does not feel like a year defined by dramatic breakthroughs, but more like a period of recalibration. The emphasis appears to be shifting toward technologies that reduce friction, respect daily life, and earn their place through usefulness rather than spectacle. 

For teams thinking about what to build next, this orientation toward fit, reliability, and context may be one of the most valuable signals to carry forward.