The Vergecast The robots, phones and Lego of CES 2026
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Jan 6, 2026 Technology enthusiasts will love the latest buzz from CES, which showcases an array of innovative robots, including LG's CLOiD and SwitchBot's humanoid models. The hosts critique the practicalities of these gadgets, expressing skepticism about their real-world applications. They also dive into the rise of art TVs, weighing aesthetics against technical specs. Smart home devices are flooding the market, with exciting new features like biometric unlocking. Plus, Lego introduces sensorized Smart Bricks, sparking creativity like never before!
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Museum Trip With A Giant Ball Pit
- Nilay Patel recounts visiting Chicago museums with his daughter and praises tactile exhibits.
- He describes a giant ball pit and the amusing warning about losing AirPods in it.
Humanoids Are The Wrong Tool
- Humanoid home robots are conceptually appealing but practically mismatched to the problem of chores.
- Nilay Patel argues we'd invent dedicated appliances, not humanoids, if we only wanted tasks solved.
Demos Hide Critical Constraints
- Many CES robot demos hide system constraints like specialized appliances or network locks.
- David Pierce notes the hard problems between orchestration and real-world robotic competence remain unsolved.