> At a Glance
> – Razer’s Project AVA is now a 5.5-inch holographic desk companion that monitors users via camera
> – Mind with Heart Robotics’ AI panda An’An offers 24/7 emotional support for seniors
> – GoveeLife’s Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro uses AI to stay quiet while producing 60 lbs of ice daily
> – Why it matters: These concept and early-stage products show how AI is moving into deeply personal, everyday objects
CES 2026’s buzz isn’t coming from the big booths alone. Tucked between the TVs and laptops, startups are showing off tech that blinks, watches, sings-and sometimes chills your drink.
Hologram Sidekick That Never Looks Away
Razer has turned last year’s esports-coach prototype into Project AVA, an anime-styled hologram that lives on your desk. Pick Kira the anime girl or Zane the muscle-bound hero; both track your eyes, lip-sync replies, and scan your screen to coach games, organize calendars, or dole out life advice.
Because the built-in camera stays on, the gadget literally watches you work, eat, and play. Razer stresses it’s still a concept, so retail shelves may never see it.
Robo-Panda for Grandma’s Table
Chinese firm Mind with Heart Robotics unveiled An’An, a palm-sized AI panda aimed at seniors. Touch sensors under its plush coat let it purr, nuzzle, and remember voices.
- Learns preferences over time
- Reminds users about medication or appointments
- Sends well-being alerts to caregivers
The bot runs 24/7 to fight loneliness and memory lapses without needing walks or vet visits.
AI Silences the Ice Machine
GoveeLife’s Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro promises 60 pounds of chewable ice per day while staying whisper-quiet. Its patented AI NoiseGuard senses impending freeze-ups and triggers a defrost before clatter starts.
| Feature | Spec |
|---|---|
| Output | 60 lbs/day |
| Batch Speed | 6 minutes |
| Bucket | 3.5 lbs |
| Price | $499.99 |
Sales begin January 15 on Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and the company’s site.
Knife That Vibrates 30,000 Times a Second
Seattle Ultrasonics brought an ultrasonic chef’s knife whose blade vibrates at 30 kHz, letting it glide through vegetables, meat, or bread with almost zero resistance. Users feel no tingle in the handle and hear no buzz, the company claims. Pre-orders are open at $399.
Lollipops That Play Ice Spice Inside Your Head
Lollipop Star demoed candy that sings via bone conduction. While you suck, vibrations travel through teeth and skull to the inner ear, delivering music only the eater hears.
Flavors and artists:
- Ice Spice – peach
- Akon – blueberry
- Armani White – lime
Key Takeaways
- AI is creeping into objects that comfort, coach, or chill
- Concepts like Project AVA raise privacy flags while still in development
- Expect niche gadgets-ultrasonic knives, musical lollipops-to court early adopters first
The show floor proves the next big thing might be tiny, weird, and watching you back.
