Much robotics hoopla at CES 2026 — too many bodies, too few brains SEOUL, January 13 (AJP) - At CES 2026, robots flew men off their feet with perfectly timed jabs, flipped through synchronized somersaults and danced with algorithmic confidence. Behind the curtain, those same robots swung wildly into empty air — punches landing nowhere, movements jittery, as if they'd had one cocktail too many before the bout. A human operator stood nearby, joystick hidden behind his back, fingers doing the real work. Welcome to CES 2026, where physical AI was meant to unveil the next technological revolution — and instead delivered a high-budget remake of Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots. The Consumer Electronics Show has long outgrown its “consumer electronics” label. This year's theme, Innovators Show Up, put physical AI — the fusion of artificial intelligence and robotics — center stage. Nvidia's Jensen Huang, fresh off receiving the IEEE Medal of Honor, loomed over the event, his chips beating inside nearly every robot on display. And there were robots everywhere: humanoids boxing in rings, quadrupeds weaving through crowds with pamphlets strapped to their backs like mechanical huskies, machines serving drinks, greeting visitors, folding clothes. The Las Vegas Convention Center had become a metallic zoo. Strip away the spectacle, and the illusion thinned fast. Strings attached Chasing humanoid makers across the floor — mostly Chinese firms dominating this year's robotics scene — one question kept recurring: Are the processors yours? At AgiBot, confidence came first. “All in-house,” a representative said. Then the pause. “Well… Nvidia runs the main operations.” The same answer echoed at Unix AI, Galaxea Dynamics and Galbot. Chinese bodies, Western brains. That dependency, however, is only half the problem. The bigger gap is autonomy. Shenzhen-based Engine AI was refreshingly blunt. It came to CES looking for partners to supply the brains. The bodies, it said, were ready — capable of boxing, lifting, sorting. Someone just still had to pull the strings. Those Unitree robots throwing punches in the ring? Each was piloted in real time by a human. The Pinocchios of CES 2026 have yet to cut their strings. Grace of a granny, nerves of an alcoholic Some humanoids looked impressive on spec sheets. In person, less so. LG Electronics' CLOiD, sleek and futuristic in videos, shuffled across the floor like a grandmother approaching her walker, hands trembling, frame shuddering. The company described it as “robotic breathing.” In the low light of Central Hall, it felt more like an uncanny-valley horror prop. Galbot's G1 warehouse robot was busily moving plastic bins — until it slipped on one and toppled over. Wheels spun. Arms stayed limp. It seemed oddly content with its unscheduled break. Company staff rushed over mid-interview. Moments earlier, they'd explained how their robots were already “fully employed” in Chinese warehouses. Elsewhere, robots nudged into walls, froze mid-task, or stared blankly into space. The gulf between demo reels and floor reality was wide enough to park a Cybertruck. The missing middle This CES felt different in another way: the giants were mostly gone. Once-dominant mega booths had shrunk or vanished. Hisense and LG were exceptions. Zeroth Robotics, a Chinese startup founded just last year, commanded a striking footprint with a lineup of domestic robots — from a Wall-E-inspired cleaner to a tabletop companion. Samsung staged its presence elsewhere. Sony appeared only via its Honda joint venture. The show felt less like a global tech summit and more like a startup bazaar — AI cotton-candy machines, prototype gadgets, concepts destined never to scale. The question CES couldn't answer Large language models already run quietly through daily life. ChatGPT drafts emails. Claude summarizes meetings. Gemini answers questions — sometimes inventing facts with alarming confidence. The scripted chatbots of five years ago now feel prehistoric. Physical AI promises the next leap: giving those digital minds bodies. CES 2026 showed how far we still are. The robots that could talk stood stiff as mannequins. Realbotix's celebrity-faced androids boasted Gemini-powered dialogue — and barely moved. The robots that moved couldn't think. The ones that tried both ended up on the floor. A decade ago, synthetic fingers with individual motion were headline news. Progress since then has been real. But the final bridge — from programmed motion to autonomous judgment — remains unbuilt. CES 2026 asked a question it couldn't answer: Is the world ready for physical AI? Investment is flowing. Hardware is improving. But judging from the clankers in Las Vegas, we still have time before humanoids demand rights — or even manage to deliver a drink without spilling it. Elon Musk says his humanoid robots will outperform the world's best surgeons within three years. I wouldn't bet on it. *The author is AJP tech reporter who covered CES 2026 in Las Vegas. 2026-01-13 16:07:27

INTERVIEW: Smart Brick to keep Lego legacy alive and competition at bay LAS VEGAS, January 09 (AJP) - As Lego brings sensors and connectivity into its iconic bricks, the Lego Group says its new Smart Brick platform is designed not only to modernize play, but to safeguard its decades-old legacy — and keep competitors firmly at bay. The Smart Bricks will be difficult for rivals to copy, according to a senior Lego executive, who cited years of proprietary development and built-in security features as major barriers to imitation. "I think the technology is going to be quite hard for people to recreate," said Tom Donaldson, senior vice president at the Lego Group, in an interview with AJP on Thursday at the Las Vegas Convention Center during CES 2026. The Smart Brick system, unveiled during Lego's keynote presentation at this year's Consumer Electronics Show, embeds NFC sensors and Bluetooth connectivity into the iconic two-by-four brick, enabling sound, light and real-time interaction between Lego models. Donaldson said that even if competitors manage to replicate some elements of the hardware, security measures would prevent unauthorized products from functioning within Lego's ecosystem. "There's security in place so that people might find it hard to — even if they can recreate some of the aspects — make it work with our system," he said. Child safety was a central reason for limiting compatibility, Donaldson added. "We'd really prefer that other people's systems don't work with ours unless we've been very deliberate about it, just from a child-safety perspective," he said. The Smart Brick concept dates back roughly eight years, with about six years of intensive development, according to Donaldson. The lengthy timeline reflected the absence of suitable technologies when the project began. "We found that the technologies didn't really exist — or at least not in the format that we felt we needed — and that's why it turned into a challenging technology development," he said. The system is designed to address three areas Lego identified as opportunities: social play, dynamic interactivity and user agency. Traditional Lego models, Donaldson noted, remain largely static compared with digital games that evolve over time. "You do something in the morning, you go to school, you come back, something's changed," he said. "Whereas that maybe hasn't been the case with traditional Lego models." Donaldson acknowledged that electronic components cannot match the multi-generational lifespan of traditional plastic bricks, which families often pass down over decades. Still, he said Lego engineered Smart Bricks to significantly outlast typical consumer electronics. "We don't want you to just buy a brick and then have to buy another one the next year," he said. "We want a brick that works even if you bought it three or four years ago. If you get a new set, the old bricks should still work." Durability was also a key design requirement, given the realities of children's play. Donaldson noted that the bricks had to withstand poking, dropping and impacts while protecting internal electronic components from damage and potential hazards. Lego chose CES as its launch venue to emphasize that Smart Play represents a long-term platform rather than a one-off product line, he said. "We really wanted to announce a platform," Donaldson said. "This is something that goes beyond just a wave. This is something we are really investing in for the long term." Asked about future form factors — such as different-sized Smart Bricks or tag-based components — Donaldson declined to provide specifics but suggested the platform could expand over time. "We see this as a platform that will last many, many years," he said. "And therefore it's likely that over time we'll discover additions that bring entirely new dimensions to the pieces." The first Smart Play sets feature Star Wars themes, including an X-wing, TIE Fighter and classic Episode VI characters. Donaldson cited Lego's decades-long partnership with Lucasfilm as a key factor behind the launch choice. "When you do something new like this, you need to have a tremendous partner with you," he said. "Lego Star Wars is a galaxy where people make their own stories. There are a lot of fans creating great narratives, and that type of play lends itself perfectly to what we're trying to do." 2026-01-09 12:57:14

CES 2026: Inside how China has leapfrogged in AI robots — self-sufficiency LAS VEGAS, January 09 (AJP) - From synchronized dancing and kung-fu demonstrations to boxing, deliveries and cleaning, Chinese robots were ubiquitous at the world's largest consumer electronics show in Las Vegas this week. China, which has already begun rolling humanoid robots off assembly lines and into retail stores and homes in various forms and scales, used CES 2026 to show the United States and the wider world just how far it has moved ahead in physical AI. Of the 38 companies participating in CES's humanoid robotics category, 21 were Chinese — ranging from established players such as Unitree Robotics to newer entrants including AgiBot and Noetix Robotics. The self-sufficiency drive comes as Chinese firms accounted for the vast majority of the roughly 13,000 humanoid robots shipped globally in 2025, according to research firm Omdia. Shanghai-based AgiBot topped the list with an estimated 5,168 units, followed by Unitree Robotics and UBTech Robotics. Except for Nvidia chips, everything else is homemade Despite the push for deep vertical integration, one component remains a near-universal import: the processor. An AgiBot employee told AJP that the company uses Nvidia chips as the computing brain for its robots — an irreplaceable component for every machine standing, spinning or twirling on the show floor. The company trains its robots at a data center in Shanghai, combining synthetic and real-world data to develop the artificial-intelligence models that power its humanoids. Beyond the processor, however, AgiBot manufactures nearly all components in-house, excluding only small standardized parts such as bolts and nuts. The reliance on Nvidia extends across China's robotics landscape. Unitree, Galbot, Engine AI and UBTech have all adopted Nvidia’s Jetson platform, with many becoming early users of the Jetson AGX Thor modules launched in August 2025. From joints to guards At UniX AI's booth, the vertical-integration story ran even deeper. Jerry Wu, the company's chief financial officer, said the Suzhou-based firm manufactures everything from joint mechanisms to the internal components of its robotic hands. The only exceptions are standardized parts, including optical sensors. "We developed everything by ourselves," Wu said. "Even the very inside of the joints." For processors, UniX AI also relies on Nvidia chips. The company has developed a two-layer AI model architecture: one layer functions as the "brain," interpreting situations and making decisions, while the other controls physical movement. Its Wanda series models are already generating revenue in China. Hotels have deployed the robots for housekeeping tasks such as bed-making and cleaning, while security applications use the machines to patrol buildings. "These are general models," Wu said. "They can even make alcoholic drinks as well." Cost pressure drives self-sufficiency Galaxea Dynamics, a Beijing-based company whom also has a office in San Jose, follows a similar playbook. Lei Yu, the company's chief business officer, said manufacturing is done entirely in-house — down to the motors — with Nvidia processors used for computing. "We build our own robots in-house," Yu said. "We design and control the body and manufacture everything ourselves." The rationale is as much economic as it is strategic. Training robots for manipulation tasks requires enormous volumes of real-world data, which in turn demands large fleets of robots to collect it. "To have a lot of data, you have to walk on it. So we need to have a lot of robots," Yu said. "And to have a lot of robots, it can be extremely expensive. That's why we use our own motors — to reduce costs at the data-collection stage." Galaxea Dynamics plans to bring its latest model to market between March and September this year, with educational discounts available. The company has partnered with research institutions to deploy about 200 robots. Synthetic data, real deployment Founded in May 2023, Galbot has positioned itself as one of the most valuable embodied-AI companies in the humanoid robotics sector. Yvonne Yuan, head of overseas marketing, said the company produces most components — from arms to wheels — using proprietary technology. Galbot was among the first globally to adopt Nvidia's Jetson Thor chipset. "It's all our own proprietary technology, including the hardware," Yuan said. Galbot's training strategy reflects a broader industry shift toward efficiency. About 90 percent of its training data is synthetic, generated in simulators, with only about 10 percent derived from real-world environments. "We do not rely so much on real-world data," Yuan said. "We train them in a simulator, then fine-tune using real-world data." Its G1 robots are already deployed in factories and warehouses across China, sorting vehicle parts and assisting production-line workers. The machines can operate for up to eight hours on a single charge and automatically return to charging stations when battery levels drop. A heavier model is in development. The current G1 can lift between 10 and 50 kilograms using both hands. The upcoming version will be able to lift at least 32 kilograms and feature a redesigned appearance, Yuan said. The bigger picture The push for vertical integration aligns with Beijing's broader industrial policy. China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has set a goal of achieving global leadership in humanoid robotics by 2027. The strategy appears to be gaining traction. ABI Research forecasts the global humanoid robot market will reach $6.5 billion by 2030, with China's state funding and regulatory environment positioning domestic firms for outsized growth. Yet the reliance on Nvidia processors highlights a persistent vulnerability. Washington restricts Nvidia from exporting its most advanced chips to China, though the modules currently used in robotics applications remain available. For now, China's robotics industry is betting that controlling everything else — from the hands that grasp to the motors that move — will be enough to win the race. 2026-01-09 12:56:54

[[CES 2026]] Seoul startups vie for attention at CES, powered by student talent LAS VEGAS, January 08 (AJP) - CES 2026 is not just a stage for global tech giants. For many startups, it serves as a debut platform or a critical stepping stone — and at the Seoul Pavilion this year, university students have emerged as unlikely stars. At the Seoul Pavilion at CES 2026, hosting 69 startups, student talent has become a defining feature. The pavilion is operated by the Seoul Business Agency (SBA), which set up a 743-square-meter space inside Eureka Park, CES' dedicated startup hub. Orange-themed booths line the floor, while Haechi — Seoul's mascot — roams the aisles, drawing curious glances from international visitors. The pavilion brings together 19 organizations, including four district offices, five startup support agencies and nine universities. Participating companies span artificial intelligence, mobility and healthcare sectors. Among the exhibitors, AI startup A.PLA demonstrated its proprietary motion-capture technology. The system extracts human movements from ordinary webcam footage or YouTube videos, converting them into training data for robots. The company had planned to bring a humanoid robot from Unitree Robotics for live demonstrations, but battery restrictions during air transport forced a change of plans. "We're not a robotics manufacturer," said A.PLA co-founder Jake Hong. "We help robot makers produce high-quality training data at scale. That's what we came here to show the world." Nearby, mental-health startup ATLO drew crowds with its emotion-sensing AI companion. Equipped with cameras, the robot reads facial expressions, gestures and vocal tones to gauge a user's emotional state and respond accordingly. The company offers the technology both as a mobile app and as a physical robot. The robot demonstrated its capabilities on the show floor, recognizing hand gestures and engaging in conversation. "Many people struggling with mental health don't want to be treated as patients at hospitals or counseling centers," said ATLO CEO Park Sung-hyun. "They want to be treated as individuals. Our AI companion serves as a friend who listens." Park, who attended CES with a three-member team, praised the pavilion's support system. "Each company gets a dedicated university student who handles interpretation and booth logistics," he said. "They've been outstanding." The student volunteer program has emerged as a hallmark of Seoul's CES presence. Drawn from nine Seoul-based universities and the University of Nevada Las Vegas, volunteers are matched with participating companies months in advance. According to SBA CEO Kim Hyun-woo, students undergo extensive preparation before arriving in Las Vegas, studying their assigned companies' products, analyzing competitors and learning the broader industry landscape. "The goal is simple: get one more investor, one more buyer in front of these startups," Kim said. It took four years, he added, to persuade universities and government agencies to join forces under a single pavilion. "When everyone came separately, it cost more and made less impact," Kim said. "Together, we punch above our weight." Visually, the Seoul Pavilion stands out among national booths at Eureka Park. Kim pointed to deliberate design choices aimed at maximizing foot traffic, including a dedicated media center where journalists can file stories on site. "If you don't have deep insight into a particular industry, you won't seek out those booths," he said. "We need to catch people's eyes first, then create an interface for conversation." The results, Kim noted, speak for themselves. Of the 69 participating companies, 17 received CES Innovation Awards — a ratio he called the best in the world, crediting months of pre-show consulting and post-show follow-up. "Other pavilions might bring 100 companies and win eight or nine awards," he said. "We're running at a different level." Kim also observed that CES itself is evolving. With fewer Chinese companies participating in recent years, Korean firms have gained greater visibility. Still, he cautioned that the exhibition's global standing may be shifting. "We'll evaluate after this show ends and plan accordingly," he said. For now, the focus remains firmly on the show floor. "For students, it's invaluable experience. For startups, it's a lifeline," Kim said of the volunteer program. CES 2026 runs through Jan. 9. 2026-01-08 15:46:36

CES 2026: Korea, U.S. and China clash in AI robotics as mass-deployment era begins LAS VEGAS, January 07 (AJP) - Shenzhen-based Engine AI brought its T800 humanoid to the show floor, underscoring China's scale advantage in the physical-AI race, while South Korean and U.S. contenders such as Hyundai Motor and Tesla showed that the devil is in the details. The world's largest technology expo has become a battleground for humanoid robots, with Korea, the United States and China unveiling rival strategies to dominate the emerging era of physical AI — intelligent machines capable of perceiving, reasoning and acting in the real world. At CES 2026, the competition is no longer about who can build the smartest prototype. It is about who can manufacture robots at scale, deploy them across factories and homes, and reshape industries before rivals catch up. China's scale-first push China arrived in Las Vegas with an unmistakable message: mass production is here. According to the Korea Information & Communications Technology Industry Association, Chinese companies account for 149 of the 598 robotics exhibitors at this year's show — roughly one in four. In humanoid robotics alone, 21 of 38 exhibitors hail from China, making up more than half. The numbers reflect a coordinated national push. Morgan Stanley estimates that China has filed 7,705 humanoid-related patents over the past five years, compared with 1,561 in the United States. AgiBot recently rolled out its 5,000th humanoid robot, while UBTech Robotics plans to scale output to 10,000 units annually by 2027. Irving Chen, general manager of Unitree Robotics, told AJP that while exact production figures for all models cannot be disclosed, monthly sales of its flagship Go2 quadruped robot have exceeded 10,000 units. Shenzhen-based Engine AI showcased its T800 humanoid — a heavyweight model that rivals Tesla's Optimus and Boston Dynamics' Atlas. Evan Yao, co-founder of Engine AI, said the company is producing about 200 units per month and plans to raise output to 500 units by the end of the first quarter. "The robot is open source, so it can be used for any purpose," Yao said, adding that the company is seeking a U.S. distribution partner. U.S. bets on function over form The American approach looks markedly different. Rather than chasing humanoid aesthetics, U.S. firms are betting on purpose-built robots designed to solve specific problems. Richtech Robotics demonstrated ADAM, a robotic barista, while Mammotion unveiled wire-free autonomous lawnmowers aimed at residential users. The common thread: efficiency over spectacle. Realbotix offered another take on humanoids. "Our robots focus on customer service, entertainment and companionship — not physical labor," CEO Andrew Kiguel told AJP. The robots are already being used in senior homes, hotels, resorts and corporate events. The company assembles about five units per month and plans to triple capacity by the end of next year. While not exhibiting at CES 2026, Tesla is accelerating development of its Optimus humanoid. CEO Elon Musk has set a long-term target of producing one million robots a year by 2030. Korea's platform strategy South Korea is carving out a third path, emphasizing platforms, ecosystems and vertical integration over raw manufacturing scale. Hyundai Motor Group staged the first public demonstration of Atlas, developed by Boston Dynamics. The humanoid rose from the floor, walked across the stage and waved to spectators — a signal of readiness for industrial deployment. "We are building robots that can be deployed directly on factory floors and evolve alongside business needs," said Zachary Jackowski, head of Atlas development at Boston Dynamics. Hyundai aims to produce 30,000 robots annually by 2028. Atlas will be deployed at the group's Metaplant America facility in Georgia starting in 2028, initially for parts sequencing and classification tasks, before expanding to assembly by 2030. LG Electronics introduced CLOiD, a home-assistant robot with two articulated arms and five-fingered hands. In a live demonstration, CLOiD opened a refrigerator, selected a drink, set an oven timer and handled laundry — illustrating LG's vision of a "Zero Labor Home," where machines take over repetitive chores. Three philosophies, one race The divergent strategies on display reflect deeper differences in industrial philosophy. China prioritizes scale, mass-producing humanoids to capture market share and drive down costs. The U.S. focuses on function, building robots tailored to specific commercial uses. Korea emphasizes integration, leveraging strengths in AI software, semiconductors and precision components to create platforms that tightly connect hardware and intelligence. The stakes extend far beyond the exhibition floor. As robots move from research labs into factories and homes, the winners will shape how work is performed, how goods are manufactured and how daily life is organized. 2026-01-07 16:53:41

CES 2026: Everyday robotics in all sizes and for all purposes — China's Zeroth Robotics LAS VEGAS, January 07 (AJP) - Meet W1, inspired by WALL-E, the adorable cleaning robot from the Pixar movie. Don't let its big-eyed, cute looks fool you. The robot can follow users anywhere and carry up to 50 kilograms of gear, while its built-in camera enables autonomous filming — a feature likely to appeal to professional filmmakers and outdoor hobbyists alike. W1 is part of the domestic robot lineup from Zeroth Robotics, which is scheduled to open for preorder in the U.S. during the first quarter of this year. What differentiates the fledgling robotics company is its focus on humanoid and companion robots designed for everyday tasks, rather than industrial or warehouse use. "We want to build the world's first robot that can truly interact with the real world," said Zeroth Robotics CEO Renjie Guo in an interview with AJP on Tuesday at the company's booth in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center during CES 2026. Although the company was founded in 2024, the 28-year-old entrepreneur laid out an expansive ambition. "Our goal is to become a companion for every member of the family," Guo said. Unlike many consumer robots that simply mount a camera onto a mobile platform, W1 is designed to film independently while navigating its surroundings. "Other robots just stick a camera on," Guo said. "Ours actually shoots footage on its own." The robot can self-navigate to avoid hazards such as water, and a single charge powers W1 for two to three hours. As production scales up, the company expects manufacturing capacity to reach as many as 3,000 units per day, Guo said. From mini companions to humanoids M1, a 38-centimeter-tall robot named after "Mini" is designed to operate on tabletops, M1 can also mount a balancing scooter to move around the home. The robot is positioned as a companion for seniors, offering gentle medication reminders and safety monitoring. Its functions extend to reading stories to children, playing interactive games, helping care for pets — and even assisting users in writing autobiographies. "We've built an app store and an agent store," Guo said. "Users can download functions tailored to their needs." At the top of the lineup is Jupiter, a full-sized humanoid robot named after the largest planet in the solar system. Guo described Jupiter as the company's most ambitious project. "Someday, this robot will be capable of basic AGI," he said. "It will go beyond being a companion — sometimes it will be a tool." For now, Jupiter is capable of teleoperation demonstrations and basic walking, though Guo acknowledged its movements still need refinement. A camera embedded in the robot's abdomen allows it to perceive and interact with its environment. Why CES, and why now Asked why Zeroth Robotics chose CES 2026 for its debut, Guo said the goal was to present both its products and long-term vision directly to consumers. "We wanted to show all of our products and our vision to consumers," he said. "A robot that's both a companion and a tool — that's what we're here to present." "A robot that truly enters the home and does things you never imagined — that's our one and only goal," Guo added. The company's CES showcase reflects how far — and how boldly — China has advanced in humanoid and consumer robotics, as startups increasingly push robots beyond factories and into everyday life. 2026-01-07 15:47:28

CES 2026: PlayStation on Honda self-driving EVs to be possible on U.S. roads by late 2026 LAS VEGAS, January 05 (AJP) - Imagine cruising down the highway while battling mythical beasts in God of War Ragnarök or listening to bespoke soundscapes by a Japanese music producer — all from inside a self-driving electric vehicle. That future rolled into CES 2026 on Monday as Sony Honda Mobility unveiled its first production-ready model, the Afeela 1, blurring the line between automobile and entertainment hub. The four-year-old joint venture between Sony Group and Honda Motor said customer deliveries in California will begin later this year, with prices starting at $89,000. "Mobility will evolve into an experience that understands every user," said Izumi Kawanishi, representative director and president of Sony Honda Mobility. "Being a car will no longer be about driving it. It will be about making the most of your time and space." Afeela 1 packs 40 sensors and computing power capable of up to 800 trillion operations per second. It launches with Level 2+ advanced driver assistance under "Afeela Intelligent Drive," with the company aiming for Level 4 autonomous capability over time. One signature feature is the integration of PlayStation Remote Play, enabling occupants to stream games from a PS5 directly to the vehicle's panoramic display. Eric Lempel, senior vice president at Sony Interactive Entertainment, also announced exclusive Afeela themes from Astro Bot, including custom wallpapers and sounds. "We want PlayStation to be the best place to play and to give players more ways than ever to access the games they love," Lempel said. "We're excited to bring Remote Play to Afeela." The vehicle's electrical architecture is powered by Qualcomm Technologies via the Snapdragon Digital Chassis. Nakul Duggal, executive vice president at Qualcomm, called the collaboration a shared bet on the intelligent car's future. Afeela's conversational AI — the Afeela Personal Agent — runs on Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service, enabling personalized, natural dialogue tuned to driver preferences and context. Adding an artistic layer, Grammy-nominated Japanese producer Tomoko Ida crafted a custom audio experience that turns electric acceleration into a musical instrument, blending Japanese and Western styles rather than mimicking traditional engine sounds. Yasuhide Mizuno, representative director, chairperson and CEO, confirmed that trial production began last fall at Honda's East Liberty Auto Plant in Ohio, with pre-production vehicles on display at CES. Sales are initially limited to California, with delivery hubs opening this spring in Torrance and Fremont. Demo drives for early reservation holders are planned later this year. Expansion to Arizona follows in 2027, while Japan deliveries are slated for the first half of the same year. Sony Honda Mobility also debuted the Afeela Prototype 2026, a compact SUV-style concept expected to reach U.S. roads as early as 2028. 2026-01-06 13:30:08

CES 2026: Lego no longer just child's play as it goes high-tech and AI LAS VEGAS, January 05 (AJP) - Lego bricks don’t just stack anymore — they listen, light up and talk back. At CES 2026, the Lego Group unveiled AI-embedded bricks designed to bring sound, motion and real-time feedback into physical play, blurring the line between classic building toys and interactive games. At a media showcase on Monday at the world’s largest technology trade show, the Danish toymaker introduced what it calls “Smart Play,” a tech-hybrid Lego platform centered on a standard 2×4 brick embedded with sensors, LED lights and a tiny speaker. The move marks Lego’s boldest step yet into connected play as it seeks to compete on equal footing with digital-first entertainment. The Smart Brick, identical in size to a traditional Lego piece, houses a 4.1-millimeter ASIC chip — smaller than a Lego stud — that runs what the company calls the “Play Engine.” The chip allows the brick to sense motion, orientation, magnetic fields and the proximity of other Smart Bricks, enabling pieces to interact with one another in real time. “We wanted to leverage technical innovation and bring it into physical play,” said Julia Goldin, Lego Group’s chief product and marketing officer. “Kids have unlimited creativity. They have unlimited imagination.” Beyond the core brick, the Smart Play system includes Smart Minifigures and Smart Tags, each equipped with digital IDs readable through near-field magnetic communication. The bricks also feature an accelerometer, integrated copper coils and a miniature speaker that produces sounds triggered by live actions rather than pre-recorded clips. During a live demonstration, two Smart Bricks changed colors depending on how far apart they were and whether they were facing each other. A toy car revved its engine when pushed forward and screeched when sharply tilted. A Lego duck quacked while “swimming” and croaked softly when laid down to sleep. A plane roared through aerial maneuvers, responding to every twist and turn. Minifigures further altered the play experience. A civilian figure screamed when repeatedly rammed by a toy car, while a pilot figurine let out disgruntled sounds if a plane was flipped upside down. Lego said the system operates on a proprietary wireless layer called BrickNet, built on Bluetooth technology using what it calls “Neighbor Position Measurement.” Crucially, the bricks communicate directly with one another without the need for apps, internet connections or external controllers. “The way to think of this is like a tiny distributed console, but for physical play,” said Tom Donaldson, senior vice president at the Lego Group, who led the technical demonstration. “One Smart Brick can be reused to unlock a huge range of different play experiences across potentially thousands of models.” Battery performance was another focus. Lego said the Smart Bricks are designed to function even after years of inactivity, with multiple pieces capable of being charged wirelessly on a shared charging pad. In a surprise appearance, executives from Lucasfilm joined Lego on stage alongside R2-D2 and C-3PO to preview how the Star Wars franchise will anchor the first Smart Play lineup. Lego’s partnership with Lucasfilm began in 1998, when its minifigure catalog comprised just 27 characters. Today, the lineup spans more than 1,500. “The Lego brand is all about building creativity and inventing your own adventure, and this new Lego Smart innovation takes that to the next level,” said Dave Filoni, Lucasfilm’s chief creative officer. “We hope it’ll inspire a whole new generation of storytellers.” Lego plans to launch the Smart Play system with three Star Wars sets in March, with starting prices around $90. The company, which celebrated its 70th anniversary last year, said Smart Play reflects its effort to bring advanced technology into physical play while preserving the open-ended creativity and simplicity that have long defined the Lego brand. 2026-01-06 11:25:21

[[CES 2026]] South Korea fields 853 companies, 3rd largest presence LAS VEGAS, January 05 (AJP) - South Korea is fielding 853 companies to the world’s largest technology showcase, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026, cementing its position as the third-largest national contingent despite a sharp decline from last year. The Korea Information & Communication Technology Industry Association (KICTA) said the figure marks a 17.2 percent drop from 1,031 Korean participants at CES 2025. The pullback was driven primarily by startups, which fell to 458 from 641 a year earlier, while general corporate exhibitors edged up to 395. "A single booth can cost at least 100 million won once accommodation, logistics, patent filings and rental fees are included. The amount can be quite burdening for startups," said Lee Han-bum, president of the KICTA. Major conglomerates are also scaling back their presence along CES’s main exhibition avenues. SK Group — which staged large, multi-affiliate pavilions from 2019 to 2025 — will send only SK hynix this year. HD Hyundai, a regular CES participant known for showcasing next-generation autonomous vessel technologies, will skip the show entirely. Hyundai Motor Group is also scaling down its exhibition footprint, pulling back software and autonomous-driving displays in areas where U.S. rivals currently dominate. Samsung Electronics, meanwhile, plans to host its showcase at a private hotel rather than its usual anchor space at the Las Vegas Convention Center’s Central Hall, which has increasingly been occupied by Chinese electronics giants such as TCL and Hisense. CES 2026, which opens Monday in Las Vegas, has drawn about 4,300 companies from roughly 160 countries, down from around 4,800 exhibitors in 2025. The decline reflects reduced participation from South Korea and China, which together accounted for much of the overall drop. The United States leads this year with 1,476 registered companies, followed by China with 942 and South Korea in third place. France and Taiwan round out the top five with 160 and 132 firms, respectively. Asian companies from South Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong comprise about 2,200 exhibitors, or 51 percent of the total, down from roughly 60 percent last year. China's participation tumbled 29.7 percent to 942 firms from 1,339, partly due to what industry experts say visa delays and reduced advance booth purchases by local agents. Still, Korean firms will dominate the startup-strong Eureka Park pavilion, with 411 companies accounting for the largest national presence among 1,100 global entrants. The United States trails with 195, followed by France at 145. About 80 percent of Korean participants, or 689 companies, will exhibit in group pavilions backed by government agencies, local authorities, universities and conglomerates. Some 164 firms secured independent booths at their own expense. This year's CES carries the theme "Innovators Show Up," with artificial intelligence, robotics, digital health, mobility and smart home technologies highlighted as key exhibition categories. 2026-01-05 12:58:22

China's robotics supremacy set for full display at CES 2026 SEOUL, January 02 (AJP) - To underscore how far China has come in robotics, humanoid robots are now being sold like vacuum cleaners and televisions at a shopping mall in Beijing. That supremacy will be on full display at CES 2026 in Las Vegas. According to official CES data, Chinese companies account for 21 of the 38 exhibitors in the humanoid robotics category this year, making up more than half of all participants. The lineup includes established players such as Unitree Robotics as well as first-time exhibitors like AgiBot and Noetix Robotics, all seeking to expand their footprint in overseas markets. The scale of participation reflects China's rapid ascent in a field widely seen as the next frontier of advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence. Analysts say the sheer number of Chinese exhibitors points to a coordinated national push to dominate the humanoid robotics market before it fully matures. China has filed 7,705 humanoid-related patents over the past five years, far exceeding the 1,561 recorded in the United States over the same period, according to a December report by Morgan Stanley. The lead extends beyond intellectual property into manufacturing capacity, where Chinese firms are moving aggressively toward mass production. AgiBot recently rolled out its 5,000th humanoid robot, while UBTech Robotics plans to scale output to 5,000 units in 2026 and 10,000 units in 2027. By comparison, Tesla is believed to have produced only several hundred units of its Optimus humanoid so far. Unitree Robotics, a Hangzhou-based company often described as one of China's "Six Little Dragons" of emerging technology, opened what it calls the world's first offline humanoid robot retail store on Dec. 31 at a JD Mall in Beijing. Customers can purchase its G1 humanoid robot for about 85,000 yuan ($12,149), or its Go2 quadruped robot starting at around 10,000 yuan, after interacting with the machines in person. Orders can be fulfilled through JD's logistics network for delivery or in-store pickup. The retail rollout highlights a broader shift in how robots are being positioned in China — not merely as industrial equipment, but as consumer products akin to smartphones or home appliances. Behind this push lies a broader state strategy. Beijing has made "embodied intelligence" a core pillar of its upcoming 15th five-year plan, viewing robotics as a way to offset labor shortages caused by rapid population aging and falling birth rates. Pilot programs are already under way to deploy robots in households, nursing facilities and community centers. Globally, the humanoid robotics race is being led primarily by companies in China and the United States. Key players include Tesla, Figure AI, Boston Dynamics, Agility Robotics and Unitree Robotics. Boston Dynamics, acquired by Hyundai Motor Group in 2021 for $880 million, is technically a South Korean-owned company, though its research and engineering operations remain based in Massachusetts. South Korea will also showcase its ambitions at CES 2026. Hyundai Motor Group is set to debut the next-generation Atlas humanoid robot on stage, marking its transition from laboratory development to commercial demonstration. The automaker plans to pilot Atlas at its Metaplant America factory in Georgia. LG Electronics, meanwhile, will introduce its CLOiD home assistant robot, equipped with two articulated arms, seven degrees of freedom per arm and five-fingered hands designed to handle delicate household tasks. The United States will field its own group of humanoid robotics exhibitors at CES, though analysts note that many American firms remain focused on research, software development and pilot programs rather than mass manufacturing. China's advantage lies in its deep manufacturing ecosystem and cost competitiveness. Morgan Stanley estimates that building a supply chain for Tesla's Optimus Gen 2 without Chinese participation would cost nearly three times as much. The competitive stakes extend beyond the exhibition floor. Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang is scheduled to deliver a keynote on Jan. 5 highlighting "physical AI" and robotics, including more than 20 use cases involving robot training and digital twin technologies. Nvidia projects that embodied AI could eventually transform 10 million factories and 200,000 warehouses worldwide. In Washington, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has reportedly been meeting with robotics executives as part of discussions on a national strategy, with an executive order on robotics said to be under consideration. Running through Jan. 9, CES 2026 is expected to draw about 140,000 visitors from 160 countries. More than a technology showcase, the event is shaping up as a global barometer for which nations are best positioned to turn humanoid robots from experimental machines into everyday tools — and for now, China appears determined to lead that transition. 2026-01-02 16:15:53