Robots Steal the Show at CES 2026 with Ping Pong, Boxing, and More

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At this year's CES tech conference, a diverse lineup of robots stole the spotlight, showcasing advanced capabilities that left attendees both amazed and questioning the future of robotics. From ping-pong playing machines to boxing humanoids, these bots blurred the line between innovation and imitation, raising debates over the role of robots in society. The author explores the most memorable robots, including a convenience store clerk, a laundry folder, and a household butler, and ponders whether we're building tools or creating competitors as these machines become increasingly lifelike.

Why it matters

The robots showcased at CES 2026 represent significant advancements in robotics that could have far-reaching implications for industries, jobs, and even our daily lives. As these machines become more capable and human-like, there are growing concerns about the ethical and societal impacts, such as the potential displacement of human labor and the blurring of the line between technology and humanity.

The details

The article highlights several standout robots from CES 2026, including a ping-pong playing bot from Chinese firm Sharpa that showcased advanced robotic hand dexterity, even though it lost to its human opponent. EngineAI's T800 boxing robots, named after the Terminator franchise, drew crowds with their shadowboxing and occasional stumbles, raising questions about how comfortable people are with humanoid robots that mimic human behavior. Unitree's dancing robots impressed with their speed and moves, but the company's ties to the Chinese military have sparked debates about the origins and potential military applications of such technology. Other notable robots included a convenience store clerk bot from Galbot, a laundry folding machine from Dyna Robotics, and LG's CLOid household assistant robot.

• CES 2026 took place in January 2026.

What’s next

As these advanced robots continue to be developed and showcased, there will likely be ongoing debates and discussions around the ethical, societal, and economic implications of their increasing capabilities and human-like attributes. Policymakers, industry leaders, and the public will need to grapple with questions of job displacement, privacy, safety, and the overall impact of robotics on our daily lives.