From Laundry to Cooking: Practical Robots and Smart Appliances To Arrive in Stores This Year

Las Vegas, January 9, 2026 – Robots that can fold laundry, vacuum cleaners that climb stairs, fridges that respond to voice commands, and laptops with rollable screens were among the highlights at CES 2026, the annual consumer electronics show in Las Vegas.CES, short for Consumer Electronics Show, is one of the world’s largest technology trade fairs. Held every January in Las Vegas, it brings together tech companies, startups, and innovators from across the globe to showcase the latest gadgets, electronics and innovations, many of which hint at the future of home, work, and lifestyle technology.Tech giants such as LG, Boston Dynamics, Lenovo, and Samsung, along with Chinese robotics companies including Switchbot, Unitree, and Roborock, demonstrated innovations aimed at making homes smarter and daily life easier.LG’s CLOiD robot showed off its ability to make breakfast, serve drinks, and fold clothes autonomously, while Boston Dynamics’ Atlas robot, now closer to production, can lift 50kg and swap its own batteries. Switchbot’s Onero H1 and other humanoid robots were also showcased, signaling a growing push toward practical home robots.Robot vacuums also evolved this year. Dreame’s Cyber10 Ultra can lift objects while cleaning, and Roborock’s Saros Rover prototype can navigate stairs using wheels and legs, addressing a common limitation of traditional vacuums.Smart appliances were another major focus. Samsung’s new Family Hub fridge can be opened hands-free via voice commands, while GE’s Profile fridge can track discarded food and automatically update a shopping list.Laptop and mobile devices are also pushing boundaries. Lenovo’s Legion Pro Rollable laptop expands from 16 inches to 24 inches, and the ThinkPad Plus Gen 7 Auto Twist rotates its screen automatically. Samsung unveiled its Galaxy Z TriFold phone, which unfolds into a tablet-sized display. Clicks returned the physical keyboard with its BlackBerry-style Communicator phone for Android, emphasizing messaging over social media distractions.Many of these products are expected to reach the market later this year. CES 2026 highlights the growing trend of home automation and smart devices designed to simplify everyday tasks, offering a glimpse into the practical future of connected living.