From hyper-real humanoids to phones for pets, Rolling Stone India spotlights some of the most interesting products from CES 2026.
Artwork by Sharanyaa Nair
A global confluence that underscores the best of consumer electronics, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held in January every year is known for launching inventions that feel like they belong in a Black Mirror episode. This year, nascent startups, tech heavyweights and legacy brands displayed a plethora of innovative gadgets, ranging from beauty, lifestyle, pet care, wellness, and more, many of which were attempting to bridge the gap between AI and humans.
From hyper-real humanoids to adorable cyberpets, Rolling Stone India spotlights some of the most interesting products from the lineup below.
One of the most viral products to emerge from the showcase, Lollipop Stars, a product designed by multinational Indian brand Lava Tech, lets you listen to a song simply by biting, licking, or sucking on a lollipop. The secret is bone conduction technology, powered by a reusable electronic module that sends the vibrations straight to your inner ear. They’ve even rolled out artist-inspired flavors, including Ice Spice (peach), Akon (blueberry), and Armani White (lemon). As the industry leans deeper into multisensorial experiences, could this quite literally be the future of music consumption?
While PetPhone, an AI-powered, collar-mounted wearable often dubbed the “world’s first smartphone for pets,” was first introduced in 2025, it returned to the spotlight at CES 2026 with expanded capabilities as part of a broader ecosystem. Featuring high-precision motion sensors, the newer version builds on its early promise to give pet parents deeper insights into their pet’s activity and overall well-being. Most notably, PetPhone enables two-way communication, allowing owners to call their dogs and soothe them during moments of separation or stress. Paired with global connectivity and real-time location tracking, the device also logs movement patterns and social interactions, positioning itself as a holistic blend of communication, wellness, and community, all wrapped around your pet’s collar. Who knows, maybe one day your pet will be doomscrolling too.
While the convention was packed with cutting-edge tech, few things stole the spotlight quite like humanoid robots. From customizable physical companions to hyper-realistic, full-bodied AI-powered sex dolls, these robots showcased an uncanny ability to imitate the most complex human sentiments and movements. Aside from that, “Robosports,” which had already gained prominence through endeavors like World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, was also explored in great detail by the Chinese robotics firm Unitree. Rivalling the likes of Real Steel, in a human referee-officiated match, two humanoid robots threw jabs and uppercuts at each other with calculated agility, often stumbling and recovering just like real athletes. Beyond the ring, exhibits also displayed robots at their domestic best, be it LG’s laundry folding robot or Dreame’s Cyber10 Robovac vacuum cleaner that can climb up the stairs. Humanoid co-workers next? Not a distant thought anymore.
Florida-based startup’s “iPolish” smart color-changing nails might just save you from those long hours at the salon. Thanks to electrophoretic nanopolymer technology (or e-ink), these press-ons can shift between over 400 color variations within seconds. Controlled through the brand’s in-house app and activation device, you can now get a fresh set of nails every week, or possibly, every hour.
Old-school nostalgia meets futuristic tech with Lego’s Smart Play system, which might just make it to the top of your Christmas wishlist. At the centre are Smart Bricks that look exactly like classic Lego pieces, but are packed with sensors that respond to movement, touch, light, and sound. These are paired with Smarttags, scannable elements built into sets and Minifigures, which carry unique identifiers. Together, they unlock different lights, sound effects, mini-games, and missions.
Cyberpets were a standout category at this year’s CES. Amalgamating emotional intelligence with intelligent interaction design, these robotic creatures emulate warmth, anticipate needs and offer companionship to their owners in unique ways. For instance, Sweekar, a pocket-sized, tamagochi-esque creature, is the world’s first AI-powered, physically growing pet. Likewise, the cutesy Ollobot grows with its respective family, adapting to behavioral mechanisms and personalities through its memory system, which even stores milestones or special achievements.
Almost like having a DJ for your dreams, MyWaves is a wearable, non-invasive device that converts the delta waves in your brain into personalized sound pattern designs. Aimed at improving sleep patterns, it uses a patented process to help extend and deepen REM cycles, reduce fatigue, and promote more restorative rest.
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