CES 2026’s Most Bizarre Tech Revealed
▼ Summary
– The article highlights quirky and unexpected gadgets from CES 2026, moving beyond major tech announcements.
– Razer’s Project AVA is a holographic desk companion concept that monitors users and offers gaming and personal assistance through animated avatars.
– An’An is an AI-powered panda robot designed to provide emotional support and daily task reminders for older adults through touch-responsive sensors.
– GoveeLife introduced a $500 smart ice maker that uses AI to predict and reduce operational noise during the ice-making process.
– Other notable gadgets include an ultrasonic vibrating chef’s knife and a lollipop that plays music via bone conduction technology.
The annual Consumer Electronics Show often showcases the biggest names in technology, but the most memorable moments frequently come from the unexpected and downright peculiar gadgets that spark curiosity and conversation. This year’s event is no exception, presenting a collection of bizarre innovations that blend advanced technology with unconventional applications, from holographic companions to silent ice makers.
One of the standout oddities is Razer’s Project AVA, which has transformed from an esports coach into a holographic desk companion. This 5.5-inch animated figure offers help with gaming, daily tasks, and even personal advice, featuring characters like an anime girl named Kira. The avatar boasts remarkably lifelike movements, eye-tracking, and expressive facial animations. However, its constant monitoring via a built-in camera, which watches both the user and their screen, introduces a notably unsettling element of surveillance. It remains a concept with no confirmed release date.
In the realm of assistive technology, Mind with Heart Robotics introduced An’An, an AI-powered baby panda robot designed for elderly care. Covered in sensitive sensors, it responds naturally to touch and uses emotional AI to learn a user’s voice, preferences, and interaction patterns, becoming more personalized over time. Its primary role is to provide continuous companionship, help with memory-related tasks, offer reminders, and keep caregivers informed about the user’s status, directly addressing issues of loneliness and cognitive support.
For the smart home enthusiast, GoveeLife presented a countertop smart ice maker that utilizes AI specifically to minimize operational noise. Employing patented AI NoiseGuard technology, the device predicts when freezing cycles will generate sound and proactively initiates a defrost sequence to prevent it. The Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro can produce ice in six minutes, with a daily capacity of 60 pounds and a storage bucket holding 3.5 pounds. Priced at $499.99, it will be available from major retailers starting January 15.
The kitchen saw its own unusual entry with an ultrasonic chef’s knife from Seattle Ultrasonics. This tool features a blade vibrating over 30,000 times per second, which allows it to cut through food with exceptional ease, effectively behaving as if it were sharper than its actual edge. The vibrations are imperceptible, unseen, unheard, and unfelt in the handle, promising to simplify slicing everything from vegetables to bread. This high-tech knife carries a $399 price tag and is open for pre-order.
Perhaps the most whimsical invention is the musical lollipop from Lollipop Star, which plays music directly into the user’s head via bone conduction technology. By sending vibrations through the skull to the inner ear, it allows for a private audio experience while enjoying a fruity treat. The lollipops come pre-loaded with tracks from artists like Ice Spice (peach flavor), Akon (blueberry), and Armani White (lime), merging confectionery with personal entertainment in a uniquely modern way.
(Source: TechCrunch)
