Around 1,000 Companies Including Samsung, LG, and Hyundai Motor to Attend CES... The Main Trend Is "Physical AI"

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is stepping out of the realm of concepts on screens and making its presence felt as a physical entity. With the opening of CES 2026, the world’s largest electronics and IT exhibition, approaching, the industry’s attention is turning to Las Vegas. This year’s CES is expected to be a stage where “physical AI,” which integrates AI into robots, devices, and spaces, takes center stage, moving beyond generative AI.

According to the industry on January 2, CES 2026 will feature participation from more than 4,500 companies representing over 150 countries worldwide. From Korea alone, about 1,000 companies-including Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, and Hyundai Motor Group, as well as mid-sized companies and startups-will join the exhibition.

CES 2026 Homepage Screenshot

The central keyword for events, exhibitions, and networking at this year’s CES is AI. However, the main topic has shifted. Moving away from generative AI, which has dominated exhibition halls for years since ChatGPT, “physical AI” is now emerging in earnest-AI that perceives and judges the real world through sensors and actuators, and moves on its own. In addition, agent-type AI, which makes decisions and operates autonomously without user intervention, and the concept of ambient AI, which permeates the entire environment, are expected to expand across smart homes, mobility, and robotics.

Among global technology companies, Nvidia is once again in the spotlight. Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, is expected to present a business strategy centered on agent-type AI and physical AI during a special address at CES 2026. There is also interest in whether he will discuss the direction of next-generation AI accelerator development and potential collaborations with memory companies such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. Lisa Su, CEO of AMD, who will deliver the official opening keynote, is also set to unveil AI computing solutions in response. The technology competition among leading semiconductor companies, including Intel and Qualcomm, is expected to become even more pronounced.

Among Korean companies, Hyundai Motor Group’s activities stand out. The group’s robotics subsidiary, Boston Dynamics, will showcase its humanoid robot “Atlas” in a live demonstration for the first time at CES 2026. LG Electronics will unveil its new home robot “LG CLOiD,” presenting its AI-based smart home vision. Samsung Electronics is scheduled to reveal its AI portable projector, “The Freestyle+,” at “The First Look” event in Las Vegas, USA, on January 4 (local time), one day before the official opening of CES 2026.