[CES 2026] "Please Step Aside, the Robot Is Passing"... CES Opens with a Showcase of Cutting-Edge Technology

"Please make way. Please move aside."

On the 6th (local time), in front of the Qualcomm booth at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) in the United States. As a staff member's voice rang out above the noise of the exhibition hall, visitors stepped aside to both sides of the aisle. Down the center, where the crowd had parted, the humanoid robot 'Vinmotion' walked forward. The robot leaned its upper body back, raised its hand, and greeted the audience. Cheers erupted instantly, and smartphones and cameras shot up into the air. The appearance of the robot captured attention even before the exhibition explanation began.

On the opening day of the world's largest electronics and IT exhibition, CES 2026, on the 6th (local time), visitors are watching the humanoid robot 'Vinmotion' at the Qualcomm exhibition hall in the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) in the United States. Photo by Yeongju Jeon

On site, not only large humanoids but also robots of completely different sizes drew attention. The 38 cm tall ultra-compact humanoid, which became a hot topic after its unveiling at CES 2026, is a home robot introduced by the Chinese startup Zeroth Robotics. When the palm-sized robot turned its head and made eye contact from atop a desk, visitors naturally bent down to engage. Equipped with a camera and artificial intelligence, it recognizes faces, holds simple conversations, and serves as an 'AI butler' that reminds users about medication times and schedules.

On the 6th (local time), an AI-based robot was demonstrated at the Nvidia showcase event held at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Las Vegas, USA. Photo by Park Junyi

While scenes featuring robots unfolded throughout the exhibition hall, the pathway in front of the LG Electronics booth at the Las Vegas Convention Center, where the world’s largest electronics and IT exhibition CES 2026 officially opened that day, was packed with people. Visitors stood with their backs to the exhibition hall doors, checking their watches as they waited for the booth to open. When the announcement "4 minutes left" was made, cheers erupted near the entrance and the crowd pressed forward. Even before the opening, visitors who appeared to be influencers were filming at various spots near the entrance, and as the doors opened on the hour, the crowd surged into the exhibition hall like a tidal wave.

The undisputed star of this exhibition was the humanoid robot. LG Electronics debuted its home robot 'Cloid' at CES 2026. Cloid, equipped with two arms and five fingers like a human, guided visitors as it moved along the exhibition hall aisles. When the robot moved, visitors naturally stopped and stepped aside. When its sensors detected a person, Cloid stopped immediately and resumed movement once the path was clear. Throughout the exhibition, whenever the robot stopped, people stopped as well. Even as explanations continued, attention was focused more on the robot’s fingertips and movements than on the products themselves.

On the 6th (local time), the delivery robot 'Dilligent' is assisting visitors with entry at the Nvidia showcase venue inside the Fontainebleau Hotel, where 'CES 2026' is being held. Photo by Park Joon.

Major Korean companies also put humanoids and artificial intelligence at the forefront. Samsung Electronics set up an exclusive exhibition hall at the Wynn Hotel near the LVCC, showcasing AI companions that interact with users and AI-powered home appliances designed for shared household chores. Hyundai Motor Group unveiled a technology demonstration model of its humanoid robot 'Atlas,' entering the robotics competition with a demonstration of freely moving joints.

With CES 2026 participants highlighting artificial intelligence and robotics, Tae Moon Roh, President and Head of the DX Division at Samsung Electronics, explained the company’s robot business strategy in response to the question, "Physical AI is a hot topic, so why isn’t Samsung visible?" At a press conference held in Las Vegas the previous day, he stated, "Samsung Electronics has multiple manufacturing bases, and automation is being prioritized at all of them. We are calmly preparing to expand into both B2B and B2C markets." He added that the company plans to begin full-scale deployment of industrial robots, utilizing domestic and overseas production bases.

CES 2026 Opening

(Las Vegas=Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Sungmin = On the opening day of the world's largest IT and electronics exhibition, CES 2026, the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) in Nevada, USA, was bustling with crowds on the 6th (local time). 2026.1.7 [Joint Coverage]

Changes in the component industry driven by the spread of humanoids were also materialized at CES. Jang Deokhyun, President of Samsung Electro-Mechanics, announced plans to begin operating its Mexico plant in the second half of this year and start mass production of camera modules for humanoids, in line with the expanding humanoid robot market. After the opening ceremony, during a tour of the exclusive Samsung Electronics exhibition booth at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas, Jang told reporters that Samsung Electro-Mechanics had recently invested in an actuator company for humanoids and is also considering entering related markets. The company expects rapid growth in demand for camera modules and actuator components as humanoids become more widespread.

Robots and automation were also at the center of overseas companies’ exhibitions. Chinese companies particularly stood out in terms of scale and spatial design. Hisense recreated actual living spaces such as bedrooms, kitchens, and living rooms in its exhibition. In addition to the living space displays, air conditioning systems were prominently featured, presenting heating, cooling, and ventilation as an integrated intelligent climate control solution. The company highlighted climate control technology that automatically adjusts based on indoor air quality and lifestyle patterns using artificial intelligence, introducing both residential and commercial systems.

The TCL booth drew attention with its sheer size. The focus of the exhibition was on automotive displays. Large displays, dashboard panels, and mock-up vehicles equipped with rollable displays for in-car use were prominently showcased, emphasizing the use of screens in automotive spaces. The strategy of connecting homes and vehicles through display technology was evident. Dreame, known for its cleaning robots, expanded its domain outdoors. The exhibition featured a demonstration of robots cleaning the bottom and walls of a swimming pool, actually operating underwater. This scene intuitively demonstrated the robot’s ability to manage not only indoor but also outdoor spaces.

This year’s CES is being held under the theme "The Era of Innovators" and runs through the 9th. At the opening ceremony, key figures such as Euisun Chung, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group; Park Ji-won, Vice Chairman of Doosan Group (Chairman of Doosan Enerbility); Lee Seokhee, CEO and President of SK On; Jang Deokhyun, CEO and President of Samsung Electro-Mechanics; and Tae Moon Roh, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics, visited the venue and toured the major exhibition halls.

On this day, Euisun Chung, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, visited the Wynn Hotel, where Samsung Electronics set up its exclusive exhibition hall, and met with Tae Moon Roh, Head of the Device eXperience (DX) Division at Samsung Electronics, to view the 130-inch Micro RGB TV, AI-powered home appliances, and robot vacuum cleaners. While listening to an explanation of the robot vacuum cleaner’s driving performance and suction power, Chung discussed with Jaehoon Chang, Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, and then suggested to Roh, "Let’s collaborate together," indicating the possibility of partnership.

Afterward, Chairman Chung visited the NVIDIA Showcase at the Fontainebleau Hotel, where he observed autonomous driving AI platforms and automotive AI technologies and held a private meeting with Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA. When NVIDIA’s autonomous driving AI platform ‘Alphamayo’ was introduced, Chairman Chung asked related questions, and Vice Chairman Chang stated, "All possibilities are open," indicating potential for collaboration.