[CES 2026] "Massage Suit, Mind-Reading Devices" Steal the Show... The AI Boom Reaches Healthcare

Healthcare Innovations Capture Attention at CES
Expansion of "Intelligent Healthcare" with AI Integration
Bodyfriend and Ceragem Scale Up Their Booths

The world's largest electronics and IT exhibition, CES 2026, has expanded its scope to include health management and wellness, intensifying the technological competition among healthcare companies.

This year, a large number of domestic and international healthcare companies participated in CES, showcasing a variety of technologies such as AI-based personalized health management, robotics-integrated products, and home care solutions. The core keyword that emerged was "intelligent healthcare," which goes beyond simple massage or fitness devices to analyze the user's condition and autonomously adjust its operations.

At a booth set up by healthcare specialist Bodyfriend on the 8th (local time) at the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) in the United States, a visitor is experiencing the AI healthcare robot '733'. Photo by Park Junyi.

On January 8 (local time), Korean mid-sized company Bodyfriend set up a 157-pyeong (approximately 520 square meters) booth in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), unveiling a total of 40 products across 21 categories. Of particular note was the upgraded model of the AI healthcare robot "733," which features new technology enabling ankle rotation, drawing significant attention from visitors. This device is a wearable massage machine that can be worn directly on the body like a robot. The model received an innovation award last year, and this year it has been improved so that not only the arms and legs, but also the ankles, can move independently.

Healthcare specialist Bodyfriend's AI healthcare robot '733' is performing a synchronized dance at the booth set up in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) on the 8th (local time). Provided by Bodyfriend.

Visitors who experienced the 733 on site expressed their amazement one after another. Unlike conventional massage devices that only operate when the user is lying down or sitting, this product stands up on its own at the push of a button and stabilizes the user's posture when they sit down. It evoked images of wearing the suit from the movie "Iron Man."

Another healthcare specialist, Ceragem, also set up a booth inside the Venetian Expo to showcase its home care solutions. Notably, Ceragem won as many as 12 innovation awards at this year's CES.

Among the award-winning products, the "Home Therapy Booth 2.0 AI" features a fully enclosed booth structure that uses thermal sensors to detect biometric signals such as heart rate, respiration, body temperature, and sleep quality. It automatically adjusts heat, lighting, sound, aroma, and oxygen concentration. Baek Geunyoung, Deputy Director of Ceragem’s Technology Research Institute, said, "This is our third year operating a booth here, and we are expanding the scale each year."

Healthcare specialist Ceragem is exhibiting the 'Home Therapy Booth 2.0 AI' at a booth inside the Venetian Expo on the 8th (local time). Photo by Park Junyi.

The "Naqi Neural Earbuds" from Belgian company NAQI received the "Best Innovation Award" in the accessibility and sustainability category at this year's CES, attracting attention for its technology that allows users to control devices using only their thoughts, without any spoken commands or physical actions.

Belgian company NAQI demonstrated a video of the 'Naqi Neural Earbuds' at their booth inside the Venetian Expo on the 8th (local time). Photo by Park Jun.

This product is set to be commercialized next year. A NAQI representative explained, "Although it looks like a regular earbud, once worn, sensors detect brainwaves and subtle facial muscle signals. This enables users to control computers, digital devices, smart home IoT equipment, robots, and wheelchairs without a screen."