One of the world’s largest technology trade shows just concluded. CES 2025 featured some cool and quirky technology demos and lots of robots. The robots on display highlight how companies are thinking about placing technology, including AI, in the home.
More robots coming that are cool, a little weird, and maybe even a step into the uncanny valley.
Technicians in Las Vegas got their best look yet at the robots being developed by various companies, thanks to the annual Consumer Electronics Show, one of the world’s largest technology trade shows, which concluded last week. was completed.
The robot offers a glimpse into how companies and startups are bringing technologies like AI and autonomy into people’s homes. The diversity of designs also highlights the question of what kind of aesthetics potential buyers are attracted to.
Would you like to design a “cute” robot? Is it strictly functional? Or do they strive for realism and risk some shoppers finding the design too realistic or creepy?
We took a look at the robots shown off at this year’s CES and rounded up the ones that stood out, either for their potential usefulness or eye-catching design.
$175,000 companion robot with ‘relationship-based AI’
An attendee touches a robot head at the Realbotix booth at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) on January 9, 2025 in Las Vegas. Ian Moll/AFP
If you’re looking for a company that goes the “Blade Runner” route and aims for realism, look no further than Realbotix’s humanoid robots.
Realbotix offers robots designed to look like humans in three options. Busts start at $10,000. The modular robot costs $150,000. The full-body version costs $175,000.
The company boasts that the robot’s body can be customized, with the ability to “replicate any human face with over 14 articulation points to create multiple lifelike facial expressions.” Comedian Whitney Cummings previously spoke on stage about Realbotix’s robot that looks just like her.
If you’re thinking someone might want to use this robot as an AI girlfriend or boyfriend, the robot seems to be leaning into that idea by touting “relationship-based AI.” A Realbotix robot named Aria said at a CES demo that the robot is “specifically designed for companionship and intimacy.”
The bot is capable of conversation thanks to AI and has cameras in its eyes to identify who it’s talking to.
AI bot with children in mind
TCL’s Ai me robot has features that appeal to children and adults alike. Xinhua News Agency/Xinhua News Agency (via Getty Images)
One of the cutest robots to debut at CES this year is TV maker TCL’s Ai me (pronounced “Amy”).
With big blinking doe eyes, a childlike voice, flapping wings, and interchangeable costumes, it’s definitely designed with kids in mind. It is housed in a kind of cradle that can be moved on wheels, but it can also be removed.
However, Ai me also has features that will appeal to adults, such as cooperation with smart home devices and cars, and AI image recognition to identify what is displayed.
The company says it is “the world’s first modular AI companion robot.” Ai me is just a concept at this point and there is no guarantee that it will be brought to market.
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robot vacuum cleaner with arm
Roborock’s Saros Z70 has an extendable arm for moving items out of the way or picking up small items like socks. roborock
On the practical side, the robot vacuum also showed off some upgrades.
Roborock’s Saros Z70 uses AI to analyze its environment and features a foldable arm that can extend objects out of the way, making it easy to clean the house or grab light items like socks or small towels. You can pick it up.
It is expected to be launched on the market in the first half of this year.
Roboback with legs
Dreame’s new robovac can climb small ledges thanks to its legs. dreamy
Robovac isn’t just about getting weapons. Dreame’s X50 Ultra robot vacuum comes with “legs”.
The robot vacuum cleaner climbed a small ledge in a demo at CES, despite some initial hiccups. (For example, I still have a long way to go to climb the stairs at home.)
It is available for pre-order now and will be released on February 14th for $1,699.99.
Samsung’s Bally is back
Ballie is a robot made by Samsung. samsung
This isn’t Bally’s first CES Rodeo, but Samsung says it will finally be available to consumers later this year.
Branded by Samsung as an AI companion robot for the home, the ball-shaped robot moves on wheels and was first unveiled at CES 2020.
Samsung says Bally’s AI-powered features include answering phone calls, projecting movies on your wall, and sending videos of your pet while you’re out and about.
Fluffy bird-shaped robot
Mirumi is a robot-like version of a handbag charm. Yukai engineering
Think of Yukai Engineering’s Mirumi as a robotic version of a pom-pom wallet charm.
This fluffy robot accessory resembles a bird and can be hooked onto your arm or purse to interact with its surroundings.
For example, when someone comes into view, they shyly hide their faces.
According to Yukai Engineering, Mirumi’s crowdfunding will begin this fall.
Tesla and others are preparing their own robots
In addition to the robots shown at CES, other robots are in development at major technology companies.
Apple is rumored to be working on a home robot. Amazon has a $1,600 Astro robot, but it’s still invite-only. And Tesla’s Elon Musk hopes to eventually release Optimus, a humanoid robot, to consumers within the next few years.
Whether shoppers are willing to splurge hundreds, often thousands, of dollars on a home robot is another question.
And while NVIDIA didn’t show off its own robots at CES, CEO Jensen Huang in his trade show keynote talked about the company’s new AI designed to power humanoid robots and other AI applications. Superchip GB10 announced.
