CES 2025 was a major event that showcased the latest technology from January 7 to 10, 2025, in Las Vegas. The event featured innovations in various fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, smart homes, and electric vehicles. It emphasized emerging trends that are likely to influence the future of technology. Some notable products introduced included handheld gaming computers, AI-driven projectors, and the Afeela 1 electric car. Both new startups and established tech companies presented solutions focused on sustainability, connectivity, and enhancing user experience. Overall, CES 2025 confirmed its status as an important platform for sharing groundbreaking ideas and technological advancements aimed at consumers.

My focus this year was on robots.The robotics showcase at CES 2025 prioritized charm and functionality over revolutionary leaps in mobility. Robots that could scoot, flip, or deliver candy bars captivated attendees with their quirky antics rather than groundbreaking advancements in physical dexterity.

While mobility innovations seemed to plateau compared to 2024, robots at CES 2025 leaned heavily into AI enhancements. Humanoid models like Unitree’s H1 and Enchanted Tool’s Mirokai returned with refined designs and, more notably, integrated AI chatbot capabilities. These bots blurred the lines between machine and companion, offering engaging interactions for users.

Major players like Samsung and TCL also made waves, unveiling AI-driven home robots equipped with advanced vision systems and conversational capabilities. Meanwhile, smaller robotics companies leaned into aesthetics and personality, creating machines designed to charm both the camera and onlookers alike.

CES 2025 highlighted how robotics is increasingly moving toward human-centered design, blending functionality with personality and AI-driven intelligence to make robots more relatable and practical for everyday use.

Mirumi

At CES 2025, Japanese robotics company Yukai Engineering unveiled Mirumi, a furry, clip-on companion robot designed to mimic the curiosity and shyness of an infant. Mirumi features large, expressive eyes and long arms that allow it to securely attach to bag straps or handles, making it a portable and interactive accessory.

Equipped with sensors, Mirumi detects nearby people or objects and responds by turning its head to engage with them. If approached or touched suddenly, it exhibits a shy behavior by ducking away, adding to its lifelike charm. The robot utilizes a distance sensor and an inertial measurement unit to react appropriately to its environment, displaying various behavioral patterns such as looking around when the bag moves or following moving persons or objects with its gaze.

Metapet Noono

Robotic pets steal the hearts at CES 2035. The fascination with robotic animals continues to thrive, as evidenced by the excitement surrounding Tombot’s Jennie, the Labrador-inspired companion robot, and the rise of similarly adorable bots at CES 2025.

Among the highlights was Metapet’s Noono, an AI-powered robotic hamster that charmed attendees with its quirky features. Despite its unusual glowing nose, Noono’s lifelike reactions made it a standout. When petted, it arches its back in delight, mimicking the responsiveness of a real pet. When it’s time to recharge, the tiny robot cozies up in its dedicated baby carrier-style basket, adding a layer of cuteness to its functionality.

As robots like Noono and Jennie gain popularity, the trend underscores a growing demand for robotic companions that bring warmth, playfulness, and low-maintenance interactivity into homes. Whether for entertainment or emotional support, these furry bots are redefining the concept of pet ownership in the age of AI.

Samsung Ballie

Samsung’s Ballie is an AI-powered, rolling robot designed to serve as a personal home assistant. First introduced at CES 2020, Ballie has undergone significant redesigns and is slated for consumer release in the first half of 2025.

Key Features:

• Autonomous Home Assistance: Ballie navigates your home autonomously, connecting with and managing smart home devices to assist in daily tasks.
• Voice Interaction: Equipped with four far-field microphones, Ballie responds to the wake phrase “Hey Ballie,” allowing for hands-free control.
• Visual Monitoring: With a 4K front camera and a 2K rear camera, Ballie can monitor pets, provide video updates, and project images or information onto walls and floors using its built-in projector.
• AI Integration: Ballie’s AI capabilities enable it to learn user preferences and habits, delivering personalized assistance and suggestions, such as recommending wine pairings.

Samsung aims to launch Ballie in the first half of 2025, though specific pricing details have not been disclosed.

TCL AiMe

TCL unveiled its concept robot AiMe, which shares similarities with Samsung’s Ballie, but with an added touch of charm thanks to its adorable, animal-like baby head. AiMe combines AI vision, speech interaction, and mobility to offer a glimpse into the future of cute, interactive robots.

AiMe is built around three modular “cores”:

• The Drive Core, responsible for its rolling movement, also houses speakers to create sound.
• The Baby Core, which houses advanced AI functionalities, allows AiMe to interact with users using AI-powered vision and speech recognition.
• The Mini Core, which can detach, offering on-the-go AI connectivity and enhancing its versatility.

While the demos at CES 2025 primarily showcased AiMe rolling around and blinking, it’s clear that TCL’s vision for AiMe extends far beyond simple mobility. The focus on adorable design and AI interaction positions AiMe as a potential future companion bot that could enhance daily life with both functionality and charm.

Galbot Convenience Store Bot

Nvidia captured attention with its powerful GeForce RTX 50-series graphics cards, showcasing a range of demos highlighting their next-level capabilities. However, the company also made room for an unexpected star: Galbot, a hand robotics prototype powered by Nvidia’s datasets.

Galbot, a humanoid robot, performed a charming demo where it rolled over to a shelf full of candy and drinks. Using its prong-shaped claws, it carefully clamped onto a snack, and then—at a painfully slow pace—delivered the treat into a person’s waiting hand. While it was a lighthearted demonstration, the underlying showcase was about Nvidia’s impressive robotics technology and AI-driven capabilities.

As for the free snack? Galbot’s offering was strictly a one-time act—no free treats were handed out to the lucky attendees! But the demo still demonstrated the precision and dexterity of Nvidia’s hand robotics, hinting at future applications in everything from manufacturing to personal robotics.

Unitree Go2 Robot Dog

This was my favorite robot. Unitree showcased its impressive robotics lineup, including the G1 humanoid robot, which remained motionless during most of the demonstration. However, the real star of the show was Go 2, a quadrupedal robot dog that wowed the crowd with its agility and playfulness.

The Go 2 demonstrated its impressive capabilities by walking on four legs, standing on two legs, and even performing flips—thanks to simple voice commands. Equipped with an ultra-wide 4D LiDAR sensor, Go 2 can monitor its environment, avoid obstacles, and navigate spaces autonomously.

What makes the Go 2 especially appealing is its price point: starting at $1,600, it offers a far more accessible option than competitors like Boston Dynamics’ Spot, which can cost around $74,500. This price difference makes Go 2 a more manageable and fun option for enthusiasts, hobbyists, and even professionals looking for an affordable robot dog with advanced capabilities.

Unitree’s Go 2 is a great example of how robotics is evolving to offer practical and fun solutions at a fraction of the cost of high-end models.

Jzai Mi-Mo

Jzai introduced Mi-Mo, a quirky six-legged robot that doubles as a table and a lamp. Picture the iconic Pixar lamp, but with spider-like legs and a slightly wobbly shuffle, creating an eerie yet endearing sight. Despite its unconventional appearance, Mi-Mo is relatively polite, waving its arm at curious onlookers and trying to interact with its surroundings.

Equipped with multiple AI vision models, Mi-Mo can perceive its environment and respond, although its current capabilities are still limited. Unlike last year’s speedier Carpentopod, Mi-Mo doesn’t rush around or perform flashy stunts—it’s more about its curious, gentle movements and its role as a functional, interactive piece of furniture.

While the design may not be as fast or dynamic as other robotic tables, the charm and politeness of Mi-Mo might just win you over. If these robot tables continue to stay friendly and playful, who knows? They could one day find a place in your home, shuffling around to light up your space while keeping an eye on the action.

Roborock Saros Z70

While robotic vacuums used to be the star of the show, Roborock’s Saros Z70 at CES 2025 added a new twist to the familiar formula—by introducing an arm. The “Omnigrip” arm is designed to track down and pick up rogue socks, stray toys, and other small objects that often get left behind on your carpet. It’s not the fastest of robots, but its ability to assist with tidying up the messes we leave on the floor adds a new level of functionality to your typical robovac.

Perfect for anyone too lazy to bend down and pick up after themselves (especially kids!), the Saros Z70 brings a little extra convenience to your cleaning routine. While it’s not about speed or flashy moves, its practical use case could win over those who value cleanliness but dislike the hassle of manual cleaning. The Z70 might just be the helpful robot assistant you didn’t know you needed for your home.