LAS VEGAS — Advanced artificial intelligence (AI) solutions and cutting-edge robotics will take center stage at the CES 2026 tech fair, with renowned global firms set to showcase their latest outcomes in the two lucrative domains.

The AI has swept all across the global tech industry for the past year with the rapid rise of large language models and their penetration into every corner of industry.

For this year’s CES, physical AI is expected to steal the limelight. The term refers to the combination of AI and robots or other forms of physical systems, such as machines.

Humanoid robots are one of the most representative forms of physical AI, which enables robots to think and behave similar to human beings in a real-world environment.

Hyundai Motor Group is one of the front-runners in physical AI. The carmaker’s robotics arm, Boston Dynamics, is scheduled to unveil Atlas, its next-generation electric humanoid robot, during the tech fair for the first time.

The carmaker hopes to position itself as a powerhouse of physical AI through the commercialization of humanoid robots.

At CES 2024, the carmaker focused on promoting its vision to become a software-defined vehicle (SDV) maker, but for this year, it will emphasize its smart manufacturing vision driven by AI-powered robots.

Hyundai Motor Group is going all out to broaden its long-held identity as a conventional manufacturing player into one as a software-defined factory (SDF) operator.

The carmaker believes full-fledged SDF will be a game-changer for the global manufacturing industry. SDF will be one of the most advanced forms of smart factories operated mainly by data and software, according to the carmaker.

Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun appears on stage with Boston Dynamics’ four-legged robot dog Spot on the sidelines of the CES tech exhibition in Las Vegas, Jan. 4, 2022. Yonhap

Hyundai Motor Group’s key parts affiliates are also set to present their up-to-date products at CES 2026. Hyundai Wia will participate in the world’s largest tech exhibition for the first time and showcase its AI-converged heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, which uses AI to set optimal temperatures for each seat inside a vehicle.

Hyundai Mobis will also promote its next-generation cockpit solutions for its major auto clients in North America.

“The AI chatbot has so far taken center stage in the global AI industry, but physical AI — represented by industries such as robots and autonomous driving — will emerge as the next key growth areas for the next few years,” an official from the industry said.

Other Korean major firms to join CES include Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, both of which will also unveil their latest AI strategies converged with their state-of-the-art IT products.

A Miroki robot from French company Enchanted Tools is seen at the Eureka Park exhibition at the Venetian Expo Center during the CES tech fair in Las Vegas, Jan. 9, 2024. AFP-Yonhap

CES 2026 will run for four days from Tuesday (local time). Its exhibition space spans some 2.5 million net square feet (232,257.6 square meters), making the show undoubtedly one of the world’s most influential. For this year, some 4,300 companies from over 150 countries will participate.

Koreans’ enthusiasm for the tech fair remains strong, with more than 800 Korean companies set to participate — the third-largest national presence after the United States and China — according to data from the Korea Information and Communication Technology Industry Association. The figure accounts for about 20 percent of all exhibitors.

Korean startups, in particular, will dominate Eureka Park, the startup-dedicated section of CES. Of the roughly 1,100 startups from around the world scheduled to showcase their products and services at CES 2026, 411 are Korean, the largest share by country. The United States ranks second, followed by France and Taiwan.

Aside from the two key domains, the participating firms will also display their latest achievements in digital health, mobility and even beauty and fashion.

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/amp/business/companies/20260105/ces-2026-advanced-ai-robotics-set-to-steal-limelight-at-ces-2026