CES 2026 may be dominated by major brands showcasing cutting-edge processors, AI platforms, and next-gen displays—but the show’s true entertainment often comes from the devices nobody saw coming.
From emotionally responsive robot animals to AI companions that quietly observe you from your desk, this year’s expo has already delivered a collection of gadgets that blur the line between innovation and absurdity. Here’s a look at some of the most unusual tech unveiled at CES 2026 so far.
A Desk-Top AI Anime Companion That Watches You Work
Razer has taken its experimental Project AVA in a very different direction. Originally presented as an AI esports coaching tool, the concept has now evolved into a 5.5-inch holographic desktop assistant designed to help with gaming, productivity, scheduling, and even personal advice.
The animated assistant appears as a floating character—users can select avatars like the anime-styled Kira or the muscular Zane—and features realistic facial expressions, eye tracking, lip-synced speech, and fluid body movements.
What makes Project AVA especially unsettling is its built-in camera, which continuously observes both the user and their screen to offer contextual assistance. While impressive, the constant monitoring raises privacy concerns. For now, Razer says the project remains a concept with no confirmed commercial release.
A Soft, AI-Powered Baby Panda Designed for Elderly Care
Image Credits: Mind With Heart Robotics
Mind with Heart Robotics introduced An’An, an AI companion robot shaped like a baby panda, built specifically to support older adults.
Covered in advanced touch sensors, An’An responds naturally to physical interaction, reacting differently depending on how and where it’s touched. Its emotional AI system learns from voices, habits, and preferences over time, allowing the robot to personalize interactions and provide continuous emotional companionship.
Beyond comfort, An’An also plays a practical role—helping users stay mentally engaged, offering reminders for daily routines, and sharing wellness updates with caregivers. The goal is to reduce loneliness while improving quality of life for seniors living independently.
A $500 AI Nugget Ice Maker That Prioritizes Silence
Smart home brand GoveeLife debuted a countertop nugget ice maker that uses artificial intelligence to solve an unexpected problem: noise.
The Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro features the company’s proprietary AI NoiseGuard technology, which anticipates when ice buildup is likely to cause loud cracking or grinding. Before that happens, the system automatically triggers a defrost cycle to keep operation quiet.
The machine produces ice in as little as six minutes, can generate up to 60 pounds per day, and holds 3.5 pounds in its storage bin. Priced at $499.99, it launches January 15 and will be available through major retailers including Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and Govee’s own website.
An Ultrasonic Kitchen Knife That Vibrates Through Food
Seattle Ultrasonics unveiled a knife that looks ordinary—until you start cutting with it.
Unlike traditional blades, this knife vibrates at more than 30,000 times per second, using ultrasonic motion to glide effortlessly through food. The vibrations enhance cutting performance without relying on extreme sharpness, making slicing vegetables, meat, or bread noticeably easier.
According to the company, the motion is so fine that users can’t see, hear, or feel the vibration in the handle. The ultrasonic knife is currently available for preorder at $399.
A Music-Playing Lollipop That Streams Songs Through Your Skull
Perhaps the strangest item on display comes from Lollipop Star, which showcased a candy that plays music using bone-conduction technology.
When placed in the mouth, the lollipop sends vibrations through facial bones directly to the inner ear, allowing users to hear music without headphones. Each flavor is paired with an artist:
- Ice Spice (peach)
- Akon (blueberry)
- Armani White (lime)
Along with the music, users also get a burst of fruity flavor—making this one of the most unexpected audio devices at CES 2026.
CES 2026’s Weird Tech Is Just Getting Started
While many CES announcements focus on practical upgrades and performance gains, these bizarre creations prove that experimentation is still alive in consumer technology. Whether these products ever reach store shelves or remain unforgettable concepts, they’ve already succeeded in one way—getting everyone talking.
