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Live from CES: What is the point of a robot that falls over?

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Live from CES: What is the point of a robot that falls over?

The Vergecast

5 DAYS AGO
The Vergecast

The Vergecast

5 DAYS AGO
OverviewShownoteHighlightsTranscriptChaptersPins

Shownote

The theme of CES 2026 is gadgets. It's always gadgets. This year more than most, though, the world's biggest tech show is about how fast the hardware world is moving — and how much work the software, and the AI, have to do to catch up. On stage live at the...

Highlights

At CES 2026, the flash of futuristic hardware dazzled once again, but beneath the surface, a growing disconnect emerged between what devices can do and what they actually deliver. From robots that stumble over basic tasks to AI-labeled gadgets with little real intelligence, the show revealed an industry racing ahead on form while lagging on function.
04:58
Robots can be built easily, but their software can't handle simple tasks like folding a towel.
24:18
Dell's research shows consumers aren't buying PCs for AI features
26:44
Gen Z rejects AI-labeled products, seeing them as gimmicks rather than value-added features
43:48
Many companies at CES 2026 are showing successors to products that never shipped.
46:19
AI rewards curiosity but risks undermining skill development and discernment
58:03
Most wearables focus on health and wellness, which is a difficult challenge.

Chapters

Are Robots Ready for Real Homes—or Just Showrooms?
00:00
Why Can't AI Speak the Language of Smart Homes?
12:27
When Does 'Smart' Stop Being a Gimmick?
26:44
Do Our Smart Homes Actually Work Together?
36:28
Is AI Rewiring How We Learn and Read?
46:19
Can One Wireless Standard Unite the Smart Home?
55:49
What If Your Wearable Was Actually Stylish?
1:00:33

Transcript

David Pierce: Support for the show comes from L'Oreal Group, the global beauty leader, defining the future of beauty through science and technology. L'Oreal Group, create the beauty that moves the world. Nilay Patel: I'm from the Brooklyn Bowl at the Cons...