CES 2026 debuts in Las Vegas, with TechCrunch highlighting five of the most eye-catching products, from an AI panda that responds to touch to Razer’s holographic anime assistant, showcasing the limits of technological creativity and experimentation.
(Background recap: Huang Renxun promotes NVIDIA’s self-driving Alpamayo at CES 2026, Rubin’s new platform: screen-generating AI has reached its limit, next is physical AI)
(Additional background: China’s version of Nvidia “Moore Threads” skyrocketed 468% on its first day of listing, early investors earned 6,200 times their investment, creating a new A-share myth)

Table of Contents

• AI anime partner staring at you on the desk
• Cute AI panda baby robot designed for the elderly
• $500 AI silent ice maker
• Ultrasonic chef knife vibrating during chopping
• Lollipop playing Ice Spice music in your mind

The annual consumer electronics show CES is grandly underway in Las Vegas, with major companies bringing their most advanced technologies and products, attracting many tech enthusiasts, users, and industry professionals.

TechCrunch has specially selected the craziest products discovered at CES 2026, from an AI panda that responds to your touch to Razer’s holographic anime assistant, along with more astonishing and bizarre products that make you wonder: “Who even thought of this?”

The editorial team has compiled the following:

AI anime partner staring at you on the desk

Razer’s Project AVA was originally launched last year as an eSports AI coach. It has now evolved into a new product: a 5.5-inch animated holographic desktop companion that can assist with game strategies, boost productivity, manage daily tasks, and even offer personal advice. It is both a gaming ally and a daily assistant. Users can choose different characters, such as anime girl Kira or muscular Zane.

These digital virtual characters feature lifelike movements, eye tracking, rich expressions, and lip-sync capabilities, creating a realistic interactive experience. But what’s truly eye-catching is its continuous monitoring feature — this device observes you and your screen through a built-in camera. It’s a bit unsettling, but since it’s still a concept product, there’s no guarantee it will become a real product.

Cute AI panda baby robot designed for the elderly

AnAn is Mind with Heart Robotics’ latest AI pet, combining adorable design with a meaningful mission: supporting elderly care.

This panda robot is equipped with high-tech sensors all over its body and reacts naturally when touched. Its emotional AI remembers your voice, interaction style, and preferences, so the longer you interact with AnAn, the more personalized it becomes. It provides around-the-clock emotional support to combat loneliness.

Additionally, for seniors who may have memory issues, AnAn can help keep them active, remind them of daily tasks, and allow caregivers to monitor their health status at any time.

$500 AI silent ice maker

Smart home appliance brand GoveeLife has launched a desktop smart ice maker that uses AI technology to operate quietly. The company’s patented AI NoiseGuard technology aims to reduce the annoying noise typically produced by ice makers. The AI detects when the machine is about to ice and generate noise, automatically defrosting before it gets loud.

Smart Nugget Ice Maker Pro can produce fresh ice in just six minutes, with a daily capacity of up to 60 pounds. The ice bin can hold 3.5 pounds of ice at once. Priced at $499.99 — which might give you pause — but if you’re ready to upgrade your ice-making setup, it will be available for purchase starting January 15 on Amazon, govee.com, Walmart, or Best Buy.

Ultrasonic chef knife vibrating during chopping

This kitchen gadget might look silly or very practical, depending on who you ask. Unlike traditional knives, Seattle Ultrasonics’ knife’s blade vibrates over 30,000 times per second, allowing it to cut through food easily. This vibration technology makes the knife sharper than a real blade, making chopping vegetables, meat, or bread easier for chefs.

According to the company, the vibrations are so subtle that you can’t see the blade moving or hear any sound, and you won’t feel any vibration in the handle. The knife is priced at $399 and is currently available for pre-order.

Lollipop playing Ice Spice music in your mind

Since there are musical toothbrushes, why not a lollipop that plays music? Lollipop Star showcased their delicious product at CES, which plays music in your mouth via bone conduction. (This technology transmits vibrations directly through the skull to the inner ear.)

These lollipops also offer a burst of fruit flavor. You can choose from three artists: Ice Spice (peach flavor), Akon (blueberry flavor), and Armani White (lime flavor).