The next robot invasion, as previewed at CES 2025


A robot at the Richtech Robotics booth at CES, an enormous consumer technology exhibition, in Las Vegas, Jan. 7, 20225. Richtech Robotics, which makes robots for businesses, showed off a variety of human-ish helpers. — Photos: The New York Times

LAS VEGAS: Every year, tens of thousands of people flock to Las Vegas to see the latest innovations at CES, an enormous consumer technology exhibition.

This year, the show drew more than 4,500 exhibitors, from car companies like Mercedes-Benz to computer giants like HP. Most offered demonstrations and hands-on experiences of cutting-edge tech still under development.

New robotics, autonomous vehicles and immersive virtual reality experiences dominated. Visitors got a glimpse into a possible future that could involve playing ultrarealistic video games and riding in cars powered by the sun.

Attendees could also pose for selfies with Booster Robotics’ T1 model, a short humanoid robot that performed feats of dexterity.

Attendees look at Mirokaï, an orange robot with a foxlike face, made by Enchanted Tools, at CES, an enormous consumer technology exhibition, in Las Vegas, Jan. 7, 20225. The robot was designed as a greeter for use in hospitals and other medical settings. — The New York TimesAttendees look at Mirokaï, an orange robot with a foxlike face, made by Enchanted Tools, at CES, an enormous consumer technology exhibition, in Las Vegas, Jan. 7, 20225. The robot was designed as a greeter for use in hospitals and other medical settings. — The New York Times

Tech giants like Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, and smaller upstarts have long been pushing virtual reality headsets. Companies pitch the devices – which typically feature large plastic goggles – as the future of everything from gaming to office work. But the technology has been adopted in fits and starts.

The technology was front and center at CES, as attendees experimented with the latest in immersive gaming.

At one booth, people lined up to try a game about fighting monsters. VR headsets and haptic seats, which recreate the feeling of motion and touch, blended the video game with the experience of an amusement-park ride.

The trade show’s annual keynote highlights major tech trends.

This year, Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, pitched a jam-packed audience on the power of artificial intelligence. Nvidia, an AI chipmaker, has become one of the most valuable companies in the world, worth more than US$3 trillion.

During his hourlong talk, Huang demonstrated the high-tech chips’ capabilities in gaming, robotics and autonomous vehicles, displaying AI-generated images on a giant screen behind him.

“We wanted to build computers that can do things that normal computers couldn’t,” Huang said, wearing a shiny, crocodile-print version of his trademark leather jacket.

The AI frenzy took over other parts of CES, too, thanks to the race to build the best chatbots and tools that can generate images, videos and text.

For those who wanted to see how the AI sausage was made, there were close-up peeks at the chips and servers powering the technology. Other exhibitors zoomed out, offering demos of experimental AI-powered autonomous vehicle features.

An attendee poses for a photo at the John Deere booth at CES, an enormous consumer technology exhibition, in Las Vegas, Jan. 7, 20225. John Deere showed off new autonomous tractor technology in vehicles that towered over attendees. — The New York TimesAn attendee poses for a photo at the John Deere booth at CES, an enormous consumer technology exhibition, in Las Vegas, Jan. 7, 20225. John Deere showed off new autonomous tractor technology in vehicles that towered over attendees. — The New York Times

Hyundai Mobis, a car parts manufacturer, demonstrated technology called M.Brain, which used a sensor to monitor drivers and warn them if they became distracted. The technology tracked brain waves, trying to detect stress and attention levels.

John Deere showed off new autonomous tractor technology in vehicles that towered over attendees.

Aptera, a vehicle maker from California, showcased its solar-powered car.

Attendees seeking an opportunity to sit inside and check out the driver console waited at an outdoor plaza where the futuristic car was soaking up the sun. At least one of the vehicles made it onto the road for a test drive.

Attendees look at a solar-powered car from Aptera, a vehicle maker from California, at CES, an enormous consumer technology exhibition, in Las Vegas, Jan. 7, 20225. Attendees seeking an opportunity to sit inside and check out the driver console waited at an outdoor plaza where the futuristic car was soaking up the sun. — The New York TimesAttendees look at a solar-powered car from Aptera, a vehicle maker from California, at CES, an enormous consumer technology exhibition, in Las Vegas, Jan. 7, 20225. Attendees seeking an opportunity to sit inside and check out the driver console waited at an outdoor plaza where the futuristic car was soaking up the sun. — The New York Times

CES hosts international tech makers from a bevy of countries. Ukrainian tech companies presented in a small pavilion dedicated to the nation’s innovations.

Several drone makers displayed their wares. Attendees got a peek at SkyFall, a kamikaze drone system developed for use in the war in Ukraine, and drones made by the Ukrainian company DroneUA.

Robots had a huge presence at the show. Some were aimed at finding a place in the home.

A cat-shaped robot by Yukai Engineering, a Tokyo start-up, is displayed on the edge of a cup to blow air and cool off drinks, at CES, an enormous consumer technology exhibition, in Las Vegas, Jan. 7, 20225. While robots have made inroads into the world of manufacturing, those that can truly replace humans are still few and far between. — The New York TimesA cat-shaped robot by Yukai Engineering, a Tokyo start-up, is displayed on the edge of a cup to blow air and cool off drinks, at CES, an enormous consumer technology exhibition, in Las Vegas, Jan. 7, 20225. While robots have made inroads into the world of manufacturing, those that can truly replace humans are still few and far between. — The New York Times

A Tokyo startup, Yukai Engineering, showed off a cat-shaped robot that perched on the edge of a cup or a plate to blow air and cool off food or drinks.

And while robots have made inroads into the world of manufacturing, those that can truly replace humans are still few and far between. Some exhibitors were working to change that.

Ti5 Robot, a company that makes industrial robots and parts for humanoid robots, displayed a new robotic hand at its booth, one of several on display at CES. Ti5’s version had rubber fingertips for extra grip.

Richtech Robotics, which makes robots for businesses, showed off a variety of human-ish helpers.

At one booth, a small crowd formed around an orange robot with a foxlike face, made by Enchanted Tools. The robot, known as Mirokaï, was designed as a greeter for use in hospitals and other medical settings.

One human replacement on display was a holographic customer service agent made by Holoconnects, a hologram company from the Netherlands. Its holographic agents are designed to offer directions or chat with shoppers in retail settings.

While many of the demos were still something of the future, the show provided a telling glimpse of where technology is headed. ©2025 The New York Times Company

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