CES 2026 has come and gone, leaving behind a trail of innovative tech, but one thing is clear: AI has officially taken over. From humanoid robots to AI-powered ice makers, the show floor was dominated by artificial intelligence, pushing other crucial innovations, like sustainability tech, into the shadows. While progress was made, it wasn't the headliner this year.

AI Steals the Show

This year's CES felt like a coming-out party for "physical AI," as TechCrunch put it. After years of chatbots, AI has finally made its way into the real world. Boston Dynamics (https://bostondynamics.com/) showed off their newly redesigned Atlas robot, highlighting the advancements in humanoid robotics. If you threw a rock, you'd hit a robotic lawnmower, according to Engadget. It's exciting, sure, but at what cost?

IEEE Spectrum showcased a plethora of robotics videos, highlighting advancements in areas like robotic feeding systems and spatial navigation. These advancements are impressive, but one has to wonder if the sheer volume of AI is overshadowing equally important innovations.

Sustainability Struggles to Shine

Finding sustainable products at CES 2026 required a bit more effort. Engadget reports that the Sustainability section grew from 20 to 38 booths this year, but that includes energy companies and even an AI data platform booth that seemed a little lost. While there were some encouraging displays, none achieved Engadget’s “Best of CES” status this year.

However, there were some glimmers of hope. Companies like Shine (https://www.shineturbine.com/) with their portable wind turbine, Flint with their compostable batteries, and Clear Drop with their soft plastics compactor are all trying to address critical environmental problems. Gaotu Innovation Energy Group (https://www.gaotu-tech.com/) is even sticking solar panels on everything from hats to car roofs.

Promising Sustainable Tech to Watch

Several companies stood out with practical, innovative solutions:

  • Shine Turbine 2.0: A portable wind turbine capable of charging smartphones and laptops.
  • Flint: Creating cellulose batteries that break down quickly in compost.
  • Clear Drop: A soft plastics compactor that turns waste into usable bricks.
  • CPTI: Developing lightweight, flexible perovskite solar panels.
  • Green Vigor: Generating power from building water and HVAC systems.
  • Jackery (https://www.jackery.com/) Solar Gazebo: An outdoor structure that produces up to 10kWh of power daily.
  • Bluetti (https://www.bluettipower.com/): Showcasing new power stations made with bio-based plastic and DIY RV solar systems.
  • Airloom: Developing a unique wind power generation system for data centers.
  • Gaotu: Offering a range of solar-powered products.
  • Segway (https://www.segway.com/) Muxi: A cargo e-bike with swappable batteries.

While these companies are making strides, the overall impression is that sustainability is still fighting for attention amidst the AI hype.

"After years of chatbots and image generators, AI is finally leaving the screen."

— TechCrunch

Despite the dominance of AI, the presence of these sustainability-focused companies offers a glimmer of hope. As Engadget aptly puts it, "I’ll take a modicum of comfort in these few brave organizations still dedicated to keeping us afloat." Hopefully, CES 2027 will see a more balanced representation of innovation, with sustainability taking its rightful place alongside the ever-evolving world of artificial intelligence.