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Artificial intelligence, assistive technology and products ready for real-world use are commanding attention at CES 2026 in Las Vegas.
Produced by the Arlington-based Consumer Technology Association, the world’s largest technology showcase now resembles a global innovation summit more than a traditional gadget expo. Robotics, mobility, health, sustainability and immersive experiences are converging as AI spreads across nearly every sector.
Alexandria residents Douglas Goist and Jonathan Lucas attended the event, which ranges from enormous flagship displays to demonstrations led by startup founders. Lucas founded NSite, a subsidiary of the National Industries for the Blind, where Goist works.
“Each year the technology advances, particularly regarding accessibility,” Goist said.
Goist, who is blind, met with companies developing accessibility tools, including HapWare. Its wearable uses AI and haptic technology to help people who are blind or neurodiverse interpret nonverbal cues such as facial expressions, gestures and body language.
“Anything that can improve the quality of life for individuals is a good thing,” Goist said.
He wears Meta glasses and noticed that several companies had expanded their smart-glasses offerings.
AI Moves Into Everyday Products
At CES 2026, artificial intelligence is no longer presented simply as the next major trend. It is embedded in consumer hardware, vehicles, workplace tools and healthcare platforms serving people and pets.
Major exhibitors are displaying AI devices that process information locally, an approach intended to improve speed, privacy and resilience. Birdfy, which makes camera-equipped birdhouses and feeders, emerged as a popular attraction.
Companies are also introducing more deployable products instead of prototypes. Discussions increasingly center on governance, trust and energy efficiency as the industry turns its attention to adoption at scale and readiness for regulation.
Amazon has a substantial presence at the show, highlighting advances in consumer devices and its AWS cloud services.
Startups and Northern Virginia Firms Join the Showcase
Eureka Park, CES’s specialized startup section, features more than 1,000 companies from around the world. Exhibits include AI-assisted diagnostics and digital health tools, climate and energy technology, autonomous systems, robotics, accessibility products, smart sensors and next-generation hardware.
Northern Virginia exhibitors include Virtual Health Associates of Burke; VibeBrux and Sheeva.AI of Vienna; Spectrohm, Pixalate and Eye Chip Corp. of McLean; the National Waste and Recycling Foundation, A2 Labs and Edge Cortix of Arlington; IriHealth and George Mason University of Fairfax; Comscore of Reston; and Alarm.com Inc. of Tysons.
Vehicle technology is another major draw, with in-car AI assistants, advanced driver-assistance systems and infrastructure designed for smart-city transportation.
Digital health exhibits include remote patient-monitoring devices that have entered or are approaching FDA pathways. Other featured technologies use AI for imaging, cardiology and chronic-disease management, connect wearable devices with predictive wellness platforms, or support hospital-at-home care intended to ease pressure on healthcare systems.
“It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but the technology is advancing with the goal of improving the lives of individuals, particularly those with accessibility needs,” Lucas said.