CES 2026: EVs Take Backseat to AI and Robotaxis

The automotive industry's presence at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 marked a significant shift in strategic priorities. Rather than unveiling new electric vehicle models, major manufacturers focused heavily on artificial intelligence and autonomous technology. Hyundai used its keynote address to showcase the Atlas humanoid robot from Boston Dynamics, a move that highlighted the industry's changing focus.

This pivot suggests automakers are responding to recent market challenges regarding EV sales in the United States. Additionally, Mercedes announced plans to deploy Nvidia-powered technology. The collective message from the event indicates that while electric vehicles remain part of the portfolio, the immediate future for these companies lies in AI integration and robotaxi development.

The decision by Hyundai to headline its CES appearance with a humanoid robot rather than a vehicle speaks volumes about current industry sentiment. As one of the world's largest electric vehicle sellers, the company chose to highlight the Atlas robot from Boston Dynamics. This specific choice of product demonstrates a clear shift away from traditional automotive announcements.

By prioritizing robotics over new car models, Hyundai is signaling how the auto industry is absorbing the "bad news" regarding EV performance in the United States during 2025. The presentation suggests that the company views robotics and automation as the next frontier for growth, rather than expanding their current EV lineup immediately.

The overarching theme of the event was the transition from electrification to autonomy. The sentiment "EVs are out, and AI and robotaxis are in" effectively summarizes the mood on the showroom floor. Automakers are aggressively pivoting their research and development budgets toward autonomous driving systems and the infrastructure required to support them.

This shift represents a maturation of the EV market, where basic electrification is no longer a differentiator. Instead, the competition is moving toward who can best integrate advanced artificial intelligence into their vehicles to enable fully autonomous ride-hailing services.

Hyundai was not the only major player signaling a new direction. Mercedes also utilized the platform to announce significant technological partnerships. The luxury automaker detailed plans to roll out technology powered by Nvidia, further cementing the reliance of traditional car manufacturers on Silicon Valley chipmakers.

This collaboration highlights the increasing convergence of the automotive and technology sectors. As vehicles become more defined by their software capabilities, partnerships with AI and computing giants like Nvidia are becoming essential for legacy automakers to remain competitive in the new landscape.

CES 2026 will likely be remembered as the moment the auto industry officially looked beyond the electric vehicle revolution toward the next technological leap. The heavy emphasis on humanoid robots and autonomous AI suggests that manufacturers are preparing for a future where the car is defined by its intelligence rather than its power source. While the transition to electric mobility continues, the race for dominance in the robotaxi era has officially begun.