Key Facts
- ✓ Razer unveiled Project AVA, a 3D holographic AI desk companion, at CES 2026.
- ✓ The device uses xAI's Grok AI technology and features 5.5-inch tall holograms.
- ✓ Users can reserve a unit with a $20 deposit for shipment in the second half of 2026.
- ✓ The device offers five avatar options, including a Razer logo and humanlike forms like Kira and Zane.
Quick Summary
Razer has officially entered the AI companion market with the announcement of Project AVA at the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). This new device moves AI interaction away from smartphones and onto the desktop, utilizing 3D holographic technology to project a virtual companion into a physical space.
The 'desk companion' is currently available for reservation online with a $20 deposit fee. Razer intends to begin shipping the units during the second half of 2026, though the final price of the device has not yet been disclosed.
Project AVA represents a significant shift for Razer, a company primarily known for gaming peripherals, as they compete with tech giants like xAI and Replika to define the future of personal AI.
Project AVA Features and Capabilities
Razer showcased Project AVA as a device that allows an AI companion to stand in a jar on a user's desk. The technology relies on human-like vision and audio sensing to maintain full contextual awareness of its surroundings.
The device projects a 5.5-inch tall hologram. Users can choose from five distinct avatar bodies:
- Ava: A bubbling Razer logo
- Kira: A catgirl character
- Zane: An inked-up male character
- Faker: A spectacled character
- Sao: A professional character resembling a Japanese influencer
Currently, the system runs on xAI's Grok AI technology, though Razer has indicated plans to open the platform to other leading AI companies in the future. The avatars are still in development and remain subject to change.
"We're not trying to foster a relationship, but we do acknowledge that people are using their AIs in a more personal way."
— Min-Liang Tan, CEO, Razer
Practical Uses and Market Position
Razer provided specific examples of how users can interact with Project AVA. The companion is designed to assist with practical tasks rather than serve as a romantic partner. Capabilities include:
- Tracking moods
- Planning schedules
- Analyzing spreadsheets
- Translating conversations
- Providing encouragement
Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan addressed the intent behind the product, noting that while users often form personal connections with AI, Project AVA is not designed for stereotypically lonely gamers. He stated, "We're not trying to foster a relationship, but we do acknowledge that people are using their AIs in a more personal way."
While smaller companies like Dipal and Code27 have previously sold physical AI companions, Razer is the largest company to enter this specific niche. The product aims to bridge the gap between digital assistants and physical presence.
The Competitive AI Landscape 🤖
The launch of Project AVA comes amid a rapidly heating race to dominate the AI companion space. Companies are increasingly realizing that users desire more than just functional chatbots; many seek friendship or digital intimacy.
Replika pioneered the American market in 2019, while xAI entered the game in 2025 with anime-style companions like Ani, Rudi, and Valentine. Unlike Razer's offering, xAI's companions feature NSFW abilities and have reportedly formed lasting relationships with users.
OpenAI has also seen users form emotional connections with ChatGPT. CEO Sam Altman recently announced plans for an age-gated erotica feature, signaling a broader industry trend toward personalizing AI interactions.
Japan has seen a boom in 3D companions, highlighted by a user who married a Gatebox anime companion. Razer's entry suggests that 3D holographic companions may be the next frontier in this evolving market.
Availability and Future Outlook
Customers interested in Project AVA can currently reserve the device online. The reservation requires a $20 deposit, which secures a spot for the anticipated shipment window in the second half of 2026.
Razer is betting that the physical manifestation of AI will appeal to a broad audience. By offering a device that sits on a desk, the company hopes to make AI assistance a constant, visible presence in the user's environment rather than a hidden background process on a phone.
As the technology matures and the platform opens to other AI models, Project AVA could become a central hub for personal computing, blending utility with the emotional engagement that has defined the recent surge in AI popularity.
