CES 2026: Boston Dynamics, Hyundai, LG Showcase Advanced Robots

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 in Las Vegas served as a major platform for robotics innovation, showcasing a wide array of machines designed for entertainment, domestic assistance, and industrial labor. The event, spanning from Tuesday to Friday, featured prominent displays from companies like Boston Dynamics, LG, and Roborock. While the sheer volume of robotic technology was impressive, demonstrations also revealed that the sector still faces significant limitations in executing simple tasks efficiently.

Highlights included a high-energy performance by Boston Dynamics, featuring five yellow quadruped robots dancing to K-pop music. The company also presented the Atlas humanoid, designed for factory work, and LG showcased the CLOiD robot intended for home chores. Additionally, Roborock introduced a vacuum prototype capable of navigating stairs. Despite these advancements, the event made it clear that the industry is still refining the speed and reliability of these machines.

Boston Dynamics, the robotics division of Hyundai, opened its presentation with a spectacle that blended technology and entertainment. The company showcased five yellow quadruped robots, known as Spot, performing a synchronized choreography to the song "GO" by the band Cortis. The performance lasted nearly two minutes and included acrobatic moves, such as a flip.

Beyond the dance floor, Boston Dynamics highlighted the practical applications of the Spot robots. According to the company, these units are already utilized in factories worldwide to assist with data collection and equipment checks in areas that are difficult for humans to access.

The company also shifted focus to heavy industry with the presentation of the Atlas humanoid robot. Currently in the development phase, the Atlas is engineered for industrial environments. It boasts a payload capacity of up to 50 kg, the ability to handle objects, execute repetitive tasks, and autonomously swap its own battery. A notable feature of the Atlas is its unique method of standing up, which drew significant attention from attendees. Hyundai Motor has announced plans to implement these robots in its U.S. factories starting in 2028.

LG presented its vision for home assistance with the CLOiD, a humanoid robot designed to help with domestic tasks. During the demonstration, CLOiD successfully placed laundry into a washing machine and transported objects such as a glass of water. However, the robot's speed became a talking point. It took nearly 30 seconds to load a single towel into the machine.

The slow pace of the CLOiD robot drew criticism from technology journalists. One reporter described the action as "dolorosamente demorada" (painfully slow). Another journalist remarked that it was difficult to imagine how long it would take to wash a week's worth of dirty clothes at that pace. LG has not yet announced an official release date for the CLOiD.

Meanwhile, Roborock addressed a common challenge in home cleaning: stairs. The company unveiled the Saros Rover, a robotic vacuum cleaner prototype. Unlike traditional vacuums, the Saros Rover uses two leg-like structures to lift itself and navigate steps. The device is currently in development and does not have an official launch date.

While the robotics on display at CES 2026 demonstrated significant engineering progress, the event also highlighted the current boundaries of the technology. Despite the massive presence of robots at the show, several units struggled to perform basic tasks with the fluidity or speed expected by consumers. These difficulties underscore that the robotics sector is still overcoming technical hurdles before widespread adoption can occur.

The contrast between the high-energy performances of the Boston Dynamics Spot robots and the sluggish movements of the domestic CLOiD illustrates the varying levels of maturity across different robotic applications. As companies like Hyundai and LG continue to invest in these technologies, the focus will likely remain on improving efficiency and reliability.