CES 2026’s Big New Gadget: A “Friend” (That Needs Charging)

CES is an annual Las Vegas tech show where companies roll out the “future,” and everyone politely pretends they understand it.

At this year’s show, one trend was impossible to miss: AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is basically when computers get smart—really smart. Imagine if your c... More companions and robot “pets.”

Not smarter toasters. Not faster phones. Devices designed to do something wildly ambitious in a world of gadgets: keep you company.

Now I personally have mixed feelings about this trend. It can serve a very important – and much needed – role for some. But there’s a very dark side to all of this, too.

Let’s take a look at this trend, and the good and bad that comes with it.

What’s actually happening

For years, “AI” mostly lived inside screens. You typed. It answered. End of relationship.

Now companies are trying to give AI a body. Something with eyes. Something that reacts when you talk. Something you can pet, nudge, or keep on a table like a tiny electronic roommate.

Some of these companions look like animals. Some look like plush creatures from a children’s movie. Some look like small robots that are (mostly) cute and innocent looking.

Why seniors are at the center of this

This trend isn’t aimed only at seniors, but seniors are clearly one of the biggest reasons it exists.

A lot of older adults deal with:

• Living alone more often
• Less day-to-day social interaction
• Mobility or health limitations that make going out harder
• The very real emotional drag of quiet days that start to stack up

A companion device doesn’t “fix” any of that. But it can help in smaller ways, like:

• Giving someone something to interact with every day
• Encouraging routines (“time for your walk,” “take your meds,” “call your daughter”)
• Providing comfort without the responsibility of a living pet
• Offering a gentle sense of presence in the home

Basically: it’s trying to fill the space between “I’m totally fine” and “I need full-time help.”

The different kinds of “companions” (because not all of these are the same)

These products get lumped together, but they fall into a few buckets:

1) Comfort companions (robot pets)
These are built to be soothing. They react to touch, make sounds, show “emotion,” and are designed to feel calming and familiar.

2) Conversation companions (talking helpers)
These aim to chat, answer questions, tell stories, play games, and keep your brain engaged. Think “friendly assistant,” but with more personality and less “I didn’t understand that.”

3) Practical companions (safety + support)
These focus on reminders, check-ins, and sometimes basic monitoring. The idea is less “best buddy” and more “quiet support system.”

If you don’t know which category you want, you can end up buying the tech version of a treadmill that becomes a very expensive clothes hanger.

The part nobody says out loud: “companion” can also mean “subscription” and “spy”

Here’s the thing. Many of these devices rely on:

• microphones (to hear you)
• cameras (to recognize you or interpret your mood)
• cloud services (to do the heavy AI thinking)

That’s not automatically bad. But it does mean:

• Ongoing costs are likely. If the brains live in the cloud"The cloud" refers to storage and services that are accessed over the internet instead of being stor... More, the company will want monthly money.
• Privacy matters more. A device that “lives with you” has access to a lot of your life.
• Reliability depends on the internet. If your Wi-Fi hiccups, your “companion” might suddenly become a very cute paperweight.

How to think about buying this stuff (without getting played)

If you or someone you love is tempted by this category, here are the smartest filters to use:

1) Ask what problem you’re solving

• Comfort?
• Loneliness?
• Memory/routine support?
• Safety and check-ins?

If the product doesn’t clearly serve your goal, it’s just novelty.

2) Ask the blunt question: “Does it work without the internet?”
If the answer is “sort of,” assume:

• it will be limited offline
• it may require subscriptions later
• it may become less useful if the company changes direction

3) Ask where the data goes
If the device has a mic or camera, you deserve a clear, simple explanation of:

• what it records
• what it stores
• what it sends online
• what you can turn off

If the company can’t explain it plainly, that’s not a “you” problem.

4) Don’t buy a demo
CES is famous for shiny prototypes. Some of these companions will be great. Some will quietly vanish in a year like that dusty smart gadget drawer we all pretend we don’t have.

Look for:

• real customer reviews
• clear pricing (not “coming soon”)
• return policy and support
• a company that looks like it plans to exist next year

Our takeaway

This trend is equal parts sweet, strange and scary, which is honestly the most accurate description of modern technology.

At its best, companion tech can bring comfort, structure, and a little joy, especially for older adults who want more daily interaction without adding stress or responsibility.

At its worst, it’s a cute device that listens (and shares) too much, costs too much, and tries to sell you “friendship” as a monthly plan.

So if you try one, aim for an option that makes you feel genuinely happier and connected, not the one that turns your living room into a customer relationship.