AI moves into the real world as companion robots and pets

Uncanny valley meets Bichon Frisé.

Artificial intelligence doesn't always want to optimize your life or steal your job. Sometimes, AI just wants to be your friend. And while robot pets weren't the biggest stars of CES 2026, they've become more than just noise and are signaling how AI is apparently leaving our screens and taking on a physical presence in our lives.

To be clear, there's no shortage of purpose-built machines on display in Las Vegas: there's Samsung's voice-controlled refrigerator...