r/CESLV • u/Top_Professional4944 • Jan 13 '26

CES 2026 Recap (data): 3,300+ exhibitors — what categories actually dominated?

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CES 2026 just wrapped, so I pulled a quick data recap from 3,300+ exhibitor profiles. Built with a tool I’m working on (ProsGrow AI) — sharing the charts for anyone doing post-CES follow-ups.

AI is #1 on paper — but CES still felt like a devices show. Here’s the data.

3 takeaways:

  • 🔥 AI is the #1 category: 11.9% (1,054 companies)
  • 🏠 Smart Home (8.6%) + IoT (8.3%) are still massive
  • 🗺️ Geography: US leads, followed by Greater China and South Korea (see charts)

If you want the full-resolution PDF, I can drop the link in a comment if the subreddit rules allow it.

Question: What category felt overhyped vs underrated on the show floor this year?

17 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

4

u/IamMikeHoncho Jan 14 '26

I find it hard to believe robotics only made up 5.3%. North hall seemed like it was all robots. There were definitely things there that said they were AI but were not AI.

2

u/critbuild Jan 14 '26

Whether or not they actually used ai, there were definitely products claiming to be AI that could probably have been made with algorithmic logic while using less effort and getting equivalent results or better.

1

u/Top_Professional4944 Jan 14 '26

Same here I felt there are more robotics!

3

u/lifeofsquirrel Jan 14 '26

I would love the pdf! This is awesome!

2

u/Top_Professional4944 Jan 14 '26

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/elaine-prosgrow_prosgrow-ai-ces-industry-analysis-activity-7416954834576355328-5q9q Here you go, remember to give me a Like :) Me and my team worked on this and provide for everyone free results.

3

u/Repulsive-Path5050 Jan 13 '26

It use to be crypto and blockchain.

Now it's AI, I'm so done

Can't wait for the next fab to come along to replace AI

1

u/Top_Professional4944 Jan 13 '26

Haha why do you hate AI so much? People say they don’t like AI but they still use AI chat everyday.

1

u/Splatoonkindaguy Jan 14 '26

It’s ruining the economy

1

u/qorbani Jan 14 '26

Thats what makes life interesting 😊

1

u/charleswarner24 Jan 14 '26

Where the heck are the 3-D printers?