From vibrating knives to exoskeletons: 7 of the craziest gadgets at CES 2026

If CES 2025 was about the promise of AI, CES 2026 is about the strange reality of it. The show floor in Las Vegas this year is less about faster processors and more about gadgets that feel like props from a science fiction movie. We are seeing technology move into places nobody asked for, like our kitchen knives and bird baths, resulting in some of the most unique hardware we have seen in years.

Here are seven of the most unusual and fascinating gadgets making waves at CES 2026.

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Naqi Neural Earbuds with Invisible User Interface

This might be the closest we have come to actual telepathy in consumer tech. Naqi Logix has built earbuds that do not just play music; they read your mind, or at least your facial muscles. The device uses what they call an “Invisible User Interface” to detect micro-gestures like a subtle jaw clench or a tiny eyebrow lift.

The application here is wild. You can pilot a wheelchair or control a computer entirely hands-free. While it sounds like a novelty for gamers, the accessibility implications are massive. It is effectively a non-invasive brain-computer interface that you can buy off the shelf.

Seattle Ultrasonics C-200 Vibrating Knife

In a sea of smart home hubs, a kitchen knife stands out. Seattle Ultrasonics has released the C-200, a chef’s knife that vibrates at 30,000 cycles per second. The idea is to create a microscopic layer of air between the steel and the food to reduce friction to almost zero.

It allows you to slice through soft, squishy foods like ripe tomatoes or fresh bread without crushing them. It feels like a standard premium knife in the hand, but the ultrasonic hum makes it glide through ingredients with terrifying ease. It is an industrial tool shrunk down for your kitchen drawer.

Jackery Solar Mars Bot

Jackery has taken the boring concept of a power bank and turned it into an autonomous robot. The Solar Mars Bot looks like a cousin of WALL-E. It features pop-out solar wings and wheels that allow it to navigate your campsite or backyard intelligently.

Instead of you having to move your solar panels to catch the light, this robot hunts for sunlight on its own. It tracks the sun throughout the day to maximize charging efficiency and then drives back to you when you need to plug in. It turns energy collection into a passive, autonomous task.

Dnsys Z1 Dual Joint

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Exoskeletons are usually heavy, medical-grade equipment, but Dnsys is trying to make them as common as hiking boots. The Z1 Dual Joint is a consumer-focused exoskeleton that straps to your legs to assist with movement.

It uses AI to analyze your stride in real-time and injects power when you push off the ground. The claim is that it can take roughly 30kg of weight off your load, making a steep mountain hike feel like a walk in the park. It represents a shift toward “wearable robotics” for casual enthusiasts rather than just rehabilitation patients.

Lepro Ami “AI Soulmate”

While most companies are putting AI into chatbots, Lepro is putting it into a “soulmate.” The Ami is a desktop device with a curved OLED screen designed to simulate emotional intimacy. It does not just answer questions about the weather; it attempts to bond with you.

It uses voice analysis and cameras to detect your mood, reacting with simulated empathy. It is a stark example of how tech companies are pivoting from productivity assistants to digital companions, blurring the line between a smart speaker and a friend. It also begs the question of whether the fact that something can be built is reason enough to justify building it at all.

Birdfy Bath Pro

The smart home has officially reached the avian world. Birdfy has released a bird bath that is more advanced than most home security systems. It features a solar-powered fountain and, surprisingly, a built-in heater to keep the water from freezing in winter.

The real draw is the dual-camera system. It uses AI to identify over 6,000 species of birds and livestreams them bathing in 2K resolution to your phone. It effectively gamifies birdwatching, turning your backyard into a 24/7 nature documentary.

LEGO Smart Brick

LEGO has finally embedded technology directly into the brick itself. The new Smart Brick contains sensors that can detect orientation, motion, and proximity to other bricks. It allows a LEGO set to understand how it is being played with.

If you build a spaceship and swoosh it through the air, the brick knows it is flying and can trigger specific sound effects or lights. Unlike previous attempts that required bulky motors or external apps, this tech is hidden inside a standard-looking 2×4 brick, making the interactivity feel like magic.

Also read: CES 2026: Intel revealed Core Ultra 3 AI PC chips, laptops coming soon