# CES 2026 robotics recap;  2026 predictions

- Show: [The Robot Report Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast)
- Published: 2026-01-13
- Length: 1h 12m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-01-13-ces-2026-robotics-recap-2026-predictions
- Listen: https://soundcloud.com/robot-report-podcast/ces-2026-robotics-recap-2026-predictions

## Summary

Steve Crow and Mike Oitzman recap CES 2026, highlighting Boston Dynamics' first public demo of the Atlas humanoid robot and its new partnership with Google DeepMind. They discuss the industry's skepticism regarding humanoid readiness, contrasting Boston Dynamics' pragmatic approach with the hype surrounding other companies like Unitree and Engine AI. The episode also covers major acquisitions in the sector, including Mobileye's purchase of Mentee Robotics and Amazon's acquisition of RightBot, while featuring predictions from Chris Matthieu of RealSense and Ahti Heinla of Starship on the rise of physical AI and large-scale robot deployments.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-01-13-ces-2026-robotics-recap-2026-predictions#t=8) Introduction and CES Overview
- [5:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-01-13-ces-2026-robotics-recap-2026-predictions#t=322) Chris Matthieu on Physical AI and Spatial Awareness
- [9:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-01-13-ces-2026-robotics-recap-2026-predictions#t=544) Boston Dynamics Atlas Public Debut and Teleoperation
- [23:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-01-13-ces-2026-robotics-recap-2026-predictions#t=1426) Atlas V3 Design for Manufacturability and Repairability
- [28:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-01-13-ces-2026-robotics-recap-2026-predictions#t=1686) Humanoid Reliability, Safety, and AI Hallucinations
- [36:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-01-13-ces-2026-robotics-recap-2026-predictions#t=2215) Other CES Highlights: Diner Robotics and Polymath
- [52:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-01-13-ces-2026-robotics-recap-2026-predictions#t=3156) Ahti Heinla on Starship's Scaling and Expansion
- [55:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-01-13-ces-2026-robotics-recap-2026-predictions#t=3325) Mobileye Acquires Mentee Robotics
- [1:03:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-01-13-ces-2026-robotics-recap-2026-predictions#t=3783) Oshkosh Acquires Canvas and Amazon Buys RightBot

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises, early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Boston Dynamics (company)
- Atlas (product)
- Google DeepMind (company)
- Unitree (company)
- Engine AI (company)
- Mentee Robotics (company)
- Mobileye (company)
- Oshkosh (company)
- Canvas (company)
- Amazon (company)
- RightBot (company)
- Starship (company)
- RealSense (company)
- Diner Robotics (company)
- Polymath Robotics (company)
- Slip Robotics (company)
- Pickle Robotics (company)
- Waymo (company)
- Qualcomm (company)
- Light AI (company)

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- [191: The State of Robotics: Live From the 2024 Robotics Summit & Expo in Boston, MA](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-06-25-191-the-state-of-robotics-live-from-the-2024-robotics-summit-expo-in-boston-ma) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
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