After years of chatbots and image generators, AI is finally leaving the screen. At CES 2026, that shift became impossible to ignore.
The annual tech showcase in Las Vegas was dominated by “physical AI” and robotics, from Boston Dynamic’s newly redesigned Atlas humanoid robot to AI-powered ice makers (yes, really). The companies in attendance clearly want consumers to know: AI isn’t just capable of answering questions anymore. It’s ready to movecar parts in factories, catchcatching drones with net guns, and dance in automaker booths.
Today on TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, hosts Kirsten Korosec, Anthony Ha, and Sean O’Kane break down everything we saw at CES 2026 and more deals from the week that caught our eye.
Chapters:
00:00 – Intro
00:38 – Discord’s surprise IPO filing
03:24 – xAI’s $20B raise amid CSAM controversy
11:06 – Mobileye’s pivot to humanoid robotics
14:41 – Physical AI takes over CES
18:31 – Why humanoid robots still don’t make sense
24:26 – OpenAI’s war on screens and ambient computing
29:56 – Wrap-up
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