Brew, smell, serve: AI takes center stage at CES 2026
LAS VEGAS, January 10, 2026 (BSS/AFP) – AI is taking over CES 2026, powering coffee machines that make the perfect espresso, machines that create the perfect aroma, and tennis robots that hit balls that make you forget it's man versus machine.
– Alexa, make espresso –
German group Bosch has announced new features for its 800 series of fully automatic coffee machines (starting at $1,700) that can be synchronized with Amazon's Alexa voice assistant.
After a short night's sleep, users can order a double espresso with just a voice command and the coffee maker will deliver it for them. There are approximately 35 espresso options available.
“We were one of the first manufacturers to really tackle AI,” explains Bosch spokesperson Andrew de Lara.
The 100-year-old company, located at the higher end of the U.S. market, hopes to gradually bring AI into the kitchen, especially through its Home Connect mobile app, which already allows users to control multiple home appliances remotely.
~The scent of AI~
South Korean company Digital Cent has developed a machine that creates personalized scents based on mood and preferences, and is already available at some airports.
Select your preference and a fragrance will be released that will give you an idea of the final result. You can make adjustments before making your final decision.
Once your order is placed, the machine uses AI to select from over 1,150 combinations to create a virtually unique scent in seconds.
The fragrance comes in a small, portable vial and costs between $3 and $4, a spokesperson said.
– Games, Sets, AI –
Several startups have unveiled a new generation of ball machines powered by artificial intelligence.
Singapore-based Sharpa already offers a convincing humanoid table tennis robot with a reaction time of just two-hundredths of a second, but there is no equivalent on the market for tennis.
A few days ago, China's UBTech posted a video online of its Walker S2 robot rallying with humans, but it was slow and there was no real movement.
UBTech's robots are designed for industrial use, not tennis courts, and this video was likely produced solely to demonstrate the Walker S2's agility to attract corporate customers.
While we wait for a humanoid robot that can play net volley, another Chinese company, Tenniix, is selling a robot that can hit a ball at speeds of up to 75 miles per hour (120.7 kilometers per hour).
He launches 10 different types of shots, including shots with spin and lobs that reach a height of 8 meters.
The basic version, which can hold up to 100 balls, costs $699, while the most complete version costs $1,600 and includes a camera and movable wheels.
This high-speed machine uses AI to analyze the trajectory of a crosscourt forehand and fires the ball from the position where a realistic return shot is most likely to come, giving players the impression of a real rally.
Tenniix spokesperson Run Kai Huang says, “There's a real rhythm, like you're playing with a real person.”
