As the buzz of CES 2026 in Las Vegas fades, the global technology industry has once again completed a collective look toward the future. Unsurprisingly, artificial intelligence (AI) and embodied robotics continued to dominate the main stage. Yet when attention shifts away from eye-catching concept prototypes to real-world applications, a deeper undercurrent becomes clear: the technological dividends of AI and robotics are reshaping the underlying logic of consumer electronics.

Particularly in the fields of cleaning appliances and health and hygiene equipment, technology is no longer focused solely on stacking up specifications. Instead, it is beginning to truly understand people. The strongest signal from CES 2026 is that technology is becoming not only smarter, but also more empathetic. This “genuine human-centred approach” is reflected in the transition from merely “using devices” to “enjoying services”—making cleaning visible and health protection seamless and unobtrusive.

Perceivable Cleaning: Closing the Trust Loop and Evolving Form Factors

In recent years, the cleaning appliance market has often fallen into cycles of competing on parameter values, such as suction power or rotational speed. At CES 2026, however, the industry clearly revealed a new competitive dimension: visibility of results and multi-modal operation.

Taking robotic vacuum cleaners as an example, this year’s breakthroughs go beyond navigation and obstacle avoidance. The focus has shifted toward building a “trust loop” between users and machines. Leading brands such as Roborock and Dreame showcased next-generation flagship models equipped with higher-precision sensor modules. Some products can not only identify floor materials, but also attempt to quantify levels of dirt through algorithms. What users see on screens or mobile apps is no longer just a movement path, but more intuitive cleanliness heat maps or cleaning reports. This evolution directly addresses a long-standing user concern: “Has it really cleaned properly?”

At the same time, to address complex household edge cases, a degree of near-biological adaptability in hardware form factors has begun to emerge in high-end products. At the show, models from brands such as Dreame demonstrated more mature implementations of telescopic mechanical arms and morphable chassis structures. These machines can physically adjust their form based on the geometry of the furniture, enabling more precise coverage in non-standard environments.

This trend is also extending into kitchen cleaning appliances. New-generation food ingredient purification and cleaning devices are shifting away from single-mode mechanical agitation toward more comprehensive, multi-mode cleaning and detection capabilities. We observed that some manufacturers are experimenting with built-in sensors to monitor water conditions, using intuitive lighting cues or data feedback to indicate cleaning progress. By transforming the abstract idea of “clean” into visual confirmation, these technologies mark a shift from simply “doing the work for people” to “giving people peace of mind.”

Invisible Protection: Modular Disinfection and Seamless Integration

Unlike the visible evolution of cleaning appliances, the disinfection and health devices at CES 2026 showed a clear trend toward invisibility. Standalone products such as disinfection cabinets and UV air sterilization purifier are becoming less prominent, replaced by the widespread adoption of sterilization functions' modular integration and unobtrusive care.

The industry is moving away from the “panic-driven sterilization” mindset of the pandemic era toward normalized “micro-environment management,” a shift that is especially evident in the ecosystem strategies of global appliance leaders.

• Samsung, within its Bespoke AI lineup, demonstrated how disinfection functions can be embedded as core modules and quietly integrated into garment care and air management systems. Disinfection is no longer highlighted as a standalone selling point, but operates as an integral part of a broader smart ecosystem.

• LG, through its PuriCare-related solutions, showcased deeper levels of integration. Its new-generation water purification and air management devices attempt to incorporate intelligent fluid sterilization modules that dynamically adjust operation based on environmental feedback.

These devices rely on high-sensitivity sensors to monitor environmental parameters and automatically activate purification or care programs without user awareness. This shift reflects a more mature consumer mindset: users no longer want a “disinfection machine” that constantly reminds them of germs, but rather an invisible shield that operates quietly in the background to maintain a healthy living environment. Health technology is becoming foundational infrastructure within the smart home—gentler, quieter, and more seamlessly integrated.

Redefining Supply Chain Value and Industry Outlook

CES 2026 highlights not only innovation at the product level, but also deeper structural changes within the global electronics supply chain. Traditional OEM/ODM manufacturers are undergoing a fundamental transformation. They are no longer merely centers for cost control and capacity, but are increasingly becoming sources of technical solutions.

At this year’s show, many upstream OEM/ODM/EMS manufacturing companies presented highly mature modular solutions—from high-precision visual recognition modules to miniaturized fluid control units. By strengthening early-stage R&D capabilities, these suppliers are forming closer JDM (Joint Design and Manufacturing) relationships with brands. This collaboration model accelerates the transition of advanced technologies from the lab to mass production, collectively building a more diverse and responsive consumer electronics ecosystem.

Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, the cleaning and health sectors will move decisively beyond purely functional competition. Those who can establish stronger user trust through visualization technologies and deliver more comfortable health experiences through seamless design will shape the next market cycle. The ultimate form of technology is quiet and unobtrusive—and that is the direction CES 2026 clearly points toward.