CES 2023: The Robot Revolution Continues
CES has always been a hotbed of innovation, and this year’s show didn’t disappoint. Robotics was front and center, with everything from humanoid robots to industrial-grade laundry folders making an appearance. As I wandered the floor, I came across some truly stand-out robots that left me wondering what the future holds.
First up, I stumbled upon Sharpa’s ping-pong playing robot. I mean, who doesn’t love a good game of table tennis? The robot was going head-to-head with a human opponent, and while it was losing 5-9, it was clear that this was no ordinary bot. The Sharpa rep told me that their primary product is their robotic hand, which they debuted at CES, showcasing its impressive dexterity.
Next, I made my way to the EngineAI booth, where I found their T800 humanoid robots duking it out in a mock boxing ring. These robots were styled like futuristic fighting machines, and they didn’t disappoint. One of the bots even tripped over its own feet and face-planted on the ground – it was like a scene straight out of a sci-fi movie. Despite the occasional stumble, these robots were eerily humanoid in their movements.
Of course, no CES would be complete without its fair share of dancing robots. Unitree’s humanoid bot was getting down to some serious beats, moving at speeds of up to 11 mph. But amidst the fun and games, I couldn’t help but wonder about the company’s ties to the Chinese military – more on that later.
I also stopped by the Galbot booth, where their sales rep was manning the “comfort store” – a clever setup where customers could use an app to retrieve items from shelves. It was cool to see a bot that could sync up with an app and fetch items based on a user’s request. According to the company’s website, their robots have already been deployed in real-world settings, including Chinese pharmacies.
Then there was Dyna Robotics, showcasing their laundry-folding robots. This has been a core ambition of the robotics community for a while now, and it’s amazing to see how far we’ve come. Their robots can fold laundry and pile it neatly, and they’ve already partnered with resorts, gyms, and factories to deploy their automated folding systems.
Finally, I swung by LG’s booth to check out their new home robot, CLOid. It was cute, but not exactly the speediest bot on the block. If you’re curious about more details, be sure to check out my full review on TechCrunch.
As I left the show floor, I couldn’t help but feel excited about the future of robotics. CES has always been a hub of innovation, and this year’s event was no exception. From humanoid robots to laundry-folding machines, the possibilities are endless. What’s next? Only time will tell, but I’m excited to find out.
