CES 2026 day two highlighted the kind of tech that only clicks once you try it for yourself.<\/b>
\nCES 2026\u2019s second day was all about hands on time with new tech. From Lego\u2019s most ambitious play experiment yet to assistive mobility tech, smart home ideas that actually feel affordable and robots that might one day fold your laundry, here\u2019s what stood out most on January 7.Lego Smart Play
LEGO\u2019s new Smart Play system feels far more compelling in person than it did on stage. The Smart Brick, combined with Smart Tags and Smart Minifigures, responds dynamically to movement, proximity and context, triggering sounds and interactions without screens or apps. Seeing kids physically act out Star Wars battles while the bricks reacted in real time made it clear this is designed first and foremost for active social play, not digital distraction.WheelMove
WheelMove\u2019s motorized wheelchair attachment is compact, surprisingly quick to install and genuinely empowering in action. The add-on lifts a chair\u2019s front wheels and adds powered assistance, making grass, cobblestones and slopes far easier to navigate. After seeing it demonstrated on uneven surfaces, it\u2019s easy to imagine this opening up spaces that would otherwise be exhausting or inaccessible for manual wheelchair users.Throne
Throne\u2019s toilet-mounted health tracker is exactly as strange as it sounds, but it\u2019s also thoughtfully designed. Using computer vision to analyze bowel movements and urination, the device aims to establish a personal baseline and flag changes over time, with gut health and GLP-1 users firmly in mind. It\u2019s too early to judge accuracy, but seeing it in person made it feel less gimmicky and more like a niche wellness tool worth testing.IKEA smart home gear
IKEA\u2019s first CES appearance leaned heavily into what it does best: simple, affordable design. The new Matter-compatible smart home range includes bulbs, plugs, remotes and sensors priced low enough to make smart homes feel accessible again. Standouts like the magnetically mounted BILREA remote and playful TEKLAN lamps showed that IKEA hasn\u2019t sacrificed charm in its push toward interoperability.SwitchBot
SwitchBot\u2019s Onero H1 was one of the most intriguing robots on the show floor because it\u2019s meant to ship this year. The wheeled humanoid robot uses articulated arms and onboard AI to perform household chores, like loading a washing machine, albeit at a deliberate pace. Watching it work made the case that speed matters less than reliability when a robot can handle tasks while you\u2019re not home.Eyebot vision testing
Eyebot\u2019s self-service vision testing kiosk turns a 20-minute optometrist visit into a process that takes just a few minutes. The test is guided by a large touchscreen and reviewed remotely by a licensed eye doctor, striking a balance between automation and oversight. After comparing results with a recent traditional exam, the accuracy felt reassuring, even if it doesn\u2019t replace full eye health screenings.Dephy Sidekick sneakers
Dephy\u2019s Sidekick robotic sneakers deliver a subtle but noticeable boost with each step. The ankle-mounted exoskeleton adapts to your gait, and walking with it feels bouncy rather than overpowering, especially at lower assist levels. It\u2019s not for everyone, but after hours on the CES floor, the idea of powered help for people with limited mobility started to make a lot of sense.Klipsch headphones
Klipsch\u2019s return to headphones starts strong with the Atlas HP-1. The wireless ANC model looks premium, borrows familiar design cues and delivers the brand\u2019s warm, balanced sound in early demos. Pricing is still unknown, but based on build quality and audio alone, these feel positioned firmly at the high end.Clear Drop
Clear Drop\u2019s home plastic compactor tackles a real recycling problem most households face. The machine takes bags and wraps them into dense bricks that can be shipped to partner recycling facilities, and watching it swallow soft plastics was oddly satisfying. It\u2019s expensive and not perfect, but it\u2019s one of the more practical attempts at dealing with waste outside municipal systems.Nosh cooking robot
Nosh is an AI cooking robot designed for low-effort, sauce-heavy meals like soups, curries and pasta. Multiple ingredient trays allow you to prep meals ahead of time, then slide them in when you\u2019re ready to eat. It\u2019s not replacing real cooking anytime soon, but as an alternative to microwaved meals, it\u2019s more appealing than expected.
Day two leaned heavily toward tech you could physically interact with, whether that meant flying Lego ships through the air, watching a robot load laundry or testing a vision exam in a kiosk. With more show-floor time still ahead, we\u2019ll be back with additional hands-ons, impressions and daily recaps as CES 2026 continues.<\/p>\n