If you were at CES 2026, you already know how over-the-top it was. With dozens of halls, locations, and events, it’s a lot to take in. The Under the Hard Hat team had the opportunity to visit the show, and we’ve distilled the top tech trends across the board, including physical AI, robotics, and biohacking. Here’s what each trend looks like, and what it means for the broader AEC space.
1. Physical AI
You know how AI works in a software capacity. We’re talking AI chatbots, BIM systems, and even accounting platforms. But at CES, we saw physical AI-powered… everything. There are AI-powered combines for more effective farming, manufacturing machines for better assembly-line production, AI glasses and mirrors to monitor your health and wellness, and even AI faux puppies and kittens to act as companions when you’re feeling down.
For many, AI isn’t just a strategy for big-picture software to become more effective; it’s a way for humans to optimize themselves, from managing their health to emotions to productivity on site. We don’t expect everyone to need to wear AI glasses on the construction site tomorrow, but more physical AI to work smarter and manage health is a net positive long term.
2. Practical smart home automation
Optimizing the way you work and take care of yourself is trendy, but so is doing the same for your home. CES saw smart toilets that analyze urine for health and hydration, new Ring sensors that work without connecting to a hub or Wi-FI, and even Roomba-type vacuums with expanding “legs” so they can navigate stairs.
For builders, this means we could see demand for new construction that’s more conducive to smart home automation. Homeowners are looking for their homes to do more without oversight, provide them with health and performance data, and improve eco-friendliness and security without the learning curve.
3. Autonomous vehicles
CES show-goers got to see seemingly endless examples of autonomous vehicles (AVs) at the convention, but also outside on the strip. Amazon’s Zoox already has autonomous cars on the Vegas Strip and a booth at the show. Attendees also saw innovations from Waymo, Imagery, and Kubota, which are at various stages of deploying their autonomous vehicles on roads and farms.
The competition between AV companies continues to heat up, particularly as public acceptance continues on the upswing. Still, each company will have to contend with new road conditions, jurisdiction regulations, and high costs.
4. Biohacking and exoskeletons
Biohacking has been an emerging trend in recent years, but it was presented on a whole new level at CES. Biohacking isn’t just about optimizing health; it’s also about improving your physical performance, endurance, and lifespan.
On the tradeshow floor, products like exoskeletons, a hardware that straps to the body to elevate and assist movement, really shone. These systems could be a game-changer for those doing prolonged physical labor throughout their careers. Exoskeletons take weight off joints like the hips, knees, and ankles, making repeated movements, twisting, and lifting easier for anyone. Some exoskeletons even improve your stride, making speedwalking or running easier for those in a hurry.
5. Robotics
When it comes to tech trends that elicit immediate excitement, it’s hard not to think about the advancements in robotics. Most notable was Boston Dynamics’ Atlas, the industrial-scale humanoid demonstrated at the Hyundai keynote. Atlas can lift, pivot, run, twist, and handle repetitive tasks, which could help fill labor gaps and address the broader labor shortage.
CES saw over 160 robots performing a range of tasks similar to Atlas, from humanoids designed for supply chain floors to home-cleaning robots that tidy, vacuum, and perform other chore-based tasks. In industrial applications, robotics can make waves in terms of productivity as early as today. However, we suspect it will still be a few years before we see them as common additions to people’s homes.
6. Modular construction equipment
At CES, modular equipment innovation meant leaning into autonomous tech, electrification, and AI integration, all in a do-it-all design. Construction equipment heavyweights Doosan Bobcat and Kubota were among the more prominent companies in this space, with concepts such as the RogueX3 and KVPR.
These machines are cab-optional and can complete tasks from a variety of machines, all on one vehicle, thanks to interchangeable wheels, arms, and tracks. These innovations allow companies to do more with less equipment and fewer on-site operators, effectively keeping up with demand without having to address the skilled labor shortage.
What the future of tech could look like
With advancements in current and emerging technologies moving faster than ever, we can expect to see that taken even further. We suspect today’s semi-autonomous machines will become fully autonomous, and single-use-case machines will be a thing of the past. AI will continue to power the digital and the physical, and biohacking will continue to assist, and maybe even strengthen, the abilities of the average worker.
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