AI companion pattern dominates CES 2026. AI companion toys took heart stage at CES 2026, with Chinese language enterprises accounting for over 80% of the 60 collaborating firms. This surging class focuses on gadgets designed to study consumer habits and supply a long-term emotional connection.
For 27-year-old Nancy Liu, who sleeps beside a heat, respiration AI machine, the influence is private. “It appears like one thing is ready for me,” she mentioned. “Not judging, not speeding—simply there.”
A notable merchandise wasSweekar,” launched because the world’s first AI pocket pet that bodily grows. Developed by the Shenzhen startup Takway.AI, this small, palm-sized machine goes via bodily life levels—egg, child, teen, and grownup—and even feels heat and seems to breathe to make it extra lifelike.
“This bodily progress unfolds in sync with the AI companion’s emotional improvement,” mentioned Takway CEO Irving Gao. The product is anticipated to launch through crowdfunding this spring, priced between $150 and $200.
The marketplace for these gadgets is flourishing. Knowledge from Taobao exhibits AI toy transactions jumped 1,600% in 2025. On JD.com, gross sales reached almost 700 million yuan ($100 million).
“AI-powered toys have clear potential as a brand new driver of consumption,” mentioned Jiang Han, a senior analyst at Pangoal. He famous that the market spans youngsters, Gen Z, and the aged.
The marketplace for emotional AI is clearly separate amongst older folks, younger adults, and youngsters. This makes it a serious space for the tech business to develop, says Jiang.
For instance, JD.com sells a “chatty parrot” robotic for seniors. It prices 159 yuan, speaks in numerous native languages, and reminds them about their well being. Individually, the gentle toy “Fuzozo,” from Shanghai’s Robopoet, is for youthful folks. It was a high vendor in the course of the Double 11 procuring occasion as a result of it could purr.
