The annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) will be held from January 7-10, 2025, in Las Vegas, with over 4,500 exhibitors, including 1,400 startups. This exhibition is a true barometer of the consumer electronics industry.

Looking back at last year’s CES, the Rabbit (Rabbit) smart hardware attracted a lot of attention. In 2025, expect even more groundbreaking products to make a splash. According to the CES official website and media reports, there will be a significant increase in products aimed at households and children, and AI companion products will be everywhere. AI glasses, which made their debut last year, will “explode” at CES 2025, becoming a major highlight.

The Future of Consumer Electronics

According to the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the sales of consumer electronics will reach $537 billion in 2025, with a 3.2% year-over-year growth. Hardware sales are expected to grow by 2.6%, reaching $353 billion, while software and services will increase by 4.6%, reaching $184 billion.

Brian Komisky, CTA’s senior director, pointed out that the rapid development of AI technology will have a positive impact on the consumer electronics market. He predicts that smartphones, laptops, smart TVs, smart glasses, and even automobiles will experience a “technology upgrade cycle” thanks to AI. The CTA also emphasized the importance of smart homes, stating that “80% of American consumers believe smart homes are a key solution to the aging population.”

In addition to home entertainment and tech hardware, an increasing number of educational technology products are being showcased. For example, TAL Education Group, returning for its second year at CES, displayed its Xueerxi learning machine, which integrates an AI assistant and a Jiuzhang model (MathGPT), showing the quiet yet rapid growth of AI in the education sector.

01.Explosion of Companion Robots

Wallet Fairy Mirumi

Japanese startup Yukai Engineering launched a new small robot called “Wallet Fairy” — Mirumi. This furry little robot can be attached to the handle or strap of a bag, and its only movement is rotating its head. It doesn’t interact with people verbally, but it scans the surrounding environment using built-in sensors and focuses its attention on interesting people or objects. Inspired by the joyful emotional connection people have when making eye contact with babies in public places, Yukai Engineering CEO Shunsuke Aoki said, “Mirumi brings a little warmth and smile to everyone around you, sharing joy with others.”

The Cat That Blows on Coffee: Nékojita FuFu

Another product from Yukai Engineering, Nékojita FuFu, is a small cat robot that can be attached to a coffee cup or soup bowl. It blows air to help cool the food or drink to the desired temperature. The built-in fan blows air at a random rhythm, mimicking human breathing. The strength and interval of the air are varied, even mimicking a “princess-like” gentle breath. Nékojita FuFu is priced at around $25, following the “cute pet” route, though it doesn’t speak, its presence is sure to attract attention and affection wherever it goes.

Ropet Companion Robot

Ropet, a machine pet from China, particularly enjoys being petted on its furry skin. The robot is the first product launched by Mengyou Intelligence, founded by He Jiabin, the former head of the PICO design team at ByteDance. Ropet comes with interchangeable fur and accessories, and can recognize food, even dancing to the rhythm of music. It can interact with its owner and engage in AI dialogue when connected to Wi-Fi, showcasing its powerful social capabilities.

Romy Conversational Robot

Japanese company Mixi launched Romy, a more “human-like” companion robot. Shaped like a water droplet, it has large eyes and can interact with people through over 150 facial expressions and movements. Romy can sing, answer questions, and uses OpenAI’s GPT-4 to help users solve complex problems. Whether accompanying lonely elderly people or families without pets, Romy can become a member of their lives.

Ai Me: Modular AI Companion Robot

TCL unveiled Ai Me, a conceptual companion robot. Though TCL did not reveal many details, the robot’s head-mounted camera can record videos or use AI to recognize objects. Ai Me can also pair with a small electric chair to navigate around the home. It represents the future trend of robots—modular, customizable, and intelligent.

Tombot’s Jennie: Robotic Pet Dog

Tombot showcased their next-generation robotic pet dog, Jennie, a fully automated labrador puppy. Designed for elderly, children, and people with cognitive disorders, it aims to provide emotional comfort and support. It’s expected to begin deliveries in 2025 and has already received over 7,000 pre-orders.

Ballie Rolling Robot

Samsung Electronics continued to showcase their Ballie rolling robot at CES 2025. Ballie, equipped with wheels, sensors, and a front projector, can move freely around the home, creating interactive experiences. It can play movies, games, and even project screens on various surfaces. This brings AI into home entertainment and everyday life, furthering the idea of “AI everywhere.”

ElliQ: Companion Robot for the Elderly

Intuition Robotics’ ElliQ is a companion robot designed specifically for elderly people living alone. It’s not just a voice assistant; it’s a proactive, emotional companion that encourages seniors to interact and engage. ElliQ also offers health monitoring, entertainment, and social support, bringing more care into the daily lives of the elderly.

Miroka Social Robot

Miroka, a social robot from Enchanted Tools, resembles a small dog and is about the size of a child. It can not only do household chores but also interact and converse with humans. Its cute appearance and functionality make it an ideal companion for families and children.

Mi-Mo: A Combination of Walking Stool and Lamp

Jizai’s Mi-Mo resembles a Pixar-style robot, looking like a wooden stool with a lamp for a head. Mi-Mo can move and perform tasks, and it can also serve as a communication and workflow optimization tool for patients and medical staff in hospitals and homes.

02.Increasing Number of Educational Tech Products

Xueerxi Learning Machine

TAL Education Group showcased its learning machine with the Jiuzhang model (MathGPT), a benchmark for AI in China’s education sector. The Jiuzhang model can automatically solve problems, grade complex application questions, and provide personalized AI step-by-step explanations, among other features.

Youdao AI Dictionary Pen

Youdao presented its AI Dictionary Pen X7 series, equipped with an AI camera and the “Zi Yue” education model, offering students smart learning assistance, composition correction, translation, and more. This is a significant upgrade of Youdao’s original dictionary pen, combining AI and large models to provide more comprehensive support for learners.

Ling Universe Ling: AI Education Solution

Ling Universe’s new product, Ling, uses advanced spatial intelligence and multimodal interaction to help children learn and grow through exploration, questioning, and creativity. It integrates native AIGC applications and provides an AI-driven world full of interaction and learning experiences in the context of family-oriented consumer robots.

03.Explosion of AI Glasses

CES 2025 also saw an “explosion” of AI glasses. Multiple companies unveiled AI glasses, showcasing different technologies and functionalities.

Halliday AI Smart Glasses

Halliday, a Chinese startup, launched highly anticipated AI smart glasses. These glasses are not only stylish but also feature a Digi Window micro-display, allowing users to access real-time information during meetings and take meeting notes. They can also seamlessly integrate with smartphones and tablets for an enhanced experience.

XREAL AR Glasses

Chinese company XREAL unveiled its new XREAL One Pro AR glasses, which have improved display capabilities and can connect with MacBooks, PCs, iPads, and other devices to project screens. These glasses represent the future of AR and AI, with more immersive user experiences.