CES 2026 robots were wild, silly, and sometimes disappointing but there was one that restored my faith in robotics

CES 2026 showcased dozens of humanoid robots performing tasks from laundry folding to playing games, but most proved gimmicky or unreliable, with many failing at basic functions or requiring remote operation. Boston Dynamics' Atlas stood out dramatically, effortlessly rising from awkward positions and demonstrating genuine autonomous capabilities built for real-world factory work rather than showmanship. While other robots disappointed with clunky movements and teleoperation dependencies, Atlas represents the current pinnacle of humanoid robotics technology.