At CES Unveiled Europe, held in Amsterdam, Rocking Robots sat down with Kinsey Fabrizio, President of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the organization behind CES. In this exclusive interview Fabrizio shared her insights into the trends that will shape CES 2026 in Las Vegas.
According to Fabrizio, AI and robotics will once again be dominant themes. “We’re seeing amazing innovation coming from Europe — from the Netherlands, France, Germany, and Italy — and we’re very excited to see what’s next at CES 2026,” she said. “AI and robotics will be central themes, both on the enterprise and consumer side.”
CES Foundry: New Home for AI Innovators
A major new initiative for CES 2026 is the CES Foundry, a dedicated space for startups and entrepreneurs developing AI solutions aimed at addressing global challenges. “The Foundry will be home to innovators creating amazing AI technologies that can solve some of the world’s biggest problems,” Fabrizio explained.
The Foundry will also feature quantum technology, though not yet full-scale quantum computers. “They’re still too big for the show floor,” Fabrizio joked, “but we will have companies showing how quantum can be commercialized — from transportation and space to biotech.”
Robotics: From Factory Floor to Family Home
When asked about the role of robotics at CES 2026, Fabrizio highlighted two main directions: industrial robotics and humanoid robots for consumers.
“On the enterprise side, robotics in manufacturing continues to evolve,” she said, referencing Siemens’ digital twin concept, which integrates AI and robotics to create a virtual replica of a manufacturing environment. “We’ll see more of this convergence between physical and digital at CES.”
But it’s the consumer robotics segment that Fabrizio finds particularly exciting. “Humanoid robots in the home — sign me up!” she said with a smile. “Robots that can do your laundry, cook, clean, and learn what your home needs — that’s really where innovation is heading. And we’ll start seeing early examples of these complex home robots at CES.”
CES as a Global Business Platform
While CES is known as a showcase for consumer technology, Fabrizio emphasized that it is also a global business event. “The average attendee has 29 meetings during CES, and the average company closes 15 business deals,” she noted. “It’s about connecting companies, investors, and media from over 160 countries in four days of highly productive engagement.”
In addition to the exhibition, CES 2026 will feature more than 400 conference sessions, addressing not only emerging technologies but also key ethical and regulatory topics. “We’ll have sessions on AI ethics, responsible innovation, and data trust,” Fabrizio confirmed. “Companies will share how they approach these important issues as new technologies enter the market.”
Looking Ahead: Autonomous Cars, Health Tech, and Women’s Innovation
When asked what technologies she personally looks forward to seeing, Fabrizio mentioned autonomous driving, health and wellness tech, and wearables. “I love using autonomous driving services like Waymo,” she said. “As a parent, I’d love to see a solution that could safely take kids to their sports activities. That’s the kind of innovation that really changes lives.”
She also pointed to advancements in health technology, with a growing focus on women’s health. “We’ll have a dedicated section and conference track on women’s health at CES 2026,” Fabrizio said. “It’s an area of innovation that’s rapidly expanding.”
European Innovation in the Spotlight
Fabrizio concluded by emphasizing the importance of European innovation to CES. “Innovation transcends borders,” she said. “Here in Europe — and especially in the Netherlands — we see so many hardworking entrepreneurs and groundbreaking companies. I’m excited to bring them together and showcase what Europe has to offer.”
At CES Unveiled Europe, CTA hosted a pitch competition, with the winner earning a booth at Eureka Park, the startup hub of CES in Las Vegas. “It’s a great way to connect Europe’s innovators with the global stage of CES,” Fabrizio said.
