Humanoid robots deal cards, grab groceries at CES 2026 | REUTERS

Key Concepts

• Humanoid Robots
• Consumer Electronic Show (CES)
• Autonomous Operation
• Retail Automation
• Warehouse Robotics
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Capabilities
• Dexterity
• Reasoning Ability
• Human-Robot Interaction

Humanoid Robots at CES: An Overview The Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas prominently featured humanoid robots, showcasing their diverse and evolving capabilities. These robots demonstrated a range of functions, from practical tasks like grabbing groceries to more complex interactions such as dealing cards for gamblers. The exhibition highlighted the increasing sophistication of robotics firms in developing machines capable of operating in various real-world environments.

Galbat's Autonomous Retail and Industrial Humanoid Galbat presented a humanoid robot designed for practical applications in retail and industrial settings.

• Specific Applications: This robot is engineered to work in retail stores, efficiently fetching items from shelves. Beyond retail, its capabilities extend to operating in warehouses, factories, and pharmacies.
• Autonomous Operation and Order Fulfillment: Ivon Yuen, Galbat's Head of Overseas Marketing, emphasized the robot's ability to operate "fully autonomously" in these environments. The process for retail operations involves customers placing orders via an app, which the robot then receives and uses to retrieve the specified products. This demonstrates a complete, automated order fulfillment cycle.

Sharper Global's Dexterous Card-Dealing Robot Sharper Global introduced a humanoid robot that brought a unique "Las Vegas flare" to the show by demonstrating its ability to deal cards for a game of blackjack.

• Demonstration and Challenge: The robot was shown picking up a deck of cards and dealing hands, even stating, "I'm going to deal a card to the player on my left." Alicia Venezani, Sharper Global's Global VP, explained that dealing cards is "pretty difficult for a robot." This difficulty stems from the need to manipulate a "flexible and thin" object like a playing card with precision.
• Highlighting AI Capabilities: Dexterity and Reasoning: Venezani highlighted that this demonstration underscores two critical AI capabilities of their robots:
  1. Dexterity: The robot's successful manipulation of a flexible and thin object showcases its advanced dexterity.
  2. Reasoning Ability: Beyond physical manipulation, the robot needs to "think through what's happening in the game and make decisions." This demonstrates its reasoning ability and broader AI capabilities, which are crucial for enabling robots to interact effectively with people and accomplish complex actions in dynamic environments.

Conclusion: Advancements in Humanoid Robotics The humanoid robots showcased at CES underscore significant advancements in the field, moving beyond mere novelty to practical, autonomous applications. Companies like Galbat are deploying robots for efficient, automated tasks in retail and industrial sectors, while firms like Sharper Global are pushing the boundaries of robot dexterity and AI-driven reasoning for complex human-robot interactions. These developments highlight a future where humanoid robots are increasingly integrated into daily life and various industries, performing tasks that require both physical precision and cognitive decision-making.