My Top Takeaways from CES 2026: The Grid is Finally Everywhere

maktinta
Jan 13
3 min read

Updated: Jan 15

Takeaways from CES 2026: The Grid is Finally Everywhere

I’ve just wrapped up my time at CES 2026, and if I had to summarize the entire event in one sentence, it would be this: The future isn't just about better batteries, it’s about generating power everywhere.

Walking the floor in Las Vegas this week, the shift was palpable. We are moving away from a world where we hunt for outlets and toward one where our cars, windows, and devices are the power source.

Here are the innovations that stood out to me most:

THE EV REVOLUTION at CES 2026

Solar Bodies & Solid State Standing in the mobility hall, the focus wasn't just on speed anymore; it was on self-sufficiency.

Hyundai Solarstic (My Personal Highlight): Seeing this in person was a game-changer. Hyundai has ditched the bulky add-on panels for a polymer-based tech that integrates seamlessly into the hood, roof, and doors. They told me it generates up to 500W, potentially adding 80 km (50 miles) of range daily while driving.
Solid-State is Real: I stopped by Verge Motorcycles and Donut Lab, both of whom were showcasing "production-ready" solid-state batteries. The safety and range implications here are massive.
In-Wheel Motors: The Longbow Motors concept was fascinating, by moving motors inside the wheels, they’ve opened up the cabin to look more like a lounge than a car.
Wireless Charging Roads: This was a huge topic of conversation. Based on the pilots discussed in Florida, "charge-as-you-drive" infrastructure feels closer than ever.
V2G Maturity: Bidirectional charging is no longer just a concept; seeing EVs officially treated as mobile power stations for home backup was impressive.

SOLAR & ENERGY HARVESTING at CES 2026

The energy section felt less like "tech" and more like "magic."

Jackery Solar Mars Bot: I watched this autonomous robot navigate a demo area to "chase" the sun. It ensures 100% capture efficiency without you lifting a finger.
Panasonic Perovskite Glass: This is the dream of transparent solar realized. It effectively turns skyscrapers into vertical power plants.
Exeger Powerfoyle: I handled headphones wrapped in this material: it’s flexible, printable, and could finally kill the disposable battery market.
Dracula Technologies: One of the cooler demos, harvesting indoor light (down to 5 lux) to keep IoT sensors running indefinitely.

INDUSTRIAL, DIGITAL TWINS & WIND at CES 2026

Siemens Digital Twin Composer: The demo with PepsiCo was mind-blowing. Siemens showed how they can simulate an entire factory floor with physics-based accuracy, catching 90% of sustainability issues before a physical machine is even built.
Nvidia Digital Data Center Twin: Building on that theme, Nvidia’s showcase was equally impressive. They revealed a completely free tool that allows designers to build a digital twin of a data center. It comes pre-loaded with all the necessary libraries, letting you stress-test the entire facility virtually before you ever lay a single brick.
Airloom Energy: It was refreshing to see wind power that doesn't require massive turbines. Their track-based "wing" design is 50% cheaper and shippable in a standard truck.
GeoWind GW1200: A smart solution for cities, a honeycomb vertical turbine designed specifically to handle turbulent urban winds.

My Takeaway: Leaving the show, I feel optimistic. The technology is no longer just about consumption; it's about integration.