Every January, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas sets the tone for the year ahead in global innovation. From AI-powered robots and surgical humanoids to wearable diagnostics and connected health systems, the message was clear: AI and robotics are no longer confined to screens and fantasy, they’re stepping into the physical world.
For anyone involved in medical technology and manufacturing, like Kirkstall Precision and the wider Kaleidex Group, the takeaways from this year weren’t just interesting. They were essential.
This year’s show marked a dramatic shift. AI has gone physical. Robotics are becoming collaborative. Devices are crossing the line between consumer and clinical. And precision manufacturers are in a prime position to shape what comes next. Here’s what CES 2026 showed us:
1. “Physical AI” and Adaptive Robotics Are Here
One of the standout themes from CES 2026 was the rise of physical AI, systems where artificial intelligence is embedded directly into machines, enabling them to perceive, learn, adapt and act autonomously in complex environments.Forget predictable, pre-programmed movements. These are robots that think and react, and they’re entering manufacturing, logistics, and even clinical spaces. Robotics companies like AGIBOT debuted commercial-ready humanoid systems capable of everything from material handling to inspection and research support. Meanwhile, Arm Holdings launched a dedicated Physical AI division, a signal that this isn’t a passing trend, but an industry-level pivot.
2. Boston Dynamics’ Atlas steps out of Sci-Fi and into the factory
One of CES 2026’s headline-grabbers was the next-gen Atlas robot from Boston Dynamics. No longer just a YouTube marvel, the humanoid system is now headed into real industrial deployment, with Hyundai’s Robotics Metaplant Application Center and Google DeepMind among the first recipients. It was so impressive that Atlas won “Best Robot” at CES 2026 from the CNET Group for its agility, industrial relevance and intelligent mobility.Designed for factory environments, Atlas is built to lift, carry, place and interact, complementing human teams in fast-moving, high-precision workflows. For medtech and surgical device manufacturers, this is a huge moment. The leap from dumb automation to collaborative robotics with real-world awareness creates new opportunities for smarter handling of parts, tighter QA processes, and safer workspaces.
3. Surgical Humanoids and AI-Assisted procedures are now real
Among the clinical-focused highlights was the Dynamis Robotic Surgical System from LEM Surgical, a humanoid surgical assistant powered by NVIDIA’s Physical AI platform. Unlike traditional robotic arms that assist in specific movements, these humanoid systems can interpret complex contexts and work dynamically within the operating theatre.
For medtech manufacturers, this raises the bar significantly. The demand is growing for ultra-precise, robot-compatible surgical instruments, components that can perform reliably within AI-guided systems. These devices must now interface seamlessly with embedded AI and sensor platforms, placing a premium on tolerancing, embedded compatibility, and consistent performance.It also signals a deeper shift: manufacturers need to move beyond producing static tools and begin engineering intelligent, connected components, instruments that don’t just perform a task, but become an integrated part of the digital surgical ecosystem.
4. Digital health and wearables are Now clinically meaningful
CES 2026 confirmed it: wearables are no longer just fitness trackers. Today’s devices are delivering real, clinically relevant insights, from gait and mobility analysis to hormonal fluctuations, stress levels and sleep patterns, often outside of clinical settings. And they’re not just informing users, but actively feeding into diagnostics and treatment planning via connected health platforms.
For medtech manufacturers like Kirkstall Precision and the wider Kaleidex Group, this opens up huge potential, and fresh demands. Devices now need miniaturised, high-precision components that are tough enough for daily wear, smart enough to sync wirelessly, and accurate enough for medical-grade data capture. As wearables move closer to clinical devices, the tolerances, traceability and reliability required go up dramatically.
Take gait tracking, for example. With the right accuracy, this data could flag fall risk, predict post-op complications or even delay the need for surgical intervention. That level of impact depends on engineering excellence, and that’s where precision players in this space can lead.
5. Preventive care and longevity are driving demand
One of the biggest shifts coming out of CES 2026 was the rise of technologies focused on preventive care and long-term wellness, from hormone and mobility tracking to chronic condition monitoring for aging populations. The future of healthcare is clearly moving from one-off treatment to always-on support.
For manufacturers like Kirkstall Precision, that shift presents a clear call to action. Devices now need to live with the patient, meaning they must be robust, wearable, connected, and built to medical-grade standards. From fall prevention wearables to home-based diagnostics, every product relies on components that combine accuracy, consistency and compliance at scale.And with aging populations and rising chronic care needs, this isn’t a niche trend, it’s a high-growth space where precision engineering will be a critical enabler.
6. Cross-industry collaboration is accelerating
One of the biggest messages to come out of CES 2026? Tech, healthcare and manufacturing are no longer operating in silos. Whether it was digital health panels or AI forums packed with OEMs, NHS leaders and supply chain innovators, the shared message was clear: the future of medtech is deeply collaborative.
For Kirkstall Precision, and the wider Kaleidex Group, this isn’t new thinking. It’s how they already work. From co-developing early-stage prototypes with startups to aligning production with clinician and end-user needs, they’re not waiting to be handed a spec sheet. They’re part of the innovation cycle, earlier, smarter and more strategically.
CES didn’t just tease the future
CES 2026 wasn’t a hype-fest. It was a reality check. AI is getting physical. Devices are getting smarter. And patients? They’re becoming active users of their own health tech.
For UK medtech manufacturers, the takeaway is simple: this isn’t about catching up. It’s about staying ahead. Building components that don’t just meet the brief, but help define what’s possible.
