Where’s Rosey? CES Tech Show Breaks Ground But Home Robots Remain Elusive

Every January, Greg Swan walks through the bustling CES technology show in Las Vegas, navigating hundreds of booths filled with innovative gadgets and devices. Despite his annual visits, he has yet to encounter Rosey the Robot from the beloved cartoon "The Jetsons" or a real-life version of such an advanced home robot. Instead, he predominantly comes across various robot vacuums.

Greg, a senior partner at FINN Partners based in Minneapolis, reflects on the arrival of the Roomba in 2002, a robot vacuum that offered a glimpse of potential domestic automation. However, he recalls that it struggled with tasks like navigating stairs and wasn't very efficient.

Fast forward twenty years, Greg notes a significant increase in robot vacuum options at CES. "We have robots that can navigate stairs and some that are equipped with arms to pick up obstacles in their paths," he states. Nevertheless, he expresses disappointment that these advancements don't bring us closer to having robots that can take on cooking, cleaning, or childcare tasks as envisioned with Rosey.

Initially, Greg was unsure why he joined CES, and even after several events, he still finds it challenging to define. "The interesting thing about CES is that it doesn't always provide clear next steps for action. It’s more about identifying trends over time, often months or years later," he explains.

Trend Hunting

Over the years, Greg has developed a knack for detecting long-term tech trends, making his annual CES visits fruitful. He walks around the extensive exhibition halls, covering about 12 miles in a single day, absorbing various products displayed by different companies.

His observations are valuable to FINN Partners and their clients as he compiles trend reports which help his team understand the market landscape better. According to the Consumer Technology Association, the latest CES saw over 141,000 attendees, up from 138,000 in the previous year, and featured around 4,500 exhibitors across a massive exhibition floor.

"CES is primarily a hardware showcase, presenting a wide array of gadgets. Sometimes you can't help but wonder why certain innovations are even necessary," Greg remarks.

He cites the evolution of smart rings, which initially were large and cumbersome but have improved significantly over time. “I’m now wearing a smart ring, the Oura, which showcases the advancement in this category,” he adds.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence

This year's prominent theme at CES was artificial intelligence (AI). Unlike previous years when AI was more of a novelty, 2025 saw its practical integration into everyday products. Greg highlights a few notable innovations, such as the WeWalk smart cane, which aids visually impaired individuals by providing navigation assistance, and Samsung TVs that offer real-time translations and text summaries.

While Greg generally prefers to explore CES independently, he enjoys organizing "stranger dinners" where he can compare notes with fellow attendees. Such interactions often lead to discovering innovative products like a robotic eye exam kiosk that can analyze users' eyesight and provide prescriptions.

However, Greg encountered some practicality issues when he tried using the device without his glasses, bringing to light the challenges associated with implementing such technology.

Key Themes from CES 2025

Based on his observations, Greg identifies five primary themes from CES 2025:

• AI is Everywhere: Practical AI applications are becoming commonplace, enhancing smart devices from TVs to home appliances.
• Smart Glasses Evolving: Companies like Meta and Apple are making strides in smart glasses, focusing on improved functionality and style.
• Outdoor Tech Integration: Innovations are merging nature with technology, enhancing outdoor experiences.
• Accessibility and Health Focus: New technologies are improving accessibility and personal health insights for various demographics.
• Home Robots Grounded: Despite advancements, most home robots remain focused on cleaning tasks, with added functionalities like obstacle navigation.

Notable Products from CES 2025

Some standout products Greg highlighted include:

• HYVE Smart Home Delivery Pod: A secure box for deliveries, set to retail at $299 with a subscription service.
• Kirin’s Salt Spoon: A device that enhances the flavor of food for low-sodium diets.
• WeWalk Smart Cane 2: An AI-enabled cane designed to assist visually impaired users.
• Roborock Saros Z70: A robotic vacuum that not only cleans but can also pick up objects using a mechanical arm.
• Wonder’s Petal: A solar-powered camera that captures and shares images of local wildlife.
• Yarbo Ground Robots: Robotic systems designed for various yard maintenance tasks, starting at $4,000.
• Meta’s Ray-Ban Stories: Stylish smart glasses featuring real-time translation and voice assistance.

As Greg summarizes his CES experience, he reflects on the continuous need for innovation, even as he searches for the elusive household robot that might one day fulfill the dream of automation at home.

CES, robots, AI