Most eye-opening innovations at CES 2026From breath-analysing toothbrushes to soup-cooling robot cats, inventors at the world’s biggest tech fair are solving problems you never knew you had.Benedict Brook at CES in Las Vegas4 min readJanuary 7, 2026 - 6:24PMFridges that suggest recipes for dinner based on what’s left on the shelves, an “ultrasonic” chef’s knife that cuts through hard potatoes like warm butter, a toothbrush that “smells” diseases, a furry “bag charm” that startles pedestrians and a robot cat that cools down your hot coffee so you don't have too.These are some of the new inventions at CES, the world’s largest technology fair, which has just kicked off in Las Vegas. Amazing inventions or utter nonsense no one needs? You decide with your hard earned dollars. CES features huge names from Samsung to LG, Sony to Lego, Hisense to ASUS. News.com.au is on the ground in Sin City and news.com.au has taken a look at some of the great – and maybe some of the questionable – new inventions. Fridge that tells you what to eat We’ve all opened the fridge door to see the somewhat sparse interior and come up wanting on what to have for dinner. Both Samsung and LG believe they have solved this problem, however, with the latest iterations of their high end fridges: Samsung’s Bespoke AI refrigerator and the LG Signature.Both work on a similar principle. A camera inside the fridge can recognise thousands of different food items and products. Samsung’s can even recognise how many of a particular item are stored inside – remove one of three tomatoes and it will know just two are left. AI can recognise what items you buy frequently and urge you to pick up or order more in if you are running low. Or it can scan the fridge contents and find a recipe online that it then projects onto a screen on the fridge door. That recipe might only include what you have on the shelves or it could suggest you buy, say milk and cheese, to complete the dinner time creation. Neither AI fridge is available in Australia, for now. LG Signature fridges feature AI which can suggest recipes based on what’s on the shelves. Picture: LG.Diabetes sniffing toothbrushFrench firm Y-Brush is no stranger to CES, having showed off its curiously shaped brush in previous years which it claims is shaped to clean the mouth better and quicker. But it claims the Y-Brush Halo does a whole lot more. Using AI and gas sensors, it says it can analyse breath and detect over 300 health conditions — including early-stage diabetes, gum disease and liver disorders.The Y-Brush Halo claims to be able to sniff out diseases.Robot bag charm that stares at passers-byMove over Labubu, Mirumi is in town. The makers saying Mirumi is the “charm robot that will steal your heart”.We’ve all seen Labubus, the slightly demonic looking furry monsters that have become attached to bags everywhere. But what about a cuter Labubu that did stuff?The Mirumi attaches to bags (or lamps, or just sits on tables, if you prefer) and reacts to sound or a stroke. Its bushy little head turns in the direction of the noise. And that’s about it. Mirumi – a robot bag charm that "steals your heart".But if you were on the train and a small teddy bear suddenly began staring at you it could be a shock. Or, as the company puts it: “its innocent gaze instantly lights up your heart and your day”.The Seattle Ultrasonics chef‘s knife. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)World’s first “ultrasonic” chef knifeCutting through rock hard potatoes or overripe tomatoes should be as easy as slicing through hot butter with the Seattle Ultrasonics chef‘s knife.The knife itself is made of Japanese steel, so it’s good anyway. But when it’s turned on, the blade vibrates at up to 30,000 times per second. With the pressure from the hand and the vibrations it’s less about chopping the ingredients for dinner and more about just lightly slicing through them. The makers claim it’s 50 per cent easier to chop. The knife is available for preorder from $590. The Nekojita FuFu blows on your hot coffee – so you don't have too.Robot cat that blows on your soupSolving a problem that seemingly no one knew needed to be solved, this cute silicon cat has one use: to cool hot liquids. That’s right, if you can’t be bothered to blow on your own cuppa to cool it down, get a robot cat to do it instead.Inside Nekojita FuFu – which means “cat’s tongue” – is a tiny fan. You turn it on via a button in its tail. Then attach it by its paws to the side of a mug or bowl of soup. Then, three, minutes later, the liquid should be cool enough to sip. Or, you know, you could just blow on it or let it cool down of its own accord. But it is cute.It’s still under development but unlike a lot of very expensive gadgets at CES, the robot cat soup blower would only cost around $35. Which is a small price to pay for what could be the silliest invention at the show.The Tombot hyper-realistic autonomous dog robot companion for the elderly and those unable to have a living pet dog. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)Robot pet dog for the elderly, vulnerableThe makers of Jennie, a robot dog from Tombot, have told news.com.au they had “many customers from Australia” on its waitlist.They’re keen to get their hands on a plush Labrador puppy robot with big eyes and a wagging tail. If it’s petted or called, the robot’s head can move, it can open its mouth and even wag its ears. If it’s left alone Jennie can appear to fall asleep. It’s undoubtedly adorable, but Tombot has a serious side. They call it a “fully interactive, robotic emotional support animal”.More CoverageBiggest change to Lego in 50 yearsBenedict Brook at CES in Las Vegas‘World’s thinnest’ TV coming to AusBenedict Brook at CES in Las VegasTombot claims Jennie can aid people living with dementia, anxiety or loneliness. It’s still under development but can be pre-ordered. The writer travelled to CES with the assistance of LG. More related storiesMilitaryTrump issues ultimatum, military not readyUS President Donald Trump has issued an ominous warning to one Middle Eastern nation as protests continue to explode.Read moreInnovationBiggest change to Lego in 50 yearsLego has made a huge announcement about its bricks, which the iconic toy maker says is as significant as the launch of the mini figure 50 years ago.Read moreMilitary‘Very angry’: Trump duped by Putin hoaxThe US president was left furious after a call with tyrant Vladimir Putin, who complained that Ukraine had just tried to kill him.Read more