CES 2026 is underway in Las Vegas, running through January 9, and Nvidia has once again emerged as one of the event’s most closely watched participants. Led by CEO Jensen Huang, the company used its keynote to highlight a strategic shift that goes far beyond gaming hardware.
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Nvidia made it clear that its ambitions now extend deep into factories, autonomous vehicles, robotics and large-scale simulations. Huang stressed that if a system or environment can be modelled digitally, Nvidia aims to provide the computing and AI backbone to power it.
A central theme of the presentation was the rise of “physical AI,” a concept focused on artificial intelligence systems that can act in the real world. Unlike traditional generative AI, physical AI is designed to perceive environments, predict movement and make decisions that translate into physical actions.
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To demonstrate this vision, Huang introduced the Cosmos model, which can simulate environments and anticipate motion to support advanced robotics. He also showcased Alpamayo, an AI system tailored for autonomous driving, including a live demonstration featuring AI-powered navigation in the Mercedes-Benz CLA.
Nvidia said these technologies could significantly accelerate progress in robotics and self-driving vehicles. The company further revealed plans to support a robotaxi service by 2027, underlining its long-term commitment to autonomous mobility.
Another major announcement focused on Nvidia’s push toward open AI models. Huang emphasised that Nvidia is no longer just a hardware provider, but also a platform offering open, adaptable AI models for developers.
These open models are designed for a wide range of sectors, including robotics, healthcare and climate science. By making these tools broadly accessible, Nvidia aims to position itself at the core of AI development across industries.
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Overall, Nvidia’s CES 2026 showcase reinforced its evolving identity as a foundational technology company. From data centres to real-world automation, the firm signalled that it intends to play a central role in shaping how AI is built, deployed and scaled in the years ahead.