Wondering what new innovations were unveiled at the 2026 CES? This year, at the premier consumer electronics show held in Las Vegas each January, developers debuted many technologies that enable better care of older adults and people with disabilities.

Show highlights this year included tools powered by artificial intelligence (AI), along with healthcare solutions, robots, and mobility devices, said Gary Shapiro, executive chair and CEO of the Consumer Technology Association, which hosts CES. In an interview with AP News, he noted themes of developers “using AI in a way that makes sense for people,” increased robotics, as well as “longevity in health,” including wearables and other technologies that make healthcare more seamless.

Verizon hosted a first-ever CES Accessibility Stage elevating ways that new technologies can support people with disabilities and older adults. Talks centered on how digital equity can support aging in place, AI’s impact on neurodiversity and people with disabilities, accessible audio, and more.

Below are new solutions that are emerging to advance quality of life for aging populations.

AI and Healthcare

• Luna, an AI-powered voice-based care companion that uses ambient sensing to interact with and support older adults living at home, debuted at CES. Luna offers medication reminders, brain games and meditation, as well as conversation prompts. Maker Cairns Health won the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) Foundation’s Eureka Park Accessibility Contest, which highlights technologies that enhance the lives of older adults and people with disabilities.
•  Glasses that provide live captioning for people with hearing impairments won the 2026 AgeTech After Dark, an annual pitch competition sponsored by the AgeTech Collaborative from AARP. The captions by Captify, which was awarded $10,000, are said to offer 98% accuracy.
• Three of the AgeTech After Dark finalists also assist with health needs to improve quality of life. To prevent falls, older adults can wear subtly vibrating Proprio bands from Accelera to better sense their position in space and keep their balance. Kinemo Proprio helps people who have difficulty using their hands by sensing discreet motions, then translating those gestures into the moves needed to control a mouse or keyboard. Memcara is piloting music therapy, paired with imagery and conversation guides, to improve memory and communication with people who have dementia.
• Samsung previewed its Brain Health technology, which identifies early cognitive decline as an aid in prevention. Wearables and smartphones analyze a person’s gait, speech and sleep patterns, and additional cues. The technology, now in clinical trials, then alerts caregivers to any concerns while suggesting programs that support brain health.
• Smart devices in the bathroom are keeping older adults healthy in creative new ways. A Halo toothbrush with an AI “SmartNose” can sniff out more than 300 possible health conditions in the user’s breath while cleaning pearly whites. The Vovo Smart Toilet, which the CTA named a 2026 CES Innovation Award Honoree, automatically analyzes the user’s urine and casts results to a monitor. In addition, AI sensors alert caregivers if an older adult does not visit the toilet for more than 12 hours. As an a la carte option, Vivoo has crafted a clip-on tracker, enabling any toilet to detect hydration levels and wellness markers, with no sensing strips needed.
•  In the safety department, CNET gave a “Best Age Tech” designation to the iGuard smart stove shutoff device, ideal for those who are aging in place. Powered by radar, it is accurate enough to detect when a person is present but sitting still, as well as distinguish the motion of people versus pets.

Robotics and Mobility Aids

• In addition to various robots in the shape of animals, CES featured a realistic Labrador Retriever puppy named Jennie, complete with soft fur, wagging tail, and a heartbeat. The pup captivated residents during a tour of two senior living communities near the CES show, and she won a “Best Age Tech” award from CNET.
• Another AgeTech After Dark finalist, ATDev demonstrated robots that can help keep older adults living at home independently. The robot Reflex taps into telehealth to perform rehab after knee surgery. RAMMP, Robotically Assisted Manual Mobility Platform, is developing robotic wheelchairs that navigate on their own and can open doors and even pull products from store shelves.
• To show CES innovations in action, one CES reporter posted a video of a mobility chair driving itself.
• CNET named a mobility innovation as a CES winner in the “Best Travel Tech” category. WheelMove is a lightweight, easy-to-use portable attachment that transforms a regular wheelchair into a remote-controlled electric one.