CES 2025: China showing leading AI-powered robots, EVs, smart glasses
Chinese firms had a noticeable impact at CES 2025, the tech industry’s annual highlight in Las Vegas, both in terms of the sheer number of companies exhibiting and the range of smart products displayed—from robotic companions and AR eyewear to electric vehicles (EVs) and household appliances.
According to show organizers, about a quarter of the more than 4,500 exhibitors were from China, echoing attendance levels in 2024 and marking a rise from 493 in 2023. This boost was partly attributed to China’s relaxed Covid-19 policies arriving too late for many companies to participate in 2023. Artificial intelligence (AI) stood out as a unifying theme, with practical use cases featured across virtually every sector.
The Consumer Technology Association (CTA), which oversees CES, predicts that the global consumer electronics market will reach US$537 billion in 2025, with hardware accounting for US$353 billion—up by 2.6 percent—and software and services contributing US$184 billion, an increase of 4.6 percent.
Robotics took center stage, with an array of designs grabbing attention. Yushu Technology, doing business as Unitree Robotics, presented both humanoid and four-legged robots geared toward consumers and industry alike. Its G1 humanoid model, powered by 23 to 43 joint motors, demonstrated notable agility, such as shifting from standing to lying down and back again.
Gentler, pet-inspired robots also attracted onlookers. One such device, Ropet—currently seeking Kickstarter backing—uses AI to detect a user’s emotional state and adjust its expressions and actions in real time. Many robots showcased at CES were developed with practical tasks in mind: autonomous pool cleaners and AI-driven lawnmowers served as key examples of how machine intelligence is influencing daily routines.
AI-equipped smart glasses were another major draw, a trend sparked by the popularity of Meta Platforms’ latest Ray-Ban frames. These glasses integrate open-ear audio, embedded cameras, and streamlined social sharing. Beijing-based Xreal, a regular at CES, introduced its newest XReal One Pro AR glasses, featuring an expansive 57-degree field of view and enhancements to reduce lag and motion sickness. Meanwhile, Rokid demonstrated AR eyewear that looks similar to ordinary glasses but can display real-time translated text within the wearer’s field of vision.
Chinese companies are increasingly venturing into the smart glasses arena. “The newest Ray-Ban Meta glasses appear to have inspired other manufacturers to create similar products with built-in screens, speakers, and cameras,” said George Jijiashvili, senior principal analyst at Omdia. He added that user experience has reached new heights, though hardware and software improvements—particularly on-device AI for maintaining reliable connectivity—remain a work in progress.
On the EV front, Zeekr (part of Geely Auto) and Great Wall Motor highlighted fresh vehicle models and self-driving features. Suppliers within the automotive chain, from lidar sensor manufacturers to testing service providers, were also present. David Li, co-founder and CEO of Shanghai-based lidar producer Hesai, said the company anticipates delivering as many as one million automotive-grade lidar units this year, thanks to scaling up alongside record EV sales. He estimated that high-resolution lidar costs could drop to around US$200 in large quantities, a significant reduction compared to the US$80,000 price tag in 2017.
Another crowd-pleaser was Xpeng Aeroht’s “split-type” flying car, unveiled outside mainland China for the first time. Known as the Land Aircraft Carrier, the electric vehicle features an integrated eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) craft at the back. Co-founder Wang Tan noted that Xpeng Aeroht has secured about 3,000 preliminary orders, with a targeted 2026 delivery date pending regulatory approvals.
Household electronics were not overshadowed. Top Chinese TV makers Hisense and TCL dominated central exhibit halls, sharing the spotlight with Korean rivals LG and Samsung. In addition to featuring bigger, brighter displays, these companies are transforming televisions into control hubs for AI-enabled smart homes. Elsewhere, Chinese consumer electronics players such as Insta360 (action cameras), Laifen (hairdryers), Aukey (chargers), and Govee (smart lighting) sustained steady visitor interest.
However, China’s leading internet names—ByteDance, Tencent, Baidu, and Huawei—were notably absent from the show floor, possibly seeking to avoid international scrutiny. Alibaba Cloud took a quieter approach, revealing Wuying, a cloud desktop solution enabling access to powerful remote computing.
With the U.S. and China experiencing heightened geopolitical tensions and ongoing tech-related decoupling, many AI developers are adjusting by deploying separate models at home and abroad. “Companies increasingly factor in these challenges from the outset,” observed Nicole Peng, vice-president of consumer research at Canalys. “They recognize that AI isn’t truly borderless. Even younger startups are building region-specific strategies to accommodate regulatory frameworks from day one.”
