CES 2026 Highlights: Exoskeletons, Neural Control Earbuds and Autonomous Mobility Devices Emerge

CES 2026 saw several emerging technologies with potential accessibility impact including AI-powered mobility devices, neural input systems, and experimental vision solutions.

Allison Sheridan, host of the NosillaCast podcast, shared her own insights from the Vegas event in an interview on Double Tap. Sheridan discussed the HyperShell AI-powered exoskeleton, designed to reduce physical exertion by adapting to a user’s gait in real time. “When I walked with purpose… my gait was being assisted,” she said, noting increased support at higher power levels. While aimed at outdoor activity, the technology reflects broader developments in mobility assistance.

A separate product, Naqi Logix neural earbuds, enables computer control through subtle facial movements. Developed following input from a quadriplegic user, the system captures “microgestures and subtle head movements” to perform actions such as navigating software or answering calls. Sheridan described it as a potential alternative to invasive brain-computer interfaces.

Mobility was a key theme, with the autonomous “Strut EV” wheelchair attracting attention. Sheridan reported that the device could navigate crowded environments and predefined routes independently. “I’m not doing anything… it’s driving itself over to the drink line,” she said during a demonstration. Real-world testing shared with her showed use in home environments, including obstacle avoidance and outdoor terrain.

Other concepts included Wheel Move, a motorised front attachment improving wheelchair performance on uneven surfaces, and Ally, a wrist-worn haptic device designed to translate visual cues into tactile signals.

Sheridan also highlighted early-stage vision technology from SolidDD, which uses multiple lenses to reconstruct missing visual fields. Initial testing suggests it may help people with conditions such as macular degeneration, though clinical trials are pending.

The interview suggests a shift at CES, with accessibility-focused technologies appearing more prominently across the show floor rather than in niche areas.

Resources

• Hypershell X Ultra AI-powered exoskeleton https://www.podfeet.com/blog/2026/02/ces-2026-hypershell/
• Naqi Logix https://www.podfeet.com/blog/2026/02/ces-2026-naqi-logix/
• Strutt Personal Every Day Electric Vehicle https://www.podfeet.com/blog/2026/01/ces-2026-strutt/
• Wheelmove https://www.wheelmove.eu/en
• Aleye https://hapware.com/
• Rescue Retriever https://rescueretriever.com/
• Soliddd https://youtube.com/watch?v=qXGCIwSzOH8