IFA 2026 Opens in Berlin: Robotics and AI Lead the Show

IFA Berlin 2026, one of the world's largest trade fairs for consumer electronics and home appliances, opened its doors on Friday with robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) taking center stage. The five-day event has drawn more than 1,900 brands from around the globe, offering visitors a look at cutting-edge innovations ranging from smart home devices and robots to flying cars.

A key theme this year is the shift of AI from purely screen-based applications into real-life, tangible uses. Smaller and more energy-efficient AI models are being rapidly integrated into smartphones, vehicles, home appliances, and other everyday consumer products.

Leif Lindner, CEO of IFA Berlin, emphasized that companies must now clearly demonstrate the practical benefits of AI to consumers. "I believe there is an increasing need for companies to explain what AI can actually bring to consumers," he said. "That means AI itself isn't what should be front and center, rather, you explain the product and what the innovation is. An innovation isn't defined primarily by highlighting certain features. Instead, the product has to be intuitive and easy to use."

Chinese companies continue to have a strong presence at this year's fair. Brands such as TCL, Hisense, Haier, DJI, and Xiaomi are showcasing new products and technologies that are drawing significant attention from media and visitors alike.

At Haier's exhibition booth, a smart refrigerator demonstrated a complete process involving food identification, inventory management, and reminders. Meanwhile, laundry and garment-care devices used computer vision and algorithms to assess clothing conditions and automatically select appropriate programs.

Neil Tunstall, CEO of Haier Europe, highlighted the convergence of physical hardware and digital intelligence. "I think everybody in this fair will talk about artificial intelligence, AI. It's a theme which is massively important," he said. "We're also starting to talk more about robotics, so the physical and the intelligence coming together. It's about sensing, it's about cameras, it's about intelligence, it's about technologies."

With the show underway, more product launches focused on AI, robotics, and smart devices are expected in the coming days, underscoring how these technologies are reshaping the next generation of consumer electronics.