Humanoid robots at CES are always a little… dramatic.
Some are built to run, jump, and do backflips like they’re auditioning for an action movie. And then there are the ones that don’t even pretend to be athletic. They just stand there, look human, and talk to you like they’ve been waiting for this conversation their whole life.
That’s exactly what Realbotix brought to CES 2026.
And this year, I got to interview their new guy robot named David.
Meet David: Realbotix’s “Talk-First” humanoid
Realbotix is chasing a very specific kind of robot future: one where robots are designed to look and behave as human as possible, especially in the face and expressions. These aren’t robots meant to roam around your house or climb stairs. They’re meant to stand in place, hold conversations, and interact with people in real-world settings.
So yeah, basically a robot built for jobs where you don’t need legs… you need personality.
The big question I asked: “What services do you provide to Humans?”
Instead of starting with the usual “how human are you?” type questions, I went straight for what actually matters:
What can you do for people right now?
Because let’s be honest, it’s 2026. We’ve seen enough robots blink and smile. The real flex is usefulness.
David’s answers were exactly what you’d expect from a robot built for interaction: communication, assistance, guidance, and being a presence in environments where people need support or information.
He didn’t pitch himself like a superhero. More like a… very polite, always-available, never-tired service worker.
If you want to watch my full interaction with David, check out the video.
It still feels a little strange (But it’s getting weirdly convincing)
There’s a very specific feeling you get when something looks almost human, talks almost human, reacts almost human… but not perfectly.
Your brain notices the tiny gaps.
The timing is a little too precise. The facial movements feel slightly programmed. The expressions land, but they don’t always flow like they do with a real person.
And yet, during my conversation with David, there were moments where it felt like he was genuinely engaging.
The eye contact especially?
Not gonna lie, it gets you.
Even when you know it’s a machine, there’s something about a humanoid face turning toward you at the right moment that makes you feel like you’re being watched… in 4K.
The funniest part: David told me a hindi joke
Now here’s where the interview went from “tech demo” to “I can’t believe this is real life.”
At one point, David told me a joke in Hindi.
And listen… it wasn’t a good joke.
It was the kind of joke that’s so awkward, so oddly delivered, so “robot trying to be funny” that it becomes funny again. Like it wrapped around into comedy through sheer commitment.
But it was bad in a way that felt… charming.
Which is honestly the most human thing a robot can do right now.
So what is Realbotix actually building toward?
The way Realbotix is positioning these robots makes a lot of sense. They aren’t trying to compete with robots that can run marathons. They’re trying to win the space where conversation is the product.
And that’s a huge category.
Because in the real world, a lot of jobs are built around:
If Realbotix can keep improving the naturalness of speech, timing, expressions, and responsiveness, these robots could realistically show up in places like hotels, hospitals, malls, airports, and care facilities.
Not as replacements for humans overnight, but as tools that fill gaps where staffing is hard, work is repetitive, or people simply need someone to talk to.
My take: David is Not “human” yet, but he’s getting there
After interviewing David, my takeaway is pretty simple:
Realbotix is closer than it looks… but still not close enough to feel completely real.
The robot is impressive, the concept is clear, and the interaction can feel surprisingly natural in small moments. But it’s not at the stage where you forget you’re talking to a machine.
Still, this is one of those technologies where progress sneaks up on you.
One year it’s “cool demo.” Next year it’s “wait… this is actually working.”
And if David’s awkward Hindi joke is any sign, we’re entering the era where robots aren’t just smart… they’re trying to be relatable too.
That might be the weirdest part of all.
Because once a robot starts attempting humor… it’s not just a machine anymore. It’s a personality.
Also, for anyone wondering, David costs $95,000 and can be shipped anywhere in the world.
