CES 2026, considered the largest tech event in the world, is happening this week in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hosted by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the tech event kicks off 2026 with more than 150,000 attendees expected to browse offerings from thousands of exhibitors spread across multiple hotels and convention centers in The City that Never Sleeps.
And while the event spans all things tech — from wearable health devices to driverless cars to AI — it certainly means plenty of innovation in the realm of drones. The products revealed and promoted at CES 2026 will set the tone for what the drone industry can expect in the year ahead.
The event formally runs Tuesday, Jan. 6 through Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. Here’s what drone pilots and industry professionals can expect from CES 2026:
Drone Girl’s ultimate guide to CES 2026
1. Antigravity A1: The world’s first 8K 360° drone
The Antigravity A1 drone could completely redefine what’s possible in aerial cinematography. This CES 2026 Best of Innovation winner in the Drones category features a dual-lens 360° camera system that captures seamless, spherical footage without blind spots.
I’ve already got my hands on it (as you can see in my unboxing video) and am in the midst of reviewing it myself.
- Buy the Antigravity A1 drone now directly from Antigravity.
- Buy the Antigravity A1 drone now directly from B&H Photo.
It’s a 360-degree drone, meaning it captures the whole landscape around it. But here’s what makes it groundbreaking: proprietary algorithms make the drone invisible in both real-time footage and final renders. The drone comes with vision goggles, which transform drone flight into a fully immersive 360° experience, letting pilots look around freely as if they’re actually there.
And for photographers? No more worrying about precise framing mid-flight — you can reframe shots in post-production.
The Grip motion controller simplifies navigation with point-to-fly gestures, dramatically lowering the learning curve for new pilots. And at just 249 grams, the A1 complies with most global drone regulations while featuring a foldable design for exceptional portability.
2. A water-surface entertainment drone
You’ve seen all the drone light shows in the sky, but what about drone shows on water? This might be the next thing in nighttime entertainment.
ARIVIA Water-Surface Drone from SPACEONE Fukushima claims to be the world’s first autonomous buoy-type water-surface drone. It’s equipped with programmable LED lighting and controllable fountain jets. This 2026 CES Honoree in Drones seamlessly integrates LED illumination, precision fountain systems, GPS navigation, and onboard audio.
Multiple units can synchronize to transform any water surface — harbors, resorts, tourist landmarks, or pools — into a choreographed performance stage. Future enhancements may include laser projection, mist effects and underwater lighting. They’ve even suggested the possibility of scent dispersion for immersive, multi-sensory experiences.
And just as drones are used for not just entertainment but aspects of making the world better such as environmental support, that’s the case with these water drones too. Beyond entertainment, ARIVIA supports environmental monitoring by capturing real-time data such as water temperature, turbidity, and oxygen levels. Its modular design and durable waterproof housing make it adaptable for both short-term events and long-term installations worldwide.
3. Advanced Air Mobility sessions you can’t miss
CES 2026 is putting significant emphasis on the future of flight. Don’t miss “The Future is Airborne” session on Thursday, January 8 at 4:00 PM (LVCC, West Level 2, W219). This panel dives into the latest on eVTOL and advanced air mobility, exploring how commercial uses are taking flight and meeting certification and safety standards.
Speakers include Adam Goldstein, Founder and CEO of Archer Aviation, and Darren ‘Taz’ Sekiguchi, Managing Director of Marketing, Supply Chain & Data at Amazon Prime Air (yes, that’s Amazon’s drone delivery arm). If you’re tracking the commercialization of drone delivery or urban air mobility, this is essential viewing.
Also check out “Manufacturing the Future: Energy. Mobility. AI.” on Wednesday, January 7 at 1:00 PM, featuring JoeBen Bevirt, Founder/CEO of Joby Aviation.
4. Wing talks drone delivery expansion
“Food Delivery 2035: Drones, Robots, and Underground Tunnels” on Wednesday, January 7 at 2:00 PM (Venetian, Level 4, Lando 4302) is a must-attend for anyone tracking the commercialization of drone delivery.
Heather Rivera, Chief Business Officer at Wing, will discuss the future of autonomous delivery alongside leaders from other delivery platforms. Wing’s recent expansion to Atlanta and continued operations in markets like Texas (aka the “Drone Star State” demonstrate that drone delivery isn’t just a futuristic concept — it’s happening now and scaling rapidly.
With Wing already completing hundreds of thousands of deliveries across multiple continents, this session will explore how drones, sidewalk robots, and other autonomous systems will reshape last-mile delivery by 2035. If you want insight into where the drone delivery industry is headed from one of its most successful operators, this is the session to attend.
5. A revolutionary water sampling drone
Hydro Hawk from DummDumm Inc. won the CES Best of Innovation award in Smart Communities for good reason. This 5G-enabled aerial water sampling system brings the lab to the water, flying to remote or hazardous sites to collect up to four liters of water at precise depths.
It instantly analyzes key indicators like pH, turbidity, and conductivity, with real-time data transmission over 5G and fully traceable digital logs. Proven in field trials to reduce time and cost by over 60%, Hydro Hawk eliminates the need for boats, long travel times, and delayed lab results.
For environmental agencies, utilities, and industrial operators, this could represent a massive leap forward in water quality monitoring efficiency and safety.
6. The expanded CES Creator Space
Given how many drone professionals (well, and all sorts of people in tech!) are also content creators, the CES Creator Space is bigger and better for 2026. It’s moved to a new home in Central Hall and is now open to all CES badge holders — a significant expansion from previous years.
The space is designed to spark connections between content creators, exhibitors, and brands, supporting peer-to-peer networking and real business-building opportunities right in the heart of the show floor. Surrounding exhibitors showcase technology designed to improve creators’ workflows and production — particularly relevant for drone pilots who monetize their aerial footage.
The CES Creator Stage features three days of sessions focused on the creator economy, performance metrics, brand partnerships, and commerce. Standout sessions include:
- “State of the Creator Economy” on Tuesday, January 6 at 10:30 AM
- “Partnering with Purpose: Building Long-Term Brand Relationships” on Tuesday, January 6 at 2:15 PM
- “What Metrics for Success Will Look Like in 2026” on Wednesday, January 7 at 2:15 PM
For drone content creators looking to monetize their work, understand platform algorithms, or build sustainable brand partnerships, this is an invaluable resource that’s been significantly enhanced for 2026.
Navigate CES 2026 like a pro
CES spans multiple venues, including the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), Venetian Expo and various hotels. Familiarize yourself with the locations of key events and booths using the official CES map and mobile app to avoid unnecessary backtracking.
Download the CES app — it’s helpful for managing your schedule, locating exhibitors, and staying updated on last-minute changes. This year’s app features a new AI chatbot, transportation updates, translations for select sessions, and “Attendee Connect” to share contact information via QR code.
Be prepared for lots of walking. Bring good walking shoes and snacks. To avoid crowds, visit popular booths early in the morning or late in the day. CES offers shuttle services between major venues, so use these or rideshare apps to navigate efficiently, especially between the Strip and off-Strip locations.
And bring a portable charger for your phone.
If you’re heading to Vegas for CES 2026 and still haven’t booked a room, cash rates are high. Check out NerdWallet’s guide to the best Las Vegas hotels on points. I am partial to the Bellagio.
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