In the new year, artificial intelligence will step out of screens and enter your life directly. AI glasses that remember everything you see, housekeeping robots that clean homes and cook food, adult dolls that offer human-like emotional intimacy, and deathbots that let you talk to loved ones even after they’re gone. Here’s the full story of 7 major AI breakthroughs expected in 2026… 1. AI-Powered glasses: From maps and translation to finding your lost keys Google, in collaboration with Samsung, is developing Android XR Glasses. These are lightweight and stylish AI-powered smart glasses. Powered by Gemini, these glasses will offer real-time translation, map navigation, notifications, messages, music, photos and videos, and AI assistance. The most interesting part: they can store memories. This means they will remember everything you see and hear photos, routes, and even items kept at home. You can ask them where you kept your car keys or why you argued with a friend. Shahram Izadi, Vice President of Android XR, says, “While traveling, attending meetings, or driving, you need tools that make life easier. That’s why we’re creating lightweight and stylish glasses that provide instant information without touching your phone.” The Samsung Galaxy XR headset is already in the market, but the screen-free AI version of Android XR glasses will launch in 2026. How it will work:
Android XR Glasses will include Gemini AI, a camera, microphone, speakers, battery, and an optional in-lens display. They will pair with an Android phone and respond to voice commands. The glasses will analyze surroundings, context, and commands to deliver responses. They can also be controlled using touch gestures and a side trackpad. 2. Housekeeping robots: Cooking, cleaning, and acting as your personal secretary American robotics company 1X launched a robot named NEO on October 28, 2025. This robot can perform daily tasks automatically and provide personal assistance. With a button press or voice command, NEO can become your housekeeper. You can assign tasks and set deadlines for cleaning, laundry, cooking, organizing cupboards, opening the door for guests, and even turning off lights after you sleep. NEO can also handle personal tasks such as scheduling appointments, setting birthday reminders, and preparing grocery lists. NEO weighs about 30 kg, can lift over 68 kg, and carry up to 25 kg. 1X founder and CEO Bernt Børnich says, “Human-like robots existed in science fiction for decades. After years of research, NEO is now a real product something you can touch. It bridges the gap between our imagination and reality.” How it will work:
NEO is trained on large language models (LLMs) and AI. It comes pre-trained with household knowledge and tasks. Equipped with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a three-stage speaker system, NEO learns, remembers user preferences, and offers suggestions accordingly. 3. AI adult dolls: Offering human-like emotional intimacy China-based sex doll manufacturer Starpery Technology is training its dolls with AI to respond and interact more naturally. Both male and female versions are being developed. CEO Ivan Lee says, “We are developing next-generation sex dolls. They will communicate with users both verbally and physically, responding through actions and conversation.” Similarly, WMDoll founder Liu Jiangxia explains, “Traditional sex dolls only meet physical needs, while AI-powered dolls also provide emotional support.” How it will work:
These AI adult dolls use LLM technology and are trained with expanding vocabularies. They contain dozens of wireless sensors that respond to speech and touch. 4. AI Deathbots: Talking to loved ones even after death To ease the pain of loss, AI-based grief technology is being developed. Tech startups are creating interactive deathbots, which are digital avatars of deceased people. They replicate a person’s style, personality, appearance, emotions, and behavior. Startups like Project December, HereAfter, StoryFile, and You, Only Virtual are building tools to create AI deathbots. Justin Harrison, founder and CEO of You, Only Virtual, says, “Sometimes only a mother or father can make us feel better. That’s the situation we’re trying to address. Our startup creates AI audio versions of deceased people, called Versona, which users can call and talk to.” According to news portal NPR, the global afterlife and grief-therapy industry involving deathbots could soon reach $80 billion. How it will work:
AI will learn from a person’s old messages, emails, and voice notes to create a digital avatar or deathbot that thinks and talks like them. It will respond emotionally based on how you interact and share feelings. 5. Smart Mirrors: Controlling your home and tracking your health With a gesture or voice command, smart mirrors will allow you to turn household electronic devices on or off, adjust temperature, and manage security systems. The mirror will also conduct health check-ups and show how healthy you are. Installed in bathrooms, it can provide health updates while you brush your teeth. If you stand in front of the mirror holding clothes, it will show how they look on you and suggest what to wear and how to style yourself.
Chinese company Workon is developing this smart mirror. Last year, it launched a beauty mirror that assists with makeup and dressing. How it will work:
All household electronic devices will connect to the mirror, enabling full home control. Sensors in the mirror will track heart rate, sleep patterns, skin condition, and body metrics, offering health updates and fashion advice displayed on the mirror screen. 6. A personal teacher for every student: AI tutors that teach at a child’s pace Typically, classrooms have 30–40 students taught by a single teacher, even though each child learns differently and at a different speed. To address this, Indian edtech company LEAD Group is developing an AI tutor named Ms Curie, designed to teach and support students based on their individual learning levels. LEAD Group co-founder and CEO Sumit Mehta says, “Our tool is meant to support teachers, not increase their workload. It analyzes each child’s learning speed and progress to provide personalized help.” By handling practice tracking, basic assessments, and data analysis, Ms Curie saves teachers’ time, allowing them to focus on motivating, mentoring, and emotionally supporting students. How it will work:
Ms Curie is being trained in mathematics, science, social science, languages, and more. Once the teacher sets the learning context in the classroom, it will create step-by-step plans for students, provide practice, and track individual progress.
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