Razer’s Project Madison and Ava were some of my favourite CES tech

At CES 2026, Razer gave me a sales space tour and the chance to demo its new Undertaking Madison gaming chair and Undertaking Ava hologram AI machine. Each had been tremendous cool in their very own methods, and I’d love so as to add both or each to my setup.

Undertaking Madison

Beginning with Undertaking Madison, this gaming chair creates the final word immersive expertise, particularly for individuals with out succesful headsets, or who don’t like carrying their gaming headset in the event that they’re not chatting with individuals on-mic. The gaming chair has highly effective audio system on each side of the headrest. They supply fairly loud sounds; my 3D Pulse headset is louder, although, but when I didn’t wish to have them on, the chair’s audio system may pair with entrance audio system to realize 5.1 or 7.1 encompass sound with out the necessity for the headset. We demoed the chair enjoying Marvel Rivals, and after positively 100 hours of enjoying the title, I do know some key sounds to hear out for, similar to Spidey’s quips, which I used to be in a position to clearly hear and establish that there was a Spider-Man developing behind my workforce.

And the headrest is powered by Razer Chroma RGB, which affords 16.8 million colors and dynamic results, and there are some custom-made for a whole lot of supported video games. Nonetheless, even with out sport assist, it’s fairly.

Nonetheless, that is removed from one of the best facet of Undertaking Madison. The gaming chair has ‘Multi-Zone Haptic Suggestions’ powered by Razer Sensa HD Haptics. This haptic expertise is powered by six built-in motor actuators that reply in real-time in each video video games and flicks. It’s so cool and feels completely nice and immersive. With motion pictures and a few video video games, the haptics are matched by the audio, so if one thing loud is occurring in your film, the chair will vibrate to match the expertise. Alternatively, Razer has labored with quite a lot of builders over the previous 12 months, when it first launched Razer Sensa HD Haptics, to supply directional in-game haptics that really feel exact. When The Punisher shoots his shotgun in Rivals, the haptics are slower and extra unfold out in comparison with the rapid-fire haptics of when he makes use of his turret. It helps the immersion of shooters a lot, and I wish to attempt the expertise with different titles like Overwatch or Elden Ring.

My largest concern is that Undertaking Madison solely works with Home windows PCs — it is smart, it’s Razer, I do know — and I’m a console participant. Razer stated it might probably work with console-makers sooner or later; however for now, you’ll want a PC — nevertheless, a tool like an Xbox ROG Ally X must also work.

Undertaking Ava

Razer calls Undertaking Ava a 24/7 AI companion designed to stay alongside you.

Undertaking Ava is an AI delivered to life as a 5.5-inch 3D hologram in a cylindrical machine with a transparent outer shell that makes use of AI, cameras, microphones, and audio system for communication. For now, Undertaking Ava is powered by Grok AI, however Razer stated it would broaden to different LLMs.

The mannequin I demoed didn’t have a digital camera shade, however Razer stated it might be applied sooner or later for customers’ privateness.

The AI companion has to attach on to a Home windows laptop computer, and the avatar is ready to wake you within the morning, inform you what’s in your schedule and extra. I requested the AI companion what my schedule was, what the climate was in Vegas, and adopted with “do you want my outfit?” Ava advised me that it preferred what I used to be carrying and it was appropriate to put on for Vegas’ climate, and even stated that it was appropriate for my empty schedule, seemingly conserving in thoughts all three of my questions. I additionally requested Undertaking Ava about what sport I ought to play, and, humorous sufficient, it prompt enjoying some Tears of the Kingdom, a Nintendo Swap title, and that it might help me whereas enjoying. Undertaking Ava is designed to assist customers play video games, permitting the participant to get help on loadouts in FPS video games, as an illustration; nevertheless, it does this by connecting straight into the PC, and it’s in a position to watch the display by way of the connection. How would Undertaking Ava touch upon my Tears of the Kingdom gameplay? I’m unsure, and neither was the Razer rep. I used to be curious if the machine might use its digital camera to view my display and touch upon gameplay. The Razer rep on the sales space stated it is likely to be doable, however that there might be a delay in comparison with utilizing the USB hyperlink.

Undertaking Ava was very cutesy and conversational; the AI appeared to have persona as properly. Moreover, you possibly can select totally different avatars. I used cutesy anime lady Kira and the ‘scorching’ man with the button-down shirt, Zane.

I’m probably not into utilizing AI to switch artwork or writing. I believe that kind of AI is harmful and may take jobs away from individuals — like myself. Nonetheless, I like the concept of a companion that may assist me set up my day, assist me dress within the morning, and if it has somewhat sass or p’zazz, it’s even higher. AI or not, having a Hologram in your room is sick as hell, and Razer advised me they’re engaged on the flexibility to have customers add their very own avatars. I’d completely go to have my very own Cortana.