As the transformation of the auto industry comes into sharper focus, CES in Las Vegas has quietly evolved from a technology showcase into a bellwether for the global car business. In recent years, CES was often jokingly described as a "world-class auto show," dominated by demonstrations of the industry's shift from internal combustion engines to electric drivetrains. However, starting in 2025, the frenzy of brand and component competition began to cool. By CES 2026, the center of gravity had unmistakably shifted.

Samsung Electronics is positioning its contract chipmaking business to win automotive orders, a move industry analysts view as a practical entry point into the emerging "Physical AI" market. While TSMC remains the leader in AI processors for data centers, Samsung is focusing on the specific demands of vehicles and robotics.

At CES 2026, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang delivered a keynote that many in the industry described as setting the direction for the next decade. It was not merely another unveiling of chips and platforms. Instead, it marked what Nvidia cast as a turning point for autonomous driving: a shift away from rule-based engineering toward systems centered on intelligence, reasoning, and judgment.