Project Ava: CES 2026’s Holographic AI Avatar Is the Future of Digital Companions

At CES 2026, one demo stopped more people than any other: Project Ava, a holographic AI avatar that gives your chatbot a face, a body, and a presence. It’s part hardware, part software, and entirely unlike anything on the market today.

What Is Project Ava?

Project Ava is a hologram-in-a-tube — a transparent cylindrical display that projects a life-sized, AI-driven avatar you can have a conversation with. The avatar responds to your questions, reads your body language, and maintains natural eye contact through the display. Key features include life-sized holographic projection in a compact tube form factor, AI-powered natural language conversation, body language and facial expression recognition, multiple avatar personalities and appearances, and an open API for developers to build custom integrations.

The Technology

The hardware combines a specialized cylindrical display with depth-sensing cameras and an AI backend. The avatar’s responses are generated by a large language model, but the holographic projection system is what makes it feel like you’re talking to someone rather than something.

Use Cases That Excite Us

Customer service — a holographic receptionist for businesses. Education — an AI tutor that feels like a real teacher. Elder care — a companion that elderly users can relate to more naturally. Home entertainment — a conversational AI that’s actually fun to interact with.

Our Take

Project Ava represents a fundamental shift in how humans interact with AI. Screens are flat. Text is impersonal. A holographic avatar that makes eye contact and responds naturally — that’s a different experience entirely.