Beginning on September 4 in Berlin, IFA 2026 opened its doors under the theme The Future is Now,
showcasing how artificial intelligence has transitioned from a distinct product category into the fundamental infrastructure of consumer technology across more than 1,900 brands from 49 countries.
Artificial intelligence is advancing at a rapid pace, and its growing role in everyday life takes center stage at this year’s consumer electronics and home appliances trade fair in Germany. Under the banner The Future is Now,
the event highlights how emerging technologies are reshaping daily routines, spanning mobility, appliances, and digital services.
Shifting from Smart Homes to Intelligent Living
The consumer electronics industry is actively looking beyond traditional smart home setups toward what is described as the intelligent home.
Instead of merely responding to basic user commands, modern technology is designed to learn, adapt, and anticipate human needs.
According to Leif Lindner, CEO of IFA Management, those advanced capabilities are already integrated into everyday consumer goods. The future is not waiting somewhere five or ten years away,
Lindner said, emphasizing that these systems already reside in domestic spaces, pockets, vehicles, and health routines.
“AI is becoming the new infrastructure of consumer technology. It is not one category anymore. It is becoming part of almost every category.”
Leif Lindner, CEO of IFA Management, via gizmodo.com
Automating Kitchens and Wardrobes with Haier and Cozyla
Nowhere is this shift more visible than in domestic appliances built to shoulder the mental load of household chores. Haier presented a washing machine equipped with an integrated camera and artificial intelligence. The appliance detects items placed in the drum and alerts users if a stray red garment risks turning white laundry pink.
For Haier Europe CEO Neil Tunstall, cooking represents another frontier where automation reduces daily friction. Modern appliances can identify ingredients placed inside them and automatically adjust cooking parameters, removing guesswork for home cooks.
“The product now will do that for you. And that hopefully means then that we can actually enjoy eating much more at home.”
Neil Tunstall, CEO of Haier Europe, via Euronews
Tunstall added that the industry is talking less about products, much more about experiences
, noting that systems themselves are beginning to think and make life significantly smarter.
Meanwhile, US-based Cozyla demonstrated how artificial intelligence coordinates household logistics, managing family schedules, work coordination, and meal planning through interactive digital calendars and recipe scanning setups.
Adaptive Sleep and Digital Health Innovations
Connected technology extends well beyond daytime chores into nightly routines and biometric wellness. Hong Kong-based BestQi showcased its AMADA Smart Adaptive Sleeping System, pairing an adjustable bed with sound- and vibration-driven mattress features controlled via an application. Each side of the bed operates independently, letting two users customize massage intensities and sleeping programs.
South Korean company Bodyfriend introduced the Davinci AI massage chair, which incorporates a fingertip PPG sensor to track metrics including heart rate, heart rate variability, and blood oxygen saturation. The chair evaluates physical condition, recovery, and stress levels based on those biometric shifts. Bodyfriend also displayed its Quantum Beauty Capsule, merging a full-body massage chair with face and scalp LED modules.
Cultural Landmarks and Attendance at the Berlin Exhibition
The scale of IFA 2026 matches its technological ambitions. Last year’s event drew more than 220,000 attendees from over 140 countries alongside over 1,900 exhibitors, generating global media coverage topping 301 billion during the week.
This year’s program expands into Berlin itself by reopening the ICC Berlin, a protected 1979 landmark closed to the public for more than ten years. The venue operates as a cultural playground during the exhibition, which runs from September 4 through September 8 at the Berlin ExpoCenter City. Outdoor concerts at the Sommergarten feature acts such as BUNT, Luciano, and Ikkimel & Friends, providing younger audiences and lifestyle media with context, emotion, and shared experiences alongside hardware specifications.
