The Humanoid Hype Cycle: Separating “Shiny Objects” from Real Utility

The podcast episode analyzes key takeaways from the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026, focusing on humanoids and software-defined vehicles. Humanoids were a major presence, though mostly tele-operated with limited real-world applications, raising questions about investor expectations and the impact on manufacturing employment. The discussion then shifts to software-defined vehicles, highlighting the growing influence of Chinese companies, the transition to zonal architectures for over-the-air updates, and the increasing integration of AI in vehicle cabins. Finally, the conversation turns to export controls on NVIDIA's chips, the rise of domestic AI chips in China, and the potential impact of open-source AI models.