At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, Emerson Smart introduced a line of home appliances that respond to voice commands without Wi-Fi, apps, or cloud processing, prioritizing user privacy. The devices, from IAI Smart, include fans, heaters, air fryers, and plugs that handle commands locally. Some models are available now, with more coming later this year.
Emerson Smart, a product line from IAI Smart, showcased its SmartVoice technology at CES 2026, offering voice-controlled home appliances that operate entirely offline to address privacy concerns with traditional assistants like Alexa or Siri. Unlike cloud-based systems that send voice data to remote servers, these devices process commands on-board using built-in microphones, speakers, and algorithms, requiring no internet connection or mobile app for setup.
The lineup includes smart plugs, tower fans, fan heaters, and air fryers. Users can issue simple commands such as "Hey fan, turn on low" or "Hey heater, set to high," with devices responding immediately. Air fryers recognize over 1,000 voice commands across 100 cooking presets, allowing instructions like "reheat this pizza" or "cook at 350 degrees for 10 minutes." Smart plugs support more than 30 commands for timers and scheduling. Programmability is limited but includes options to customize wake words, such as holding a button on a plug to change it from "Hey Emerson" to "plug two" for multiple units in a room.
In a demo at the Las Vegas show, at least six models were active, though multiple devices sometimes responded to the same wake word, highlighting a potential challenge for whole-home setups. Designs are described as clean and modern, with upcoming air purifiers and fans appearing more attractive. The lack of an app means reduced flexibility, a trade-off for privacy-focused users.
Certain products are already on sale, including tower fans starting at $90 and smart plugs at $25. New models will enter production later in 2026, providing an app-free alternative in a market dominated by connected devices.
