7 Things You Missed at CES

2025 marked the strongest year ever for Kickstarter’s Design & Technology category, powered by creators bringing bold new ideas to life across hardware, home goods, maker tools, robotics, and more. 

What you saw in our CES space was just a snapshot of where that momentum can lead. Here are seven highlights you might have missed.

1. A First Look At Soon-To-Launch Projects

Several Kickstarter projects began their journey at CES, tapping into the show's energy to introduce what they’re building next. On January 7, Kickstarter hosted an event showcasing four upcoming launches, offering attendees an early look at what’s coming next to the platform.

Creators from Yarbo, DOJO Air, Gambit Robotics, and Naya shared previews of their products and how they’re preparing to launch with the support of backers. Together, these projects highlighted the next wave of crowdfunded innovation taking shape on Kickstarter.

These projects span productivity, robotics, and emerging tech, and reflect the range of ideas creators are bringing to Kickstarter right now.

2. Genki Pushed Portable Gaming Forward

Genki joined us to showcase the Covert Dock 3 and ShadowCast 3: ultra-portable, all-in-one solutions built for modern gaming and hybrid play. The team also used the show to launch a campaign for its latest handheld accessory, Genki Grips for Nintendo Switch 2, reinforcing the brand's focus on compact, design-driven gaming hardware.

3. will.i.am Unveiled A New Vision For Micromobility

At CES, will.i.am unveiled TRINITY, an all-electric vehicle he describes as the future of micromobility, set to launch on Kickstarter.

Designed to be driver-centric and built with AI at its core, TRINITY runs on NVIDIA DGX Spark technology. The project blends design, performance, and intelligence in a way that points toward where personal transportation could be headed next.

Visitors to the booth were invited to get notified ahead of the project’s Kickstarter launch. Get notified here when this project launches.

4. TCL Introduced Its Latest Tablet

The consumer electronics company TLC announced the campaign launch for its new Note A1 NXTPAPER: a tablet that delivers a distraction-free workspace powered by AI so you can focus on taking notes, not organizing them! (The've already won some awards for it, too.)

5. Creator-built Products Filled The Booth

The Kickstarter booth brought together a wide range of Design & Technology projects, offering a snapshot of what creators are building right now.

Projects featured in the Kickstarter booth

• Xebec Tri-Screen 3
• Sphinx Smart Wet Feeder for Cats
• Genki Covert Dock 3 & ShadowCast 3
• Roam SodaTop
• Makera Z1 Desktop CNC
• Ascentiz Modular Exoskeleton
• Hengbot Sirius
• Fraimic Smart E-Ink Canvas
• Keychron K2 HE Wireless Keyboard
• Snapmaker U1 Color 3D Printer
• ACCELaser HD1 Dual Laser
• Soundcore Sleep A30
• LiberNovo Omni
• Dipal D1 3D Character Pod
• Bird Buddy Petal

6. We Handed Out Creator-Made Swag

CES attendees didn’t just see Kickstarter projects — they took one home.

Throughout the show, we gave out Kickstarter-branded fingerprint erasers by Jiffy, a product originally launched on Kickstarter. It was a small reminder that many of the tools people use every day start as creator-led ideas backed by a community.

7. Creators Brought The Energy

Beyond the displays and demos, creators helped set the tone inside the booth. From live conversations to social content shared from the floor, the space was full of the energy that comes from building and launching ideas together.

This video posted by the popular D+T influencer, Strange Parts, captures a behind-the-scenes look at the booth and the creators who brought it to life.

[booth photos by Amanda Altman]