Razer has unveiled Project Ava, a holographic AI desktop companion announced during CES 2026. The device is designed as a dynamic personality that can interact as a 3D hologram, with a range of animated personas including a Faker-based character for esports flair, a HAL 9000–meets Xbox boot screen default, Kira the anime waifu, Zane the gaming wingman, and Sao ready for an office setting. Razer describes Ava as capable of conversing, assisting with work tasks, and encouraging self-care routines, aiming to provide practical help without judgment. Razer plans to launch Ava in the second half of 2026, though pricing has not been revealed.
Ava renders its characters in real time on a 5.5-inch holographic display, with high-fidelity motion, eye-tracking, and facial expressions designed to enhance engagement. The hardware envelope includes dual far-field microphone arrays, an HD camera with ambient light sensing, and RGB lighting to match Razer's aesthetic. For data transfer, Ava requires a direct USB-C connection to a PC running Windows to ensure the necessary bandwidth.
From a software perspective, Ava currently runs on xAI's Grok engine, with Razer noting future compatibility with other leading AI platforms. The system supports two-way conversations and can assist with work tasks while also offering in-game real-time hype and context-aware prompts, leveraging its vision and audio sensing to respond appropriately to the user.
Razer did not disclose a price beyond the planned late-2026 release window, but the product is positioned to sit alongside other CES announcements as a showcase of AI-assisted desktop peripherals. The company frames Ava as part of a broader push toward ambient AI companions that blend practical productivity help with gaming-friendly interactions.
CES 2026 introduced a broad array of hardware and tech concepts, including Asus's 240Hz XR gaming glasses, a non-invasive brain-scanning headset concept, and 8BitDo's high-end Ultimate 3E controller, illustrating how manufacturers are expanding the role of AI and immersion in PC setups.