Razer unveils Project Ava as a 5.5-inch AI hologram desk companion for gaming and life

Razer is making an AI anime waifu hologram for your desk

Razer's Project Ava AI game coach from last year's CES is taking a new form for 2026: a tiny holographic anime girl in a capsule you can put on your desk. Anime girls in pods were already a thing at CES 2025, but Razer's take on it is much smaller and desk-friendly. The new Project Ava is a 5.5-inch animated hologram that can take the form of Kira, an anime waifu in a green dress and black thigh-high socks, or Zane, a muscled dude covered in snake tattoos. Razer plans to add other avatars later, including real people like esports star Faker, or you can opt for a nonhuman glowing orb of light. Project Ava avatars are designed to have "natural movements, eye-tracking, facial expressions, and lip sync for engaging interaction." But what's most important is what they're constantly looking at: your screen and you, via Project Ava's own built-in webcam and even the webcam on your own computer. These AI avatars watch you and what's on your screen to answer your questions, give you gaming tips as you play, help with brainstorming or problem solving, and, according to Razer, even help with wardrobe tips and fit checks. You can talk to it via its dual-array mics by holding down a custom key binding, like a side mouse button. When you do that, you're talking to Grok, which is the LLM Razer had set up for the demo I got to see. Razer reps claim that the vision is for Project Ava to be AI agnostic, allowing you to pick the model that's feeding it, but for now it's Grok, which is in the middle of its own gross crisis. And boy did my short demo feel Grok-y. Razer allowed me to try Project Ava for a few minutes, and I came away gritting my teeth, thinking that this is going to be Microsoft's Copilot AI ads all over again -- but with an anime waifu avatar now involved, it has the potential to be gross. I spoke to Kira for my demo, and it started off with "Wow! New face at the Razer booth? Love it! How should I call you?" (Razer preprogrammed this CES theme for the starting prompts.) It understood my name and addressed me as Antonio. Then it asked if I'd seen anything cool at CES, to which I gave a deadpan "No." After I no-sold the bot on its excitement level, it moved on to its extended preamble, which quickly turned awkward. "I'm Kira, from Project Ava by Razer, powered by Animation Inc. dot com. I've got friends in the project, but today it's me and Zane. I'm the prettiest, just for you. Haha!" I was already at a loss for words, as I couldn't shake the feeling that Kira is just a step or two away from getting flirty. There were many moments where she threw in lots of those "Ha!" exclamations, and it sounded ripped straight from Grok's Ani (even Kira's dress isn't far off from Ani's outfit). I did my best to stop a sense of embarrassment showing on my face, and I soldiered on with the demo by asking Kira for advice while playing Battlefield 6. Razer had the game loaded into the firing range training area, and I asked Kira what weapon I'm currently using. It replied with a generic "You're using a scoped assault rifle in your tan gloved grip." When I tried to clarify, "Do you know the model of the rifle?" it told me it couldn't identify the exact model, but I could describe it so we could identify it together. Kira also kept incessantly filling gaps in communication with annoying chatter. As I tried to refamiliarize myself with Battlefield 6 after not touching it for a couple months, Kira spouted off some random lines: "This is quite fun! Come join our community. And don't forget about me! I'm here to surprise you next time, so you can see what crazy things we cook up. You excited?" After it fumbled through more canned lines from Razer, encouraging people in the demo to take a selfie and tag the company, it went back to looking at what I was doing in Battlefield. "Ouch! Downed again. Bounce back stronger! You're unstoppable! Loving that sharp booth look. Unforgettable. Seriously. I look forward to partnering up with you and sharing the laughter and rage in gaming." I was not downed or killed in the game; I was still in the firing range and I don't think you can even die there. Next up was a quick demo of Ava's computer vision outside of games. Razer's David Ng pulled up the Steam store in a browser, and Kira said, unprompted, "Whoa! Fallout 76 at 65 percent off at $51? Insane steal!" Not only did nobody press the push-to-talk button, but Fallout 76 was at that moment 90 percent off, down to $3.99 for the Steam Winter Sale. I was half expecting Kira to tell me next how it's most definitely in stock. It'd be very easy to hand-wave away this messy demo because Project Ava is still in development, and Razer's "Project" designation indicates that it's a concept that may never materialize into a product, as various Razer CES demos haven't. (My colleagues and I who have tested LLMs and AI assistants often have similarly terrible experiences with fully released products.) But Razer seems so hell-bent on the desktop avatar version of Ava coming out by the end of this year that it's taking $20 reservations. I don't know if Razer is just failing to read the room that many gamers are turning against AI, or if it just doesn't care. Razer promoted its presence at CES with the tagline "The future of gaming is AI." Well, the future with Project Ava seems sad, lonely, and cursed. Photography by Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge

Razer wants its AI assistant to be your newest gaming and work companion at CES 2026

Simon is a Computer Science BSc graduate who has been writing about technology since 2014, and using Windows machines since 3.1. After working for an indie game studio and acting as the family's go-to technician for all computer issues, he found his passion for writing and decided to use his skill set to write about all things tech. Since beginning his writing career, he has written for many different publications such as WorldStart, Listverse, and MakeTechEasier. However, after finding his home at MakeUseOf in February 2019, he has been working with it and its sister website, XDA, to bring the latest and greatest in Windows, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity topics. Summary Razer plunges into AI: most CES reveals put LLMs and AI front and center. Project AVA becomes a PC personal organizer and consultant, even a customizable 5.5" hologram. New AI hardware: Motoko LLM headphones, Forge AI dev workstation, Razer AIKit; chairs added but AI dominates. After covering a few different devices at CES 2026, it became quickly apparent that AI was the main keystone in every company's portfolio. It has been interesting to see what each manufacturer has done with the new tech; some businesses are aiming at making AI LLMs a handy tool for the working professional, while others focus on adding TOPS power to mighty OLED laptops with Nvidia GPUs for a device that can do it all. However, it seems that Razer has plunged into the deep end with AI, as the majority of its announcements put a spotlight on LLMs. Pretty much everything it announced had AI at the forefront, including the evolution of its gaming coach AI, Project AVA. Related Intel's new Panther Lake Core Ultra Series 3 chips are finally making their way to laptops Once again, the chipmaker touted the chip's improved efficiency and power. Posts By Patrick O'Rourke Project AVA will also help you with your work now Like a cool co-worker who also games with you As Razer showed off at CES 2026, the company is working on giving Project AVA an upgrade. Last year, we saw Razer introduce it as an AI-powered gaming coach that can help you improve your skills; now, the company is upgrading it to make it less of a one-trick pony and more like a general assistant for your PC. Razer aims to make Project AVA a "personal organizer" that you can use "for schedules, wardrobe tips, and dinner plans." It's also being marketed as an AI consultant, which you can use to churn through data, ask questions, and troubleshoot with. Plus, Project AVA is getting a 5.5" animated hologram avatar you can customize from your heart's content, from its personality to its appearance, which includes "esports legends." For the hardware, Razer announced Project Motoko, a pair of headphones that come with an LLM built into them as part of the company's push for wearable AI. There's also the Razer Forge AI Dev Workstation, a PC designed for AI developers to get their work done, alongside Razer AIKit, an open-source platform for managing AI clusters. Subscribe to the newsletter for deeper Razer AI coverage Gain strategic context by subscribing to the newsletter: focused coverage of Razer's AI direction, clear breakdowns of product implications, and perspective to help you interpret future announcements. Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime. If you're not interested in AI, Razer had two chairs to announce, too. Project Madison adds haptic feedback, RGB lights, and a "Scalable Audio Ecosystem" to immerse gamers to the fullest, while the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen is a regular gamer chair with lumbar support and a special material that diffuses heat away from the body. However, it does feel like Razer is putting all of its chips into AI innovation and development. We'll have to wait and see if people respond positively to the change.

Razer just revealed a desktop AI waifu hologram that coaches you while gaming

Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust. WTF?! Razer has continued its tradition of unveiling weird and (occasionally) wonderful products at CES with an AI waifu gaming-coach hologram. The device is an expansion of its Project Ava AI gaming co-pilot from last year - it can now take the holographic form of a 5.5-inch woman called Kira or a muscular tattooed man called Zane. We've seen several AI game coaches over the last 12 months. Project Ava was a concept Razer unveiled at CES 2025, when it called the AI an eSports coach. One year later, Ava has a more physical form. The device is an almost Resident Evil-style glass container. Instead of holding a mosterous virus, it creates a tiny holographic display. While the avatars will initially be limited to the thigh-high-stockings-wearing Kira and the snake-tattoo covered Zane, Razer said it plans to add more characters later, including eSports star Faker and a glowing orb of light. Razer says these avatars have natural movements, eye-tracking, facial expressions, and lip syncing. The device also has a built-in HD camera and a far-field microphone. Meanwhile, the PC Vision Mode allows the avatars to look at you and the screen. Ava isn't just there to give you tips on how to be a better gamer. Razer says it's also a true digital partner designed to support every facet of modern life. Being able to look at you offers several possibilities, like offering fashion tips and fitting advice. It can also manage your calendar and figure out your next meal. One expects that it won't be too critical - nobody wants a sexy hologram to point out the weight they've put on over the holidays. Razer has opted to use XAI's Grok model for Ava. That alone could put some people off - and make others want it more - but the company says its ultimate goal is to allow users to choose the AI model they want powering Ava. Users can also adjust the character's personality, from "bold and sassy, to calm and friendly." Based on reported hands-on demos with Ava, interacting with the hologram is pretty much the same as any AI chatbot, unsurprisingly, so you can expect plenty of nonsense and gibberish, only with a tiny person looking you in the eye as they say it. Razer says it intends to sell the desktop hologram in the second half of 2026. The company never revealed a price, but you can put down a $20 deposit now if you really want one.

Razer Made Its AI Gaming Assistant Into a Waifu Hologram

Razer is always good for a "wait, what did I just see?" moment at CES, and this year's convention is no different. At CES 2026, Razer showed off a desktop hologram meant to embody its gaming assistant, known as Project Ava. That's right, Project Ava isn't just an AI chatbot that gawks at your screen and tells you how to play games; it's now a hologram that sits on your desk and tells you how to play games. The whole thing is very Razer, to be honest, right down to the customization options. The avatar inside the hologram chamber can be preselected from a few selections, including "exclusive Razer characters" like Kira, which is the waifu-coded avatar you see here. There's also a male option called Zane, though I don't know what Zane's deal is or if he's anything like Billy Zane. There are other options, too, which include the green blob that represented Project Ava in its original iteration and also "esports legends," though I'm not sure which "legends" that includes. I asked Razer if there were plans to let people customize their avatars in the future, and it seems that's something they've considered, but for now, you have to take what Razer gives you. The addition of a camera on the hologram chamber changes the Project Ava game a little. While Ava was previously confined to just watching what was happening on your screen, Razer's AI can now watch you. The company says that the ability to see your real self opens up new possibilities like... helping you style clothes? Theoretically, it could make Project Ava feel more companion-like, too, and I suppose it could help you check if you have any residual Cheeto dust stuck on your face while you're gaming or something. As you can see, Project Ava hooks into your machine and is powered that way, though I don't know what the exact power demands are. I got a chance to chat with the hologram Ava a bit, and the experience is as wonky as chatting with any other AI chatbot out there. Sometimes it answered my questions while I was playing a Battlefield demo, and sometimes it went off on tangents that had nothing to do with what I was doing. The noise inside the room didn't help, but generally speaking, this is just the way AI chatbot-infused voice assistants are going right now. The hologram version of Project Ava is apparently running on xAI's Grok model (the one that you can interface with on X), so I'll let you make inferences there on what the experience could potentially be like. Clearly, Razer sees the hologram-ification of Ava as an expansion on what the gaming assistant can do, and is pitching the device as something that can do more general chatbot stuff, like check your email or offer you suggestions on what to eat for dinner. The wild part is that Razer seems like it actually intends to sell this desktop hologram and is projecting a release date in the second half of 2026. There's no price right now, but if you're itching for a hologram on your desk, then you can put down a $20 refundable deposit.

Razer's Project AVA might change my mind about AI companions -- here's why

Project AVA can help you score headshots in a video game or manage your busy schedule I just checked out Razer's Project AVA AI desk companion, and I'm not going to lie, it's pretty awesome. Though I'm still largely skeptical about chatbots, even I see the appeal of having an AI avatar helping you out in video games or just keeping you organized in daily life. The fact that said chatbot sits right on your desk inside a cool-looking cylinder is also kind of fun. I received a brief demonstration of Project AVA at CES 2026 to see how it works. Though this is a Razer product, you can use it for everyday purposes beyond gaming. This is actually the aspect I found most interesting, especially as AI companions are becoming more sophisticated. Having the AI provide gaming tips is really more of a bonus than a main feature for me. Here's my experience with Project AVA, along with a rundown of how it works. Project AVA is a 24/7 AI companion that's designed to live right alongside you. Razer used xAI's Grok engine to demo Project AVA, but I was told it's platform agnostic, meaning you'll be able to use other chatbots like ChatGPT to drive it. AVA has a dynamic personality that learns and evolves based on the interactions you have with it. It's brought to life as an animated 5.5-inch 3D hologram, and Razer says it uses human-like vision and audio sensing for full contextual awareness. For my demo, the companion in question was a spunky girl named Kira, but other companions will also be available. As I said before, AVA can simplify your life by doing things such as organizing your schedule, consulting with you on work tasks and, of course, being your gaming wingman. It's pretty versatile. In the demo, the Razer representative asked Kira to help him create an ideal loadout for a shooting game. The AI companion took a few seconds to respond, but when it did, it gave a detailed rundown of the gun it saw on the screen and suggested a loadout. I was told it can also show you the best routes to take on the map, and also deliver other tips to give you an edge. I asked if the AI only works with first-person shooters, and was told it can help you in any game. I'm already thinking about using AVA when I'm playing Street Fighter 6, so it can tell me how I can improve and which areas need improvement. Project AVA is trained on several languages. When I said I also speak Spanish, the Razer rep asked Kira to respond in Spanish. I then had a quick chat with it in "Gamer Spanglish" and was surprised at how accurate its responses were. Switching back to English, the rep asked Kira how to get to Samsung's booth from our location, and it gave detailed directions. I was very impressed by Project AVA's accurate and lifelike responses. Again, I'm not exactly an AI proponent, but even I have to admit that Project AVA can be legitimately helpful for life and gaming. In fact, I'm actually more interested in the life assistant aspect, even though I'm a huge gamer. There's no solid release date for Razer Project AVA, but I was told it will launch in "calendar year 2026." Pricing also hasn't been disclosed. You can reserve one now, and it will ship around the launch window. You can rest assured I'll review this device when it's out, so stay tuned!

CES 2026: Razer's AI gaming assistant, Project Ava, has a physical form now

Making AI companions and assistants feel more real, more physically present, has become one of the defining themes of CES this year. Razer, unsurprisingly, is a prisoner of that moment, showcasing a more tangible version of Project Ava at CES 2026. For those who need a refresher, Project Ava is Razer's real-time gaming co-pilot: an AI assistant that essentially acts as a backseat gamer for you. While you're playing, Ava -- represented here by a character named Kira -- offers live advice, tips, and commentary, overlaid directly on your screen as the game unfolds. It's coaching, but with a personality and a face. Razer technically showed off Project Ava at last year's CES, but that early demo was almost aggressively abstract. Instead of a character, it was mostly lines of code and system diagrams, with Razer walking through how the AI processed gameplay data and generated commands in real-time. Useful, sure, but not exactly something you could imagine sitting next to you during a late-night gaming session. This year's version is clearly about making the concept feel less like a backend experiment and more like a presence. Whether that makes having an AI critique your gameplay more helpful or more annoying is another question entirely. The new Project Ava hardware is a cylindrical desktop device with a transparent outer shell that displays a full-body, animated character inside. A camera is mounted at the top of the unit, facing outward, while the base features a perforated, patterned platform that gives the character a sense of depth. The bottom ring glows in Razer's signature green and is branded with the company logo. Designed to sit next to a laptop or monitor, the device functions as a dedicated display for the AI assistant, keeping it separate from the game screen rather than overlaying it on gameplay. The character Razer demoed is called Kira, though she's far from the only option. Other presets include Zane, a sharply dressed, extremely large man with a massive snake tattoo running down his arm. Very much the kind of character that feels ripped straight from something you'd find on BookTok. According to Razer, these avatars will be customizable, including the ability to create your own from scratch. The company has also partnered with influencers to offer character likenesses, including esports pro Faker, signaling that Project Ava is as much about personality and fandom as it is about utility. As with most CES demos, the room was aggressively loud, which made it hard for the AI to consistently pick up voice commands. We spent most of the demo parked in the Battlefield 6 loadout customization screen, asking Kira for advice on which guns and gadgets would make the most sense for the next round. Given the circumstances, it worked well enough, and the recommendations were solid for what they were (and yes, running frag grenades over stuns for the assault class is the correct call). Outside of gaming, Razer says it's expanded Project Ava's capabilities beyond just backseat coaching. The company claims the AI can now offer advice on non-gaming tasks as well, with Ava still appearing as an on-screen overlay while you work. In practice, that means Project Ava is inching closer to the same general-purpose assistance other AI tools promise, but with gamer branding now. There's still no release date for Project Ava, though Razer says it's targeting a vague sometime this year.

Project Ava is a desktop AI assistant that promises to watch your every move to offer both gaming advice and 'wardrobe tips'

You'll know Razer for their slick gaming chairs, headsets with an earful of charm, and much more besides. Now, the company revealed during CES 2026 that it's taking its black-green theme to the fresh frontier of... AI assistants. A concept model of Project Ava was first unveiled during CES last year, billing the AI assistant as an esports coach (or, as Jacob astutely put it then, a 'backseat gaming AI bot'). This year, it's venturing from the realm of software and acquiring a physical form, with Razer announcing plans to bring Project Ava to a desk near you as an animated, holographic 'desk companion'. The desk companion version of Project Ava looks not unlike the sort of sci-fi container where many a wayward life form has inevitably found itself. Test tube looks aside, the headline act of this hardware is the holographic display in the middle. The device also deploys an HD camera with eye-tracking, plus a far-field mic to fulfill its coaching duties. PC Vision Mode means the device can even look at your screen in order to give real-time advice -- but this version of Project Ava won't just be offering questionable gaming pointers. Razer instead bills the desk companion as "a true digital partner designed to support every facet of modern life." In other words, Project Ava is now both a backseat gaming bot as well as an especially fancy personal digital assistant. Razer goes on to say, "Ava combines intelligence with personality for an experience that feels natural, engaging, and personal." That personal touch comes in the form of, as you may have already guessed, animated holographic avatars on that luscious little screen. I've yet to see Project Ava go full 'tiny anime woman trapped in a cyber prison,' but this desk companion will offer a selection of live looks. These include Razer's original characters Kira and Zane, as well as avatars representing 'esports legends'. You can also adjust the tenor of Ava's avatar, choosing from "bold and sassy, to calm and friendly." These holograms are only about 5.5 inches tall, but deploy eye-tracking, facial animations, and lip syncing to get their proffered 'personality' across. For some (i.e. me) that's creepy enough, but Razer also touts Project Ava's adaptive AI. This means that not only does the holographic desk companion remember your previously set preferences and can help assist with organising daily tasks, but it can even offer "wardrobe tips". I'm not sure I'm ready for the shame of a tiny animated woman yelling, "You're not going out looking like that, are you?" Project Ava is expected to offer everything from recipe tips to gaming strats in the second half of 2026. If you're a US-based gamer and the idea of Project Ava spying on your screen in order to give you gaming advice doesn't immediately give you the willies, you can reserve your own desk companion for $20 right now.

Razer has created an animated holographics AI companion that sits on your desk

TL;DR: Razer's Project AVA, showcased at CES 2026, is an innovative on-desk AI companion featuring animated avatars with eye tracking, facial expressions, and full-body animation. Equipped with PC Vision Mode, it interacts with your screen to summarize content, offer gaming advice, and manage schedules, targeting a late 2026 release. Razer's Project AVA has evolved since its debut at CES 2025, when it was presented as an AI companion in the form of an esports coach. At CES 2026, Project AVA has evolved into a flexible on-desk AI companion that pairs with a PC or laptop. With digital AI avatars a very real thing, the big thing with Project AVA is that it takes the avatar off your display and puts it into a small transparent cylinder that sits on your desk. And with multiple character avatars to choose from, Project AVA comes to life (so to speak) as a 5-inch animated character with eye tracking, facial expressions, lip-syncing, and full-body animation. The Project AVA unit includes a full HD camera so it can see you and respond to its surroundings. At CES 2026, we got to see a demo of Project AVA that responded to what someone was wearing and provided real-time weather information when asked. However, what makes it interesting and impressive is the addition of PC Vision Mode. This allows Project AVA to see what's on your screen, where it can summarize a document, offer advice on what weapon to use during your next round of Battlefield 6, and even help manage your schedule. Getting to see the different characters and avatars on display at CES 2026 as holograms that look at you and talk to you is impressive, and pretty much feels exactly like you're in the middle of a sci-fi film or game. In fact, as one of the biggest names in gaming hardware, Razer also told us that it's engaging with game developers to include their characters as optional avatars. Nothing was confirmed beyond talks, but you can imagine that having an AI companion from League of Legends, Overwatch, Valorant, or Apex Legends, sitting there as a hologram on your desk would be pretty awesome. Razer has confirmed that Project AVA is on track for a second-half of 2026 release.

CES 2026: Razer's Project Ava Brings an Echo-Like Holographic AI Assistant

Users can choose from six different gaming and anime-inspired avatars Razer, a California-based gaming hardware, peripherals, and software company, announced its entry into the artificial intelligence (AI) devices category on Tuesday. The company unveiled Project Ava, an AI-powered holographic device, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026, which is said to act as a physical desktop companion for users. The gaming company highlighted that the device is aimed at bridging the gap between virtual assistance and physical companionship. The biggest highlight of the device is a miniature 3D digital avatar that reacts and interacts with the user. Razer Project Ava Unveiled at CES 2026 In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), Razer introduced Project Ava as an "all-in-one AI companion." The device is essentially a voice-based AI chatbot combined with a holographic device, but it is an idea that has not been experimented with much in the mainstream. The company is pitching the device as a "digital partner that lives right alongside the user," merging the reasoning and intuitiveness of AI with the tangibility of an avatar. The cylindrical device has transparent glass-like walls. Once activated, a 5.5-inch digital avatar appears within this space. As per the official website, there are six different gaming and anime-inspired avatars to choose from. Ava is a glowing energy ball with a calm personality; Kira is a supportive anime girl; Zane is described as a gaming wingman; Faker is an e-sports wiz; and Sao is designed as a character inspired by South Korean idols. The device comes equipped with a dual far-field microphone array, an HD camera with an ambient light sensor, down-firing speakers, customisable showcase LEDs, RGB lighting, and a USB-C port for power and data transfer. Razer stated that the AI capabilities come from xAI's Grok and that the device can perform most of the tasks the chatbot can. On the website, some of the use cases mention that Project Ava can "proactively manage your calendar, wardrobe selection, or figure out what to eat that night" or "track habits, moods, and provide personalised motivation and reminders for your self-care routines." However, the main focus of the device is towards gaming tasks. Designed specifically for Windows users, Project Ava can connect to a Windows PC via a USB-C cable to analyse screen content with minimal latency. The cable is necessary for the AI assistant to assist users with whatever appears on their screens. Notably, Project Ava can now be reserved by paying $20 (roughly Rs. 1,800), and shipping is expected to start in the second half of 2026. Razer has not revealed the price of the device or if a subscription will be required to access the AI features.

GRTV News - Razer is looking to replace your friends with AI

"Hello everyone and welcome back to another GRTV News, today we're going to be talking a little bit about CES, the Consumer Electronics something, I can't remember what the actual CES stands for." "But anyway, the reason why we're going to talk about it is because obviously this week is full of innovations and interesting new developments, one of which is coming from Razer who in the past have revealed this idea of making an AI gaming assistant called Project Ava." "Now they've shown it off again at CES and the big catch here is that, well, now it has a physical body. So basically they're trying to make this proper sort of ideal companion I guess, that somewhat resembles what we see in sort of these futuristic cyberpunk-y type worlds, like for example Ana de Armas' character in Blade Runner 2049." "And yeah, now Project Ava is looking to replace your best friend I guess, so I don't know, let's take a look. But yes, Razer's AI gaming assistant now has a physical body, instead of popping up as an overlay on your monitor, Razer's latest version of Project Ava lives inside a small desktop device with a clear shell." "Before we move on, if you are interested in more CES stuff we do have our CES page, which is up here now, so there's that. Anyway, if there's a single theme running through CES 2026 it's that AI is trying very hard to feel more real and that it doesn't want to stay trapped inside screens anymore." "Razer's latest version of Project Ava leans directly into that idea by giving its AI gaming assistant a physical form, turning what was once background software into something that sits right next to your screen. Now Project Ava acts like a backseat game, offering advice and suggestions while you play instead of popping up as an overlay on your monitor." "The new version lives inside a small desktop device with a clear shell, as you can see in the video below. Inside is an animated character that talks, reacts and offers tips in real time, making the experience feel more like gaming with a companion than a consulting tool." "Razer also says these characters will be customisable with different personalities and even influencer inspired options. Whether that sounds helpful or mildly annoying probably depends on the player. There's still no release date but Project Ava fits neatly into that broader CES trend, AI stepping out of the background and into our physical spaces and asking us whether we actually want the company." "What do you think about this new version of Project Ava? Now I won't, I'll just mute that quickly. The big thing is about AI companions, right, but as you can see in this video, it's more than that." "It's like creeping into your personal life, offering you advice about sort of clothes that you should wear for the day ahead and stuff like that. So yeah, it's unusual really. Some people have come out and, you know, asked the question is like, is this, is this real? Is this really something that's happening or is Razer sort of pulling our leg here? But no, it's very real and it's something that Razer is very much committing to." "So Project Ava will be taking the world by storm at some point. No doubt we'll have more about this in the near future, so stay tuned for more on Project Ava. But for the time being, again, if you're looking for more CES news, we have loads of it filling up the site over the next couple of days and for the weeks ahead and whatnot."

Razor's Project AVA is a Holographic AI Companion for Your Desk

Project AVA is now open for pre-booking with a $20 fee and it's expected to launch in the second half of 2026. Razor is bringing your Blade Runner-stye holographic AI dreams to life this year. At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026, the gaming peripheral company showcased its upcoming product, called Project AVA. It is a holographic 24/7 companion that can help with your everyday tasks, as well as guide you in games. And you can reserve it for just $20. As Razor explains on its website, Project AVA, "features a dynamic personality that learns and evolves based on your interactions. Brought to life as an animated 5.5'' 3D hologram, she uses human-like vision and audio sensing for full contextual awareness. AVA simplifies life by organizing your schedule, consulting on work tasks, and guiding you to victory as your enthusiastic gaming wingman." It looks similar to a 1st-gen Amazon Echo, with a jar-like design. It features dual mics at the top, alongside an HD camera and a down-firing speaker at the bottom. Project AVA is built specifically for Windows machines and, "requires a direct connection to a Windows PC via a USB-C cable." This allows the AI companion to see the contents of your screen and provide real-time assistance in the games you are playing. The AI companion is designed to be dynamic, changing its interaction based on your mood and habit. The 3D avatars have been developed in partnership with Animation Inc. and are powered by xAI's Grok, who also powers AI companions like Ani. However, Razor has clarified on its website that, "AVA is built with an open, future-ready architecture intended to support compatibility with other leading AI platforms." This 5.5-inch holographic AI companion has a lot of people excited, and the internet is going crazy over the product already. Razer has already opened pre-bookings for Project AVA, and you can reserve one for yourself with just $20. The exact price and release date remain unclear at this point, but Razor has mentioned that Project AVA is expected to launch in the second half of 2026. Apart from that, Razor also unveiled an AI headset called Project Motoko featuring cameras which will act like a real-time AI assistant.