California-based gaming hardware, peripherals and software company Razer on Tuesday announced its entry into the artificial intelligence (AI) device category. The company launched Project Ava, an artificial intelligence-powered holographic device at the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that it claims can act as a physical desktop companion for users. The gaming company emphasizes that the device is designed to bridge the gap between virtual assistance and physical companionship. The biggest highlight of the device is a tiny 3D digital avatar that can react and interact with the user.
Razer Project Ava unveiled at CES 2026
In a post on X (formerly 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 the idea hasn’t seen much experimentation in the mainstream. The company positions the device as a “digital partner that lives with the user,” blending the reasoning and intuitiveness of artificial intelligence with the tangibility of an avatar.
The cylindrical device has transparent glass-like walls. Once activated, a 5.5-inch digital avatar appears in the space. According to the official website, there are six different gaming and anime-style avatars to choose from. Ava is a glowing ball of energy with a calm personality; Kira is a supportive anime girl; Zane is described as a gaming wingman; Faker is an esports prodigy; and Sao’s design is inspired by Korean idols.
The device features dual far-field microphone arrays, an HD camera with ambient light sensor, down-firing speakers, customizable display LEDs, RGB lighting, and a USB-C port for power and data transfer. Razer says the AI capabilities come from xAI’s Grok, a device that can perform most of the tasks a chatbot can.
On the website, some use cases mention Project Ava can “proactively manage your calendar, wardrobe choices, or figure out what to eat that night” or “track habits, moods, and provide personalized motivation and reminders for your self-care routines.”
However, the main focus of this device is gaming tasks. Designed for Windows users, Project Ava can connect to a Windows PC via a USB-C cable to analyze screen content with minimal latency. The AI assistant needs this cable to help users process whatever is displayed on the screen.
Notably, Project Ava is now available for pre-order by paying $20 (roughly Rs. 1,800) and shipping is expected to begin in the second half of 2026. Razer has not yet revealed how much the device will cost, or whether a subscription will be required to access the AI features.
Get the latest from the Consumer Electronics Show with technology shout in our CES 2026 hub.