Gadronics Robotic dogs are becoming a CES staple, but Vbot’s SuperDog is one of the few we’ve seen on the show floor that genuinely feels different, and not just because it looks like something that wandered out of a near-future sci-fi film.
Unveiled at CES 2026, SuperDog is Vbot’s take on a fully autonomous companion robot, designed to move naturally around people, understand intent, and actually do things beyond tech demos. And yes, seeing it in person makes all the difference.
At first glance, SuperDog looks friendlier than most robo-dogs. The body is rounded, soft-edged, and deliberately non-industrial, with none of the exposed mechanics that make some robot dogs feel faintly threatening.
That doesn’t stop it from being capable, though. On the show floor, it confidently followed staff members, adjusted its pace to match humans, and navigated busy spaces without looking confused or bumping into people.
The legs are a big part of that. SuperDog uses all-terrain legs designed to handle real-world stairs — not just flat demo platforms — with proportions matched to standard stair heights found globally.
Watching it climb steps smoothly, without the awkward hesitations you often see from wheeled robots, made it clear why Vbot went this route. Wheels would have been simpler, but legs make this feel far more “dog-like” in motion.
It’s also strong. SuperDog is built to carry loads, whether that’s shopping bags, gear, or equipment, and it’s powered by Vbot’s proprietary high-torque motors and a large battery rated for more than five hours of outdoor use. In practical terms, that means it’s designed to stay with you for an entire afternoon out, not just a short indoor demo.
What really sets SuperDog apart, though, is how it understands space and people. It’s packed with sensors, including 360-degree LiDAR, depth cameras, UWB positioning, and a directional microphone array, all processed locally using a serious on-device computer. There’s no reliance on cloud processing here, which makes its reactions feel immediate and, frankly, a bit uncanny.
You can talk to it naturally, using simple commands like “follow,” “bring,” or “show,” and it figures out how to execute those requests on its own. That includes repositioning itself for hands-free filming, guiding someone through a space, or escorting users along paths outdoors. It’s less a remote-controlled gadget, more an autonomous assistant, which is impressive, and slightly unsettling, in equal measure.
And yes, it can dance. We saw that too. Whether that makes it charming or nightmare fuel probably depends on how you feel about robots with personality.
Vbot is positioning SuperDog as everything from a home helper and safety companion to a child-friendly assistant and outdoor partner. After seeing it in action, that doesn’t feel like pure marketing fluff. It’s still very much a CES prototype glimpse of the future — but it’s one of the more convincing ones.
SuperDog may not be something you’ll see wandering your neighbourhood just yet, but if socially intelligent robots are coming into our homes, this is a pretty strong indication of what they might look like. And how they might quietly watch you while you sleep.
