LAS VEGAS — The global artificial intelligence (AI) frenzy has stolen the spotlight at the mobility zone at CES 2026, once dominated by concept cars and hardware that assists drivers. Fewer carmakers were seen promoting futuristic concept vehicles, apparently due to this rapid technological paradigm shift. Instead, they focused on showcasing their software-dedicated visions and strategies amid the rise of physical AI. Hyundai Motor Group has arguably drawn the most attention at this year’s mobility zone, but that was driven by the carmaker’s renewed AI strategy converging with robotics, rather than its technologies related to automobiles. The carmaker's auto hardware moved out of the spotlight as the company shifted its focus onto physical AI by showcasing a diverse lineup of AI-powered robots, such as the Atlas humanoid robot. This was not the case two years earlier, when Kia unveiled its much-hyped plan to tap into the industry of purpose-built vehicles (PBVs). PBVs feature interchangeable upper bodies, so vehicles can be transformed for multiple purposes by changing their top mo