Razer Enters the AI Companion Race With Project AVA at CES 2026
Razer’s Project AVA is a customizable hologram AI desk companion revealed at CES 2026, evolving from a gaming coach into a personalized assistant for work, gaming, and daily life, with $20 reservations now open.
Project AVA is Razer’s bold step into the future of physical AI companions, a 5-inch animated hologram AI desk companion that lives on your desk, revealed at CES 2026.
Project AVA transforms the idea of an AI assistant into something you can actually see, interact with, and personalize, which starts with a $20 reservation deposit.
Originally introduced at CES 2025 as an esports-focused AI coach, Project AVA has now evolved into a fully integrated AI desk companion designed for gaming, productivity, and everyday life.
What is Project AVA?
Project AVA is a groundbreaking AI desk companion developed by Razer that projects a 5-inch animated hologram capable of interacting with you in real time.
Unlike traditional chatbot assistants that live on your phone or computer screen, Project AVA brings AI into your physical space as a customizable holographic presence that can help with everyday tasks, gaming, productivity, and more.
Key Highlights of Project AVA
- Holographic AI Companion – A 5-inch animated 3D hologram that lives on your desk, which features expressive avatars like Kira, Faker, SAO, and Zane.
- Adaptive AI Intelligence – Learns your preferences over time using eye-tracking, camera input, and contextual awareness; powered by Grok AI.
- Everyday and Gaming Support – Helps with schedules, reminders, translations, brainstorming, data analysis, and real-time gaming strategies.
- Personalized Interaction – Customize avatars and personality styles, from calm and friendly to bold and sassy.
SAO is the most charismatic face of Project AVA, designed to feel like a true digital idol brought to life. With expressive holographic animations, natural eye contact, and a warm, engaging presence, SAO lets you connect on a personal level with an idol that’s captured hearts everywhere.
Key Considerations of Having a Project AVA
These are the key considerations of having a digital assistant on your desk with whom you can interact:
1. From Esports Coach to Digital Desk Partner
Project AVA is no longer “just” for gamers. While it still excels at real-time gaming strategies, AVA now positions itself as a digital partner, which is capable of organizing schedules, analyzing data, translating conversations, and even hyping you up during intense gaming sessions.
Razer describes AVA as an AI that blends intelligence with personality, which aims to feel less like a chatbot and more like a presence.
2. Animated Hologram Avatars You Can Customize
One of Project AVA’s biggest differentiators is its animated holographic avatars. Users can choose from five different hologram bodies, including exclusive Razer characters like Kira, SAO, FAKER, AVA, and Zane, as well as esports-inspired personalities.
The hologram features:
- Natural body movement and gestures
- Eye tracking and facial expressions
- Lip-syncing for realistic conversations
You can also select personality styles, ranging from bold and sassy to calm and friendly, making AVA feel uniquely yours.
3. Adaptive AI That Learns You
Project AVA runs on xAI’s Grok AI, with plans to support additional AI platforms in the future. What sets it apart is its adaptive learning engine, which remembers your preferences and habits over time.
Key intelligence features include:
- Contextual awareness via HD camera and far-field microphones
- Eye-tracking for more natural interactions
- PC Vision Mode, allowing AVA to “see” your screen and offer real-time advice, whether you’re gaming, editing spreadsheets, or brainstorming ideas
This makes AVA feel proactive rather than reactive.
4. Beyond Gaming: Everyday AI Assistance
While gamers will appreciate AVA’s ability to analyze gameplay, suggest strategies, and solve puzzles, its real strength lies beyond gaming.
Project AVA can act as:
- A personal organizer for schedules, reminders, wardrobe suggestions, and meal planning
- An AI consultant for brainstorming, data analysis, and creative problem-solving
- A productivity companion that tracks moods and adapts responses accordingly
Razer is careful to position AVA as a supportive assistant, not a romantic or NSFW AI, clearly distancing it from more controversial AI companion offerings on the market.
5. Pricing, Availability, and Reservation
Razer has not yet announced the final retail price of Project AVA. However, users can reserve one now with a $20 deposit, with shipping expected in the second half of 2026.
This low-cost reservation signals Razer’s confidence in demand and its intent to make AI companions more mainstream.
Is Project AVA Worth Having?
Project AVA represents a major shift in how we interact with AI assistants. By giving artificial intelligence a physical, holographic presence, Razer is betting that the future of AI isn’t hidden behind apps, but sitting right on your desk.
If Razer delivers on its promises of adaptive intelligence, personalization, and real-world usefulness, Project AVA could become one of the most talked-about AI devices of 2026 and a glimpse into how digital companions may soon become part of everyday life.
