DIC Corporation (TOKYO:4631), a leading global specialty chemicals manufacturer, has confirmed its participation in CES 2026, one of the world’s most influential technology trade shows. The company’s presence at the event, scheduled to take place from January 6 to 9, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada, marks its second consecutive year exhibiting. Under the theme of “Signals,” DIC will showcase prototypes of three cutting-edge products that illustrate its ambition to move “Direct to Society”—a strategy focused on transcending the conventional boundaries of chemicals manufacturing to deliver direct societal value.
The Evolution of the Chemicals Sector
The role of the chemicals industry, which is foundational to modern social infrastructure, is on the cusp of significant transformation. Driven by the rapid advancement of communications technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), chemicals companies are increasingly seeking new avenues for innovation. DIC’s “Direct to Society” mechanism is designed to proactively engage with this shift. The mechanism emphasizes looking outward to anticipate future needs across diverse sectors and creating an ecosystem of novel businesses that intentionally overlap traditional industry and sector lines. The goal is to develop and deploy targeted solutions that provide immediate and meaningful value to end-users and communities.
DIC’s Momentum from CES 2025
DIC made its debut at CES 2025, where it first introduced the HAGAMOSphere® omnidirectional multicopter prototype. This initial entry garnered critical acclaim, resulting in the company being designated a CES Innovation Awards® 2025 Honoree in the Drones category. The HAGAMOSphere’s innovative engineering, which allows it to both fly and roll, captured considerable attention not only from engineers but also from professionals in global marketing, creative fields, and the media. This successful launch has set the stage for DIC’s expanded presence at CES 2026.
Spotlight on Three Core Prototypes
For its 2026 exhibit, DIC will unveil a new, advanced model of its award-winning drone alongside two other innovative prototypes. These three products are intended to demonstrate the substantial potential of the company’s emerging business ventures. The event will serve as the global debut for the HAGAMOSphere® 2.0 next-generation multicopter and the international debut for both MoR™ and Tacthancer™.
Next-Generation Robotics and Sensing
MoR™ – Multifunctional Robotic Finger
MoR™, which stands for multifunctional robotic finger, represents a breakthrough in robotic manipulation by integrating sensing capabilities directly into its structure. Unlike conventional robotic fingers that rely on internal cameras or external sensors for object recognition and grasping, MoR™ incorporates sensor functions into its curved surface using 3D molded interconnect device (3D-MID) technology.
This design enables the robotic finger to directly detect the shape and texture of objects, ranging from delicate items like soft food to rigid metal parts, and automatically adjust its grip accordingly. The self-contained sensing and operational capacity of MoR™ makes it suitable for deployment in environments previously inaccessible to typical robotic systems. This innovation is expected to find broad application across numerous industries, including semiconductor and food manufacturing, as well as laboratory automation.
Tacthancer™ – Tactile Sensitivity Enhancer
The Tacthancer™ tactile sensitivity enhancer is a simple yet powerful tool that dramatically improves a user’s ability to detect subtle surface flaws. It utilizes a novel sensing technology that allows individuals to perceive anomalies that would normally be imperceptible to the unaided human sense of touch.
Notably, Tacthancer’s design is passive, meaning it is wearable on the hand and requires no external power source for its core function. Beyond simply enhancing tactile sensitivity, the device can be combined with electronic sensors to record data on any detected anomalies. This high potential for integration means Tacthancer could unlock a wide range of new applications for physical sensing and quality control across various fields.
Advanced Aerial Mobility
HAGAMOSphere® 2.0 – Omnidirectional Multicopter
The HAGAMOSphere® 2.0 next-generation omnidirectional multicopter is the highly anticipated successor to the CES Innovation Awards Honoree. It maintains the unique dual functionality of its predecessor—the ability to both fly and roll—but has been engineered for enhanced durability and performance in challenging conditions.
The key upgrade in the 2.0 model is the implementation of a tilt-rotor system, which facilitates multiple operational modes. This enhancement allows the drone to withstand stronger winds, navigate rougher terrain, and carry a higher payload. DIC is strategically developing the HAGAMOSphere 2.0 to address critical social challenges, with potential use cases including infrastructure inspection, weather observation, and the collection of vital information at disaster sites.
Strategic Objectives for CES 2026
DIC’s decision to return to CES underscores the event’s importance as a global platform for technology and innovation. By participating, the company aims to achieve several key strategic objectives:
- Technology Promotion: Broadly showcase DIC’s advanced materials, solutions, and engineering capabilities across diverse industries.
- Partnership Discovery: Identify and connect with potential business partners, collaborators, and investors from the international technology community.
- Value Proposition: Present a clear vision of the new value that a modern, integrated chemicals company can deliver to a technology-driven global society, firmly establishing DIC’s role beyond traditional manufacturing and into advanced innovation.
The debut of these three prototypes at CES 2026 is a concrete demonstration of DIC’s “Direct to Society” mechanism in action, signaling its commitment to driving meaningful change through technological innovation.
About DIC Corporation
DIC Corporation is one of the world’s leading fine chemicals companies and the core of the DIC Group, a multinational organization comprising over 170 companies, including Sun Chemical Corporation, across more than 60 countries and territories. The DIC Group is recognized as a global leader in the markets for various essential products, notably packaging materials, display materials for televisions and computers, and high-performance materials for smartphones, digital devices, and automobiles. Through these products, the Group endeavors to deliver safety, peace of mind, color and comfort, to people everywhere. The DIC Group is also committed to contributing to a sustainable society by developing innovative products that respond to social changes and address social imperatives. With annual consolidated net sales exceeding ¥1 trillion and over 21,000 employees worldwide, the Group pledges to continue working closely with its customer globally. Website: https://www.dic-global.com/en/
