CES 2026: Meet RocX, the handheld camera with 50x zoom AI tracking

Generative AI platforms, AI assistants, AI-powered everything can be found at CES 2026.

But, the best AI use cases I've come across at the show are more practical applications of AI, like the RocX camera from a startup called Farseer. 

The RocX is a long-distance view AI tracking camera. AI-tracking systems for cameras are really starting to take off lately. AI tracking basically enables cameras to automatically follow a specific object so that it's always in view of the camera. 

However, what makes the RocX unique is that it's really leaning into the long-distance view capabilities of the device with its 50x zoom. AI-tracking following an object on screen is one thing. To be able to do so from long-distances and with the object zoomed in on is a more challenging task, but the RocX appeared to be able to pull it off from the short demo that I experienced at CES.

For the demo at CES, RocX brought a fake bird attached to a tripod that was attached to a remote control vehicle. The Farseer team, which is made up of ex-DJI engineers, would then move the bird around the room with the remote control. The RocX in handheld mode would spin on its handle, follow the bird around, and always make sure it was in the field of view for the camera.

The RocX tracking camera and recording camera are all one single device, which is interesting because other tracking solutions have previously separated the two cameras. The videos taken by the RocX at CES also appeared to be very clear, even when zoomed in, in 4K resolution.

While RocX has been heavily marketed by Farseer for its bird watching and animal tracking abilities — both modes pre-programmed in the device — it also says its for any long-distance recording situation such as following the action while recording sports.

RocX comes in two different bundles, one with a handle for handheld use with the RocX camera and the other with a gimbal, so that the RocX tracking system can be used with your DSLR or mirrorless camera. Basically, using the latter system, the RocX camera sits atop your DSLR or mirrorless camera, with both attached to the gimbal. The RocX camera acts as the tracking camera and relays the movement to the gimbal, which pans to follow the tracked object, making sure your DSLR or mirrorless camera is always recording that object.

The RocX will launch on Kickstarter and will be released in the coming months with a retail price around $500.

Head to the Mashable CES 2026 hub for the latest news and live updates from the biggest show in tech, where Mashable journalists are reporting live.