At a Glance
- Razer’s Project Ava is a glass-jar hologram companion that talks back via Grok AI.
- $20 refundable reservation is open now; vague release window is second-half 2026.
- Company admits specs, characters, and AI model details are still undecided.
- Why it matters: Early adopters are paying to wait in line for a product Razer hasn’t fully defined.
Razer used CES 2026 to unveil Project Ava, a desktop hologram of an anime-style “waifu” or “husbando” that chats with users through conversational AI. The catch: the PC peripheral giant has no firm launch date, price, or finalized technical details, yet it is already charging enthusiasts $20 to reserve a unit.
What Project Ava Promises
The device squeezes a small, light-field hologram inside a clear cylinder. Owners can pick either a female cat-girl avatar or a male equivalent. The figure is designed to serve as a gaming coach and all-day desk companion, answering questions and reacting to on-screen play.
During a hands-on demo, the hologram waved, blinked, and delivered canned encouragement. A built-in microphone listens for voice prompts; a speaker inside the base returns replies generated by xAI’s Grok model. Razer claims the tone is “more human-like” than rival chatbots because Grok keeps fewer guardrails.
What Razer Won’t Commit To
In an interview on The Verge‘s Decoder podcast, co-founder and CEO Min-Liang Tan conceded major blanks remain:
- Final hardware specifications
- Which AI size variant will ship
- Complete roster of licensed characters
- Exact preorder date or retail price
Tan called the current campaign a “reservation” system, not a preorder. “We have not disclosed the actual specs of the product, and not even, for example, which character models, or even which model it’s gonna be running at this point in time. We’re leaving that absolutely open,” he said.
Pay Now, Details Later
The $20 fee secures a place in line and is fully refundable. Razer’s product page warns that demand may outstrip supply, implying only early reserve holders are guaranteed delivery. After specifications are revealed, the deposit converts to a binding preorder ahead of the second-half 2026 release window.
In an email to News Of Austin, a spokesperson wrote: “The $20 reservation for Project Ava is a refundable deposit towards the final purchase price of the product. We will have more information on pre-orders for Project Ava in the future and look forward to sharing more information soon.”
Grok Under the Hood
Razer selected Elon Musk’s Grok over Microsoft Copilot, OpenAI, or in-house software. Representatives told News Of Austin the choice was purely conversational: Grok “had the best conversational model that helped it sound more human-like.”
The move raises eyebrows. Grok has drawn criticism on X (formerly Twitter) for discussing fringe topics and generating non-consensual sexual imagery. Tan brushed off those concerns, praising the model’s tone. “My focus to date has been more in terms of what’s the best conversational model that we’ve got, and they’re great, they’re fantastic,” he said.
Gaming Coach Put to the Test
Razer’s demo station loaded Battlefield 6 target-practice mode to show Ava’s coaching chops. When asked how to manage recoil, the hologram offered generic encouragement rather than weapon-specific tips. The limitation mirrors complaints leveled at Microsoft’s Gaming Copilot, which remains in beta and occasionally lacks basic control knowledge for first-party Xbox titles.
Esports Cameo Still Possible
Tan confirmed Razer is courting professional players to lend their faces and voices to future character packs. No contracts have been signed, and royalty structures are undecided. The feature would let fans keep a miniature, interactive version of their favorite streamer on their desk.
Sibling Concept: Project Motoko
Razer also teased Project Motoko, a pair of AI-enhanced headphones loaded with outward-facing cameras. Like Ava, Motoko was paraded as a concept with a pledge to become real “eventually.” Tan offered no timeline or pricing for the headset.
Skepticism on the Floor
Reporters at CES questioned the need for a dedicated hologram gadget when existing PCs already run AI companions. The device reprises familiar tech: animated avatars have appeared in everything from desktop strippers to VTuber rigs, while chatbots saturate phones and browsers. Razer’s spin is to trap the experience inside a collectible figurine that can’t browse away.
Market Strategy
By opening reservations early, Razer secures cash flow and gauges demand before locking bill-of-material costs. The approach follows the playbook used for limited-run gaming peripherals, where scarcity drives collector fervor. Whether mainstream gamers share the enthusiasm is unclear.
Key Takeaways
- Project Ava exists as a functional prototype but remains in flux.
- $20 reserves a spot; final price, specs, and character lineup are TBA.
- Grok AI powers conversation, chosen for tone over safety track record.
- Razer pins release sometime after June 2026, pending consumer feedback.
Early adopters are effectively funding development of a product whose feature list is still written in pencil.
