An entrepreneur from Uzbekistan built an AI gadget and conquered CES 2026 in the US

Nasim Nosirov, San Francisco city, founder of Obround, LinkedIn

How it all began

We are a startup from Central Asia, Uzbekistan. Our goal is to create AI-powered wearable devices that expand human capabilities and simplify interaction with technology. We noticed that almost everyone is building AI products right now: earbuds, glasses, fitness trackers, and much more. We wanted to bring all of these technologies together into one universal product, built around a familiar utility — something people use every day and that will never go out of style.

We started by carefully developing the product concept, defining its features and key benefits for users. After that, we filed a patent for both the product and its design.

The team

At the moment, our team has five people: two Software Engineers, two Hardware Engineers, and one SMM manager, each of whom plays a key role in building and promoting the product.

Target audience

Our product is suitable for everyone — people of any age and interests. The idea was to create a universal solution that people use in everyday life. Earbuds, fitness trackers, and AI elements are already familiar to people, and our product brings all of that together in a single device.

On challenges

The main difficulties are related to the hardware side of the product: fitting all the components and features into one device was not easy. There are also challenges in marketing: explaining the full potential of the gadget to users in a way that makes them understand it is not just “another AI earbud” or “just another assistant device.”

Achievements

Despite all the difficulties — and the fact that our startup is hardware-based and B2C-oriented — we achieved a great deal in just four months: we filed a patent for the product, completed the software side, and prepared to participate in CES — one of the largest technology and startup exhibitions in the world, where the latest innovations from more than 100 countries are presented.

At CES, we introduced our prototype to a wide audience, received the first feedback from experts and investors, built valuable connections, and attracted the attention of the international community — all without any external funding. In the first two days, more than 350 people signed up for our pre-order waitlist. For us, these are not just numbers — they are genuine momentum and confirmation that we are on the right path.

Plans

We plan to reach a mass audience, unlock the full potential of the product, and communicate its value clearly. We also want to attract investors to scale the startup and continue developing the product. Going forward, we plan to expand functionality, integrate new AI technologies, and create additional solutions for everyday use — so that the product remains universal and useful for people of all ages and interests.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​