When worsening weather threatened air travel ahead of the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Bucket Robotics founder and CEO Matt Puchalski opted for certainty over convenience.

Rather than risk delayed flights for his small team, Puchalski rented a Hyundai Santa Fe, packed the company’s exhibition materials inside, and drove from California to Las Vegas.

The journey took nearly 12 hours through heavy rain, but both the equipment and the founder arrived safely in time for the show. “It was tight,” Puchalski joked on the bustling CES show floor, reflecting on the packed vehicle that carried their hopes to Nevada.

The successful arrival marked a major milestone for San Francisco–based Bucket Robotics, a Y Combinator-backed startup attending CES for the first time.

Amid thousands of exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge technologies, the young company occupied a modest space in the automotive-focused West Hall.

Despite its small footprint, Puchalski said the experience proved valuable, offering exposure, industry conversations, and validation that the long journey had been worthwhile.

Much of that success came from persistence and preparation. Throughout the week, Puchalski was a constant presence—networking at industry events, engaging in late-night discussions, and seizing every opportunity to explain Bucket Robotics’ vision.

Trained as an engineer, he previously spent nearly a decade working on autonomous vehicle projects at companies including Uber, Argo AI, Ford’s Latitude AI, and Stack AV. Those years helped him build strong relationships across the automotive and mobility sectors, connections that resurfaced repeatedly during CES.

The founder’s energy was evident even in quieter moments. Early one morning at a hotel breakfast, Puchalski and sales associate Max Joseph reviewed plans for CES Media Day, fine-tuning their messaging before the crowds arrived.

That same enthusiasm carried onto the show floor, where hands-on demonstrations and impromptu pitches introduced attendees to Bucket Robotics’ work.

For a first-time exhibitor navigating one of the world’s largest tech conferences, the company’s CES debut underscored a simple lesson: preparation, resilience, and presence can make even a small booth stand out.

Source: Techcrunch