The first day of IFA Berlin 2026 showed that technological sustainability does not come in the form of a single product or a unified path. Alongside phones, entertainment devices, and AI-powered products, large and emerging companies showcased solutions addressing transportation, energy, waste management, and agricultural and household work in different ways.
The CleanTechnica report, written by Larry Evans, focuses on several products that attracted attention at the exhibition, while noting that each addresses only part of the problem. The article is therefore closer to a field reading of sustainability trends at the exhibition than to a single product launch announcement or a comprehensive product review.
Xiaomi Electric Cars Head to Europe
Xiaomi was one of the most prominent exhibitors at the show, displaying the SU7, SU7 Max, and SU7 Ultra models, along with a YU7 SUV outside the event venue. According to the report, the company intends to launch the SU7 and YU7 in Europe next year, without announcing a specific date as of publication.
The cars also featured LiDAR sensors dedicated to the intelligent-driving system, which is expected to be activated next year after receiving the necessary regulatory approvals. The vehicles also include an AI Spatial Interaction sensor for gesture control, reducing the need to use the touchscreen for certain functions.
The significance here is not limited to adding electric models to the European market; it also extends to Xiaomi’s attempt to connect its cars with its mobile and home devices within the Human x Car x Home ecosystem. The author believes that the sporty models could make electric cars more appealing to car enthusiasts, not only to users concerned about environmental responsibility.
Turning Coconut Waste into Building Materials
Lesstics, a startup from the Philippines, presented Earth Board, building panels made from coconut-shell fibers. The report notes that this waste poses a challenge for waste management in many tropical regions and is sometimes burned, causing pollution.
The company uses a proprietary technology to convert the waste into panels that can be used for walls, floors, ceilings, cabinets, and furniture. The article says the panels have a surface consistency similar to particleboard, with longer fibers that give them strength comparable to OSB panels. The company also uses a bio-based polyurethane binder, with the aim of eliminating the formaldehyde found in conventional plywood.
According to the report, the panels offer fire resistance, sound absorption, insulation, and water resistance, in addition to their lower cost compared with traditional construction alternatives. The idea is especially significant in the Philippines, where pine trees commonly used for wood do not grow extensively and some trees are protected.
Automation as an Alternative to Large Equipment
Yarbo presented garden-care robots from its Y and M series. The new, smaller M series targets areas of up to a few acres. The company’s concept is based on operating small machines frequently and autonomously instead of relying on large, multipurpose equipment, which can consume more fuel and be noisier and more expensive.
According to the figures cited in the report, M robots can mow 1.5 acres per day and cover multiple areas weekly without direct supervision. The platform offers a modular design for tasks such as leaf collection and snow removal, while tracks help it operate in difficult weather conditions. Fast wireless charging can also raise the battery level from 10% to 90% in 65 minutes, with LiDAR added to improve safety.
The presentation alone does not prove that these robots suit every type of land or that they completely replace conventional equipment, but it does show how automation can address the problems of time and coverage across large areas instead of simply attempting to increase the size of the electric machine.
A Solution for Kitchen-Sink Oils and Waste
Valentin, a startup based in Slovenia, presented a compact unit installed beneath the kitchen sink to separate fats and organic matter before they reach the drainage network. The report warns that oils can contribute to the formation of fatbergs inside sewer systems, while organic waste can increase the burden on wastewater-treatment plants.
The unit dries the organic matter, and the resulting material can be used as fertilizer every few weeks, while the oils are collected for disposal with the waste every few months. Air from the drying process is expelled through the plumbing’s ventilation openings to limit odors. The author notes that reducing blockages could be especially useful in multistory buildings, while avoiding the need for harsh chemical cleaners or manually cleaning the strainer.
Energy Storage Between Personal Use and Resilience
Energy storage was another focus in the Jackery booth. The company announced the FortiShield Safety System, which it describes as a comprehensive seven-layer safety framework designed for its different device categories. This remains a company claim as reported in the source, rather than the result of an independent test presented in the article.
The products on display included the Explorer 2000 Plus V2, which became 12.6% smaller and 22.1% lighter while offering increased power output, and the Explore 1000 Plus, whose size was reduced by 25% and weight by 9%. The company also displayed the modular Solar Vault 3 system for managing balcony solar power and announced a partnership with SunBooster Vertical to use flexible solar strips that can be woven into wire fences.
At a larger scale, Jackery presented the Energycore system, with 100 kilowatt-hours of storage capacity and liquid cooling, along with 100 kilowatts of power and a 10-millisecond transfer time, for use in large homes or farms. An American Red Cross version of the Explorer 2000 Plus V2 was also shown ahead of its launch in the United States, with a storm-warning function and an emergency backup mode.
What Is Changing in Practice?
The report’s central conclusion is not that any one of these products represents the ultimate sustainability solution, but that the success of green technologies requires removing users’ everyday obstacles. Reducing emissions may not be enough if the product is complicated, expensive, inconvenient, or difficult to install.
The author believes that focusing on customers’ pain points—such as energy consumption, resilience, cost, ease of use, and appearance—could broaden the adoption of sustainable solutions. This is an editorial reading based on the article’s premise, not an independent measurement of adoption rates or the environmental impact of the products mentioned. The article also did not include pricing, availability, or comparative testing details, limiting the ability to judge the ultimate commercial or environmental viability of each solution.