Aquablu BOLD: AI-Powered Hydration System Makes Its U.S. Debut at CES 2026

LAS VEGAS, NV – January 06, 2026 – Amid the sprawling halls of innovation at CES 2026, a Dutch wellness technology company is making its U.S. debut with a bold proposition: to fundamentally transform water from a simple commodity into a personalized, intelligent, and essential part of our daily performance infrastructure. Aquablu, a rapidly growing European scale-up, today unveiled the Aquablu BOLD, a next-generation hydration system poised to disrupt how Americans hydrate in offices, gyms, hotels, and other high-traffic spaces.

The sleek, freestanding unit is more than just a water cooler. It’s an AI-powered hydration hub designed to eliminate single-use plastics while delivering a bespoke drinking experience. Users can craft their perfect beverage from five water types, including ambient and sparkling options, multiple temperatures, six vitamin-infused flavors, and a range of functional boosts like electrolytes, protein, and caffeine, with collagen planned for future release.

Beyond the Water Cooler: Hydration as Intelligent Infrastructure

For decades, workplace hydration has been an afterthought, limited to tap water, sugary sodas, or the office coffee pot. Aquablu argues this model is outdated, built for convenience rather than optimal human performance. The BOLD system introduces a radically different approach, centered around its proprietary smart operating system, AURA.

AURA acts as the central nervous system, connecting the physical dispenser to a personalized user experience. As individuals use the system, the AI quietly learns their preferences, patterns, and tastes. The platform’s capabilities extend to integrating data from personal wearables, allowing it to make context-aware suggestions. This transforms the BOLD from a passive dispenser into an active wellness coach.

"After an intense workout, Aquablu BOLD recommends the Immunity variant with extra electrolytes and protein," explained Marnix Stokvis, Co-Founder of Aquablu. "The more I use it, the better it starts predicting my hydration need." This predictive capability represents a significant leap, suggesting hydration strategies based on an individual’s real-time activity and historical data, ensuring they get what their body needs, precisely when it needs it.

This reframes the entire concept of workplace amenities. Instead of a generic perk, hydration becomes a dynamic, data-driven utility that actively supports employee well-being. "Employees don't want generic wellness perks anymore," said Marc van Zuylen, Co-Founder of Aquablu. "They want benefits that reflect how they actually live and work. Aquablu BOLD positions hydration not as a perk, but as essential infrastructure that supports energy, focus, and performance throughout the day."

A European Powerhouse Enters the U.S. Arena

While new to the U.S., Aquablu arrives with significant momentum and a proven track record in Europe. Founded in 2018, the company has deployed hundreds of its systems across the continent, serving tens of thousands of users daily. Its rapid expansion is backed by impressive growth metrics, including a recent second-place finish in the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 2025, which recognized its staggering 2,162% turnover growth.

This trajectory attracted serious investment, culminating in a €7 million seed round led by Frans van Houten, the respected former CEO of Royal Philips. This backing not only provides the capital for a formidable U.S. market entry but also lends significant strategic credibility to Aquablu’s mission.

The company enters a competitive American market for smart beverage dispensers, where players like Bevi and FloWater have already made inroads by focusing on flavored water and sustainability. However, Aquablu is differentiating itself through a deeper integration of AI and a far broader range of personalization. While competitors offer flavor choices, the BOLD system’s combination of multiple water types, temperatures, functional boosts like protein and caffeine, and its predictive AURA engine aims to set a new standard for what a smart dispenser can do.

The Dual Mandate: User Experience and Operator Efficiency

The Aquablu BOLD is engineered to serve two distinct clients simultaneously: the end-user and the facility operator. For the user, the interface is designed to be seamless and intuitive, making personalized wellness an effortless part of their day. The connected app allows them to track their hydration, save favorite combinations, and receive intelligent recommendations.

For operators in offices, gyms, and hotels, the AURA platform provides a powerful management tool that was previously unavailable. The system delivers real-time, centralized data on device status, consumption patterns, and performance across multiple locations. This visibility allows facility and HR teams to understand how the amenity is being used and quantify its value.

Crucially, AURA automates inventory management. When a flavor or functional boost runs low, the system automatically sends a replacement signal, unburdening facility managers from manual checks and ensuring 100% uptime. This combination of measurable usage data, reduced plastic waste, and a high-demand wellness benefit creates a compelling business case that is easily justifiable to finance, HR, and operations departments alike.

Sustainability Meets Smart Technology

At the core of Aquablu’s mission is a powerful commitment to sustainability. The BOLD system is designed to operate entirely without single-use plastics, directly tackling a major source of environmental waste in commercial spaces. The company has set an ambitious goal to save one billion plastic bottles by 2030, and early results from its European deployments are promising, with some corporate clients reporting a 70% reduction in plastic waste within six months of installation.

By purifying and enhancing water at the point of use, the system eliminates the carbon footprint associated with manufacturing, transporting, and refrigerating bottled beverages. Furthermore, unlike some competitors that rely on single-use flavor pods, Aquablu’s system uses bulk flavor and boost containers, further minimizing downstream waste and reinforcing its eco-conscious credentials.

At CES, Aquablu is showcasing this vision by transforming its exhibition space into a "hydration oasis," where mixologists serve custom drinks directly from the BOLD system. The demonstration is a clear statement that functional hydration can be both sophisticated and sustainable. By choosing this global stage for its U.S. launch, Aquablu is signaling its intent to lead a cultural shift, proving that water can be an exciting and integral part of a modern, performance-driven lifestyle.