CES Showcases Futuristic Innovations in Robot Vacuums
The CES show floor this year was abuzz with advancements in robot vacuum technology, introducing features like extendable mops, movable towers, and enhanced navigation systems. As companies race to perfect the art of floor cleaning, the innovations showcased illustrate the significant strides being made.
Arms for Enhanced Floor Cleaning
Recent developments in flagship robot vacuums have focused on improving obstacle avoidance with AI-powered camera navigation systems. However, these systems sometimes fail to clean entire floors. One promising solution is the addition of a robotic arm capable of moving obstacles. Roborock's Saros Z70 and Dreame's concept vacuum displayed this new capability, with robotic claws designed to maneuver items out of the way.
The OmniGrip arm on the Roborock Saros Z70. Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge
The technology involves software that allows users to specify where items should be placed, essentially tidying up spaces in a novel manner. Yet, demonstrations at CES were limited, showing only the basic functionality of picking up lightweight items.
Climbing Innovations
Robovac manufacturers are also enhancing their products with small appendages to help the devices navigate elevated surfaces. Dreame's new models, including the Ultra X50, feature retractable legs that lift the robot to overcome small transitions.
Dreame’s concept robot vacuum can lift itself up and has an arm for moving items out of its way. Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge
These innovations help the vacuums transition between different floor heights, though they are not yet designed for stair climbing. The technology primarily builds on existing chassis lift mechanisms seen in previous models from Roborock and others.
Advancements in Mopping
An emerging trend at CES was the enhancement of mopping capabilities in robot vacuums. New models from Narwal, Ecovacs, and others are now equipped with roller mops that extend to clean edges and corners more effectively than conventional spinning mops.
The newest Narwal, the Narwal Flow, adds a roller mop that can extend to get into corners and along edges. Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge
These mops boast a wider cleaning surface and self-cleaning abilities, reducing the frequency of returning to the base. Despite their improvements, some limitations remain, particularly in reaching floor edges.
Redefining Navigation with Less Lidar
A notable shift in navigation technology involves retractable lidar towers, enabling vacuums to fit under low furniture. New models like Dreame X50 Ultra can adjust their lidar towers for better maneuverability around the home.
Robororock demoing its StarSight navigation system — you can make out faint radar imaging in on the dark walls visible in the video feed. Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge
Roborock introduced its StarSight navigation technology at CES, aiming to augment lidar with more sensors and AI. This development promises improved navigation accuracy across complex floorplans, contributing to a seamless cleaning experience.
Overall, CES highlighted how close we are to achieving robot vacuums capable of thorough cleaning with minimal human intervention—a vision of the future that's nearly within reach.