In recent years, the rapid development of AI consumer electronics has been a stable trend. The rapid innovative progress of high-tech robot vacuums clearly illustrates it. Until recently, most people perceived clumsy and low-power robots as a funny expensive toy for a beloved pet.
But today they have evolved into complex multifunctional devices that provide almost complete cleaning automation with high quality. The innovative list of recent years includes high suction power, excellent navigation (lidar, TOF and RGB cameras) and, of course, self-emptying stations, which in addition to traditional recharging provide cleaning and drying of the mop, adding water, etc. However, developers do not stop there, actively offering new concepts. This year was no exception.
Ecovacs
At IFA 2024 in Berlin, the company presented the DEEBOT X8 Pro Omni with the retractable Ozmo Roller. In addition, at CES 2025, Ecovacs demonstrated a new hybrid concept in the Demos robot/stick vacuum X5 Hybrid.
In fact, Ozmo Roller replaces traditional discs, promising a significant increase in mopping performance.
Clean water is constantly sprayed over the roller surface by 16 nozzles. The rotation speed and brush pressure reach 200 prm and 4,000 Pa, respectively.
In addition, the model is equipped with a ZeroTangle 2.0 brush with 3V anti-tangle technology.
ZeroTangle was first used in last year’s T30S Combo. It uses 45° V-shaped angle bristle design, V-shaped spiral brush and V-shaped comb teeth array.
The model offers an unprecedented 18,000 Pa suction power, superb TruEdge 2.0 and TruEdge 3D Edge Sensor navigation, and an OMNI station with a full list of popular functions. This Chinese miracle costs of ~ $ 1,100 in America or ~ € 1,300 in Europe.
Of course, maximum cleaning automation is the main task of robot. But sometimes the manual mode is more optimal. Indeed, it’s hardly convenient to endure a scattered popcorn near the sofa or a sticky spot on the floor due to spilled sweet tea until the programmed cleaning schedule. Running the robot on a full cycle in a clean apartment is also hardly advisable. The new concept of Ecovacs Demos Robot/Stick Vacuum Hybrid (Deebot X5 Hybrid) solves this problem by offering an additional manual mode.
It combines a traditional robot vacuum with a removable stick attachment, switching from autonomous cleaning to manual control.
Unfortunately, the model does not have a mopping mode, and is thicker than its analogues, which limits cleaning under low-profile furniture.
3i
The 3i name is derived from Imagination, Innovation and Intelligence. The company positions itself as an innovator in smart cleaning technologies. The announced WaterRecycle system in the intelligent cleaning station of the H1 series became a sensation at CES 2024. In fact, it raised the automation level to the max. Its happy owner only needs to create a cleaning schedule and change the garbage bag at the station every few months. 3i S10 Ultra with this function was launched on Kickstarter on September 19, 2024.
Of course, industry leaders have been offering versions of dock- stations with a connection to the water supply and sewerage system for several years. They provide a supply of clean water for cleaning the mop, replenishing the on-board water container and draining dirty water. But connecting to external systems is a bit troublesome and radically narrows the choice of station location. The developers of the WaterRecycle system solved the problem in a different way. Their innovative station condenses clean water from the air, and thoroughly cleans and reuses dirty water.
Key Features:
– WaterRecycle system;
– retractable UltraReach Roller Mop;
– 13,000 Pa suction power;
– main and two side brushes with anti-tangle design;
– DirtScan Cleaning Strategy (select the optimal mode);
– multifunctional All-in-One Station.
– ApexVision dToF LIDAR Navigation.
Today its price ranges from $ 1,600 to $ 1,900.
At CES 2025 the company also presented the P10 Ultra and the G10+ without WaterRecycle system.
The P10 Ultra offers an all-in-one self-cleaning mop, station with hot air mop drying, antimicrobial silver-ion system and one-touch control. Its UltraReach Edge mopping system uses a robotic arm to provide edge-to-edge cleaning. DirtScan with automatic lighting, LDS lidar, triple obstacle avoidance, and AI-powered customization complete the innovations list.
Robotic arm
The superb navigation of modern robots ensures confident and virtually error-free overcoming obstacles. Indeed, the robot periodically getting stuck during cleaning is a thing of the past.
Moreover, using an RGB camera, lidar and a image database, modern models confidently identify even small objects on the floor. Unfortunately, they can only ignore the mess on the floor, going around obstacles. The developers accepted the challenge and successfully solved this problem. At CES 2025, Chinese Roborock and Dreame introduced the models with a robotic arm.
5-axis OmniGrip robotic arm of Roborock Saros Z70 unfolds, extends, rotates horizontally and vertically. It can lift and carry into the special container any objects weighing up to 300 grams (0.7 lbs).
The objects on the floor are detected using RGB camera and LED lighting, and their weight is determined with sensor. The new TOF sensor-based navigation system, superb suction power up to 22,000 Pa and new 4.0 docking station round out the pros of the Saros Z70.
The robotic arm of the Dreame model extends up to 30 cm but can lift loads and weigh up to 400 grams.
In addition, its arm can work with a sponge for wet messes and a bristle brush for cleaning crevices. According to the company, today this model is in late-stage development.
Of course, collecting things scattered on the floor is a useful function, especially for a child’s room. In addition, some things may be scattered on the floor in the morning after a fun party. But their tired owner is unlikely to collect them with a vacuum. In any case, the marketing prospects of the new concept will depend on the price, which is still unknown.
Conclusion
Of course, this article only covers a small part of the latest innovations. The Japanese SwitchBot K20+ Pro with several replaceable modules, Robovac and Dreame models with two little appendages to overcome thresholds up to 6 cm high, Dreame X50 Ultra, Roborock Saros 10 and Mova V50 Ultra with retractable lidar towers to reduce the height, which is important when cleaning under low-profile furniture, etc. can continue the innovative list of 2025.
This video demonstrates the new Ecovacs X8 PRO OMNI with retractable Ozmo Roller and side brush.