Robot vacuum cleaners swept the floor at CES 2025 and while this might not seem very exciting, think again. Adding AI to these everyday home helpers has already made them more efficient at what they do. Now they are expanding what they do and getting a foot in the door of homes everywhere.

Over a decade ago we reported on the NAO robot's ability to pick up socks and saw it as evidence of the robot's intelligence -  autonomous behavior that combined its vision system and path-planning abilities.

Now at CAS Roborock has showcased a robot vacuum with a robotic arm that detects objects strewn across your floors and carpets. The new model, Saros Z70 if fitted with an intelligent arm called OmniGrip. Inbuilt precision sensors, a camera, and an LED light enable OmniGrip to determine the position and weight of each object it grips and is able to recognize 108 types of obstacles. You can program it to identify and relocate items and trash to designated spots like a basket or dustbin. 

As well as dealing with sticky messes, accidental spills, and the toughest of juice and coffee stains thanks to its 22,000Pa suction power it also lifts dirt, hair, and debris across your home's surfaces, be it hardwood floors or tiles, and carpets.

The Roborock Saros Z70 will be available later this year, but the price has yet to be announced.

Currently Roborock's sights seem firmly set at ground level, but Switchbot has higher aspirations. The SwitchBot K20+ Pro debuted at CES and, as this video shows, comes with a platform for transporting items - giving it a role, albeit a limited one, of robot butler. Thanks to it being equipped with ports to connect a camera it can also act as a security device that surveils your home.

In the video we see SwitchBot K20+ Pro fitted with a tablet to provide timely information, such as recipes. Why not take the next logical step, add a chat bot who can listen to and respond to requests and use voice to guide you through tasks step-by-step and engage in social chit chat. 

We were recently impressed by how close we are approaching to a  viable domestic helper in the form of Tesla's humanoid Optimus robot. It's drawback is its cost - $20,000 to $30,000 once it is manufactured at scale. A floor cleaning robot costing $2,000 to $3,000 that can also tidy away refuse and small objects, deliver pills, food and drinks, while having a pleasant chat on any  and every topic seems to me to be a more affordable alternative. It could be that domestic robots are already with us and its just a matter of evolution before they grow legs and walk.

More Information

Roborock Saros Series Launches at CES 2025

SwitchBot

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