Roborock introduces the world’s first automated vacuum cleaner that actually cleans by climbing

At CES, where companies not only imagine but actually demonstrate concepts that define what our lives might look like in the years to come, Chinese company Roborock offered a glimpse of what could become one of the most practical advances in home robotics in years: an autonomous vacuum cleaner that not only avoids stairs, but actively climbs and cleans them.

Still in development, the company’s Saros Rover represents a real breakthrough in the industry.

“We’re really excited about this product,” said Katie Leonowitz, Roborock’s PR manager for North America. “Not only does it climb the stairs, but it also cleans the stairs as it goes, which is the first robot model on the market that can do that.”

“It’s really exciting because obviously when you clean your house and you go from one floor to another, there are still areas in between that the user has to manage themselves,” she said.

This distinction – cleaning on the way up – is what sets Roborock’s prototype apart from previous stair-climbing concepts that focused more on mobility than utility. In most split-level homes, robot vacuums always stop at the edge of a staircase, leaving users to manually tackle the spaces in between.

While still in research and development, Roborock presented its working Saros Rover prototype at CES to demonstrate both its ambition and its progress.

“We have a really good prototype, which is why we wanted to show it at CES,” Leonowitz said. “We expect slight improvements over the next year. Hopefully in 2027 we can see a little more.”

This timeline highlights CES’s role as a showcase for forward-looking ideas in addition to finished consumer products.

Yet Roborock’s presence wasn’t just about the future.

The company already has a strong position in the robotic vacuum cleaner market, with a wide range of products currently found in homes around the world; the company is already expanding its product portfolio well beyond just interior cleaning.

“We are expanding not only our interior cleaning line, but also exterior cleaning,” she said. “Our gardens are something that also takes us a lot of time to maintain and look beautiful. »

Among these outdoor innovations are new robotic lawn mowers, with three different models designed for a range of garden sizes and complexities. According to Leonowitz, Roborock combines satellite navigation with lidar to handle everything from wide-open lawns to more challenging, tree-filled environments.

“Satellite technology is useful for larger yards, perhaps for yards that don’t have as much dense foliage,” she said. “Then lidar is great for more complex terrain or yards and can tackle those trees because it can communicate with the robot and make sure it navigates and captures every inch of your yard.”

Like the stair lift vacuum cleaner, these lawn mowers emphasize coverage and autonomy. They also have four-wheel drive, allowing them to climb steep slopes – another example of Roborock’s focus on areas that traditionally require manual effort.

While Roborock drew huge crowds throughout CES, deploying trade show tactics as entertaining as dance routines and flash mob activations, several other companies – including Narwal, Dreame, Eufy, Eureka and others – showed off their own versions of this burgeoning product line.

Ecovacs Robotics, for example, used CES 2026 to introduce its new DEEBOT X12 OmniCyclone and T90 Pro Omni robot vacuums, which feature improvements such as stain pretreatment, longer mop rollers and a smart mop cover to better protect carpets.

Traditional brands Samsung and LG have also stepped up their robot vacuum game.

Samsung’s Bespoke AI Jet Bot Steam Ultra introduced advanced navigation and liquid detection. LG introduced a model with a built-in station designed to fit under kitchen counters — a clever, space-saving idea that won a CES Innovation Award for its steam mop and sterilization system.

Clearly, there is still not only a need, but also considerable room for expanded product applications.

So what’s the main difference?

When asked what differentiates Roborock from competitors already experimenting with stair-based mobility, Leonowitz was quick to point out the company’s core philosophy.

“AI is the foundation of all our technology,” she said. “And that’s what makes him incredibly intelligent.”

When combined with lidar-based mapping, Roborock’s AI-powered machines perceive their surroundings in detail and adapt over time.

“We are always trying to improve, even with our other models in our other series,” she added. “We just want to try to get the most advanced AI out there.”

So, will products like the Saros Rover eliminate the need for hand vacuuming for good?

Well, it certainly depends on the residents of each home. But one thing is for sure, Roborock has given us a glimpse of a future where even the most troublesome aspects of home maintenance will be handled silently, autonomously and intelligently, one step – and now one step – at a time.