Unisami AI News

Roborock’s Roomba competitor gets a robot arm

January 5, 2025 | by AI

pexels-photo-6153738

Roborock’s New Saros Z70: A Game-Changer in the World of Robot Vacuums?

The ever-evolving landscape of robot vacuums has witnessed another intriguing development, as Roborock unveils its latest innovation, the Saros Z70, at CES. Despite iRobot’s financial challenges, tech enthusiasts can still look forward to exciting advancements in this sphere. But what sets the Saros Z70 apart from its competitors like Roomba? It’s all about the arm.

The concept of equipping robot vacuums with arms isn’t entirely new; it’s an idea as old as the machines themselves. However, until now, high costs and technical complications have kept such features out of reach for most consumers. With recent reductions in manufacturing costs and sensor prices, Roborock believes the time is ripe for a practical implementation—albeit with a price tag that might still be steep for many.

“The Roborock app will play a key role in how the OmniGrip operates,” the company says. “The OmniGrip will be disabled out of the box, and users need to activate it through the app, where they can choose different settings for its behavior.”

Roborock

  • The five-axis robotic arm unfolds gracefully from the top of the vacuum.
  • Designed to maneuver around obstacles and pick up items under 300 grams.
  • An onboard camera and sensors ensure precise navigation.
  • The system completes a standard vacuum pass before interacting with objects.

This innovative feature raises some important considerations. While the arm can potentially revolutionize how we perceive robotic cleaning devices, there are questions about its practical efficacy and ease of repair. Users can activate and customize the arm’s interactions via the Roborock app, setting preferences for object handling and designated areas.

For those concerned about safety, the Saros Z70 offers peace of mind with a child-lock and safety stop button for instant shutdown when needed.

The Saros Z70 is set to hit the market on February 10th, priced at $1,600. Whether or not it’s worth the investment remains to be seen, and like many others, I’m eager to test its capabilities in real-world scenarios. Could this be a glimpse into the future of automated cleaning? Only time will tell.

Image Credit: cottonbro studio on Pexels

RELATED POSTS

View all

view all