Roborock's New Robot Vacuum with Robotic Arm

Roborock Announces Saros Z70 with Robotic Arm at CES 2025

Despite the financial challenges faced by iRobot, innovation continues within the robotic vacuum industry. Roborock unveiled the Saros Z70 at CES 2025 on Sunday. This new device, positioned as a competitor to the Roomba, introduces what the company envisions as a significant advancement in robovac technology: a fully integrated robotic arm.

The Evolution of Robotic Vacuum Design

The concept of equipping robot vacuums with manipulators isn't new. However, the practical implementation has been hindered by high production costs and the complexity of reliable robotic arm technology. Decreasing manufacturing expenses and advancements in sensor technology are now making this feature more feasible, though the initial cost remains substantial.

A thorough evaluation will be conducted once the system is available for in-home testing. Currently, questions persist regarding the arm’s overall effectiveness and the ease of potential repairs.

How the Robotic Arm Functions

A five-axis robotic arm is integrated into the top of the vacuum cleaner. This arm is capable of extending and rotating, designed to clear obstacles and retrieve lightweight items, specifically laundry, weighing under 300 grams.

The system operates in two phases. First, it performs a standard vacuuming pass across the floor. Then, it revisits areas to interact with identified objects. An onboard camera and a suite of sensors assist the arm in spatial orientation.

App Control and Safety Features

The Roborock application is central to the OmniGrip’s operation. Initially, the OmniGrip function will be disabled and requires activation through the app.

Users can customize the arm’s behavior via app settings.
The app allows users to specify which objects the OmniGrip should interact with.
Users can also define designated placement areas for retrieved items.

For safety, the vacuum includes a child-lock feature and an emergency stop button, enabling immediate shutdown if needed.