Roborock introduced the Saros Z70, a robot vacuum with a robotic arm

If you thought robot vacuums were just about suction and scrubbing, think again. Roborock has just unveiled the Saros Z70 at CES 2025, and it’s not your average floor cleaner. This vacuum comes with a game-changing feature: an articulating robotic arm named OmniGrip, capable of picking up small items from your floor, marking a new era in home automation.

Imagine this: you’re sitting back, enjoying your weekend, when the Saros Z70 starts its cleaning routine. It doesn’t just navigate around the socks you’ve left lying around; it picks them up. This arm, emerging from the center of the sleek, under-8cm tall vacuum, is a first-of-its-kind five-axis, foldable mechanism. It’s designed to extend and twist, equipped with a camera and LED light to guide its movement, ensuring it doesn’t bump into obstacles as it lifts items like socks, tissues, or small towels — all under 300 grams.

The image shows a Roborock Saros Z70 robot vacuum equipped with a robotic arm. The arm is extended and holding a piece of crumpled orange paper, which it is placing into a white box with a gray design on the side. The scene is set on a smooth, reflective surface. — Roborock Saros Z70 (Image: Roborock)

How does it work?

The process is somewhat intricate. On its first pass, the Z70 maps out and marks objects it can handle. Then, it returns to base, only to go out again to move these items out of the way before cleaning the newly accessible areas. Finally, it can be programmed to place these items in designated spots, like a laundry basket or near a closet. This might take a bit longer than manually tidying up, but the novelty and automation are undeniable. It’s like having a little helper who picks up after you, embodying the futuristic vision many of us have dreamed of.

Video: Roborock

Beyond the arm

The Saros Z70 isn’t just about its arm, though. It’s packed with technology that makes it a formidable cleaning device. With a whopping 22,000Pa of suction power, it promises to leave no speck of dust behind. It’s dual anti-tangle brushes and dual spinning mops elevate its cleaning prowess, capable of lifting to avoid carpets and detaching at the base station when mopping isn’t required.

The navigation system, dubbed StarSight Autonomous System 2.0, uses 3D time-of-flight sensors, RGB cameras, and machine learning for obstacle avoidance. This means the Z70 can recognize up to 108 objects, learn new ones through user input, and navigate around tricky spots with precision, thanks to the new VertiBeam technology for cable management.

Complementary models

While the Z70 might be the star, Roborock didn’t stop there. They introduced two more models in the Saros series:

Saros 10R: Similar in stature and tech to the Z70 but without the arm. It shares the StarSight 2.0 system and features a slightly lower suction power of 19,000Pa.
Saros 10: This model opts for Roborock’s VibraRise mopping system, which vibrates the mop pad for better stain removal, paired with an updated Reactive AI for obstacle avoidance. It’s designed for those who might appreciate a different approach to cleaning without the arm’s novelty.

Both the Saros 10R and 10 are set to hit the market on February 10th, priced at $1,599.99 each, offering high-end cleaning tech at a premium but without the experimental arm of the Z70.

The image shows two Roborock Saros 10R robot vacuums. The one on the left is the standard Roborock Saros 10R robot vacuum, while the one on the right is the Roborock Saros 10R robot vacuum with a refill and drainage system. Both devices are sleek and modern, with a dark, metallic finish. The refill and drainage system on the right appears to be a larger unit, designed to automatically manage the vacuum's water and waste, enhancing its autonomous cleaning capabilities.

The image shows two robot vacuum cleaners. On the left is the Roborock Saros 10 robot vacuum, which is black in color. On the right is the Roborock Saros 10R robot vacuum, which is white and features a refill and drainage system. Both vacuums are placed on their respective docking stations against a dark background.

Smart home integration

All three models will support Matter 1.4, allowing seamless integration with various smart home systems, from Apple‘s upcoming iOS update to existing platforms like Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings. This move signifies Roborock’s commitment to making their devices not just cleaners but integral parts of the smart home ecosystem.

The future of cleaning

While the Saros Z70‘s arm might seem more like a gimmick at first glance, it’s a bold step towards more interactive and helpful home robots. It’s not just about cleaning; it’s about easing the daily chores in innovative ways. However, with its launch slated for June 2025, without a price tag revealed, it’s clear Roborock is taking its time to refine this novel technology.