I tried a robot vacuum with a mechanical arm
Robot vacuums are developing new features very quickly. A year ago, self-scrubbing docks that emptied dirty water into an on-board tank to keep mop pads clean and dry were a fresh innovation. Then, the robots developed wheels and legs that let them hop over tricky room transitions.
Now Roborock is first to market with the next big trick; a robot with a full mechanical arm folded into its body, designed to physically pick up and relocate objects in its way.
The idea seems like pure science fiction. Imagine that, while you're out of the house, a robot emerges to vacuum and mop. It gets in all the nooks and crannies and, if you've left any small objects on the floor, it picks them up. You'll find them neatly placed where they're supposed to go — or stowed in the robot's own little lost-and-found basket — when you get home.
It's an intriguing glimpse of the future, but Roborock's $4000 Saros Z70 can't make it a reality quite yet. The company says the robot can only pick up a very few objects, including socks, cloths, tissues and sandals. And, as I found out, it will only do that in very specific scenarios.
The bot comes with a sleek and futuristic-looking dock, plus a gaudy cardboard bin covered with QR codes into which it can deposit objects. After setting it up and letting it map my house (which it did quickly thanks to its cameras and sensors), I immediately enacted a simple test I thought would be a slam dunk for the robot arm. I decluttered the kids' bedroom and placed a single sock in the middle of the floor, then asked the robot to come and vacuum.
It began cleaning in a grid and clearly saw the sock, as it deviated from its pattern to carefully clean around it. Then it finished the job and returned to its dock. Strike one, the sock was still on the floor.
Upon checking the app, it seems the robot detected the sock as a generic obstacle. My fault, the sock wasn't socky enough. I chose an unmistakable specimen for the second test; white and well-worn, with a green toe. The very visual definition of a sock. The robot avoided it completely. Strike two.
I decided to change tack and replace the sock with a kitchen cloth. The robot ran over it, dragging it around the room. Strike three.
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Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
I tried a robot vacuum with a mechanical arm
Robot vacuums are developing new features very quickly. A year ago, self-scrubbing docks that emptied dirty water into an on-board tank to keep mop pads clean and dry were a fresh innovation. Then, the robots developed wheels and legs that let them hop over tricky room transitions. Now Roborock is first to market with the next big trick; a robot with a full mechanical arm folded into its body, designed to physically pick up and relocate objects in its way. The idea seems like pure science fiction. Imagine that, while you're out of the house, a robot emerges to vacuum and mop. It gets in all the nooks and crannies and, if you've left any small objects on the floor, it picks them up. You'll find them neatly placed where they're supposed to go — or stowed in the robot's own little lost-and-found basket — when you get home. It's an intriguing glimpse of the future, but Roborock's $4000 Saros Z70 can't make it a reality quite yet. The company says the robot can only pick up a very few objects, including socks, cloths, tissues and sandals. And, as I found out, it will only do that in very specific scenarios. The bot comes with a sleek and futuristic-looking dock, plus a gaudy cardboard bin covered with QR codes into which it can deposit objects. After setting it up and letting it map my house (which it did quickly thanks to its cameras and sensors), I immediately enacted a simple test I thought would be a slam dunk for the robot arm. I decluttered the kids' bedroom and placed a single sock in the middle of the floor, then asked the robot to come and vacuum. It began cleaning in a grid and clearly saw the sock, as it deviated from its pattern to carefully clean around it. Then it finished the job and returned to its dock. Strike one, the sock was still on the floor. Upon checking the app, it seems the robot detected the sock as a generic obstacle. My fault, the sock wasn't socky enough. I chose an unmistakable specimen for the second test; white and well-worn, with a green toe. The very visual definition of a sock. The robot avoided it completely. Strike two. I decided to change tack and replace the sock with a kitchen cloth. The robot ran over it, dragging it around the room. Strike three.
The Age
a day ago
- The Age
I tried a robot vacuum with a mechanical arm
Robot vacuums are developing new features very quickly. A year ago, self-scrubbing docks that emptied dirty water into an on-board tank to keep mop pads clean and dry were a fresh innovation. Then, the robots developed wheels and legs that let them hop over tricky room transitions. Now Roborock is first to market with the next big trick; a robot with a full mechanical arm folded into its body, designed to physically pick up and relocate objects in its way. The idea seems like pure science fiction. Imagine that, while you're out of the house, a robot emerges to vacuum and mop. It gets in all the nooks and crannies and, if you've left any small objects on the floor, it picks them up. You'll find them neatly placed where they're supposed to go — or stowed in the robot's own little lost-and-found basket — when you get home. It's an intriguing glimpse of the future, but Roborock's $4000 Saros Z70 can't make it a reality quite yet. The company says the robot can only pick up a very few objects, including socks, cloths, tissues and sandals. And, as I found out, it will only do that in very specific scenarios. The bot comes with a sleek and futuristic-looking dock, plus a gaudy cardboard bin covered with QR codes into which it can deposit objects. After setting it up and letting it map my house (which it did quickly thanks to its cameras and sensors), I immediately enacted a simple test I thought would be a slam dunk for the robot arm. I decluttered the kids' bedroom and placed a single sock in the middle of the floor, then asked the robot to come and vacuum. It began cleaning in a grid and clearly saw the sock, as it deviated from its pattern to carefully clean around it. Then it finished the job and returned to its dock. Strike one, the sock was still on the floor. Upon checking the app, it seems the robot detected the sock as a generic obstacle. My fault, the sock wasn't socky enough. I chose an unmistakable specimen for the second test; white and well-worn, with a green toe. The very visual definition of a sock. The robot avoided it completely. Strike two. I decided to change tack and replace the sock with a kitchen cloth. The robot ran over it, dragging it around the room. Strike three.
7NEWS
6 days ago
- 7NEWS
Shoppers rush to snap up Roborock's EOFY deals with savings of up to $800 on smart home tech
There's never been a better moment to level up your home with a little help from smart tech. Roborock, the global leader in robotic vacuums, has dropped its biggest end-of-financial-year deals to date, and shoppers are already racing to add to their carts. With savings of up to $800 across their top-rated models, including the Saros 10, Qrevo series and F25, the brand is delivering not just spotless floors, but extra hours in your day. Available now through to Wednesday 2 July via Roborock's website and selected major retailers including JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman and Amazon Australia. These deals are not ones to sleep on (unless you enjoy dust bunnies). Whether you're dealing with daily crumbs, pet hair that never ends, or just tired of lugging a vacuum around the house, Roborock's latest lineup covers it all and then some. 1. Roborock Saros 10, was $2,999, now $2,599 (save $400) Where sleek design meets serious cleaning power. The Saros 10 brings together intelligent navigation, powerful suction and a surprisingly compact self-cleaning dock. It's like having a professional cleaner on call, minus the hourly rate. Ideal for anyone after luxury-level convenience with minimal effort. 2. Roborock Qrevo C was $1,699, now $1,099 (save $600) If you're short on space but big on cleanliness, the Qrevo C is the robot for you. Despite its compact size, it delivers a powerful 18,500 Pa of suction, with smart navigation and a dual anti-tangle system. It's especially perfect for apartments or small homes where every square metre counts. 3. Roborock Qrevo Curv was $2,799, now $2,299 (save $500) Whether you have hardwood, tiles or carpet, the Qrevo Curv knows how to glide seamlessly across every surface. With a zero-tangling system, powerful 18,500 Pa HyperForce® suction and a multi-functional dock, it's built for deep, hygienic cleaning, a godsend for pet owners. 4. Roborock Qrevo Edge C was $2,199, now $1,599 (save $600) Clean every edge and corner without lifting a finger. The Qrevo Edge C features FlexiArm Technology and a dual anti-tangle system to get into those hard-to-reach places, making it ideal for perfectionists and anyone who wants that spotless, just-mopped look with zero fuss. 5. Roborock F25 was $699, now $499 (save $200) Your everyday clean-up just got easier. The Roborock F25 is a wet-dry vacuum that can handle everything from cereal spills to muddy paw prints in one go. With 20,000 Pa suction power, smart sensors and a slick, low-profile build, it's a must-have for families and busy homes.
