Latest news with #RoborockSarosZ70
Business Insider
3 days ago
- Business Insider
The Roborock vacuum robot with a mechanical arm is super cool. I'm certain it's the future, just not yet
The Roborock Saros Z70 robot vacuum and mop expands the cleaning prowess of the best robot vacuums with the addition of a robotic arm alongside its arsenal of sensors and brushes. The idea is that it'll pick up objects in its way and go the extra mile to fully tidy up by actually moving items around. Once you see it in action, the articulating arm is instantly intriguing. It's a potential huge leap forward for robot assistants. After an editor got an early press preview of the Roborock Z70, I spent several weeks with the Z70, putting it through dedicated tests, as well as just letting it perform daily scheduled cleanings. I'm hopeful that its functionality will increase over time, but at the moment, it's strictly a novelty. The exciting potential remains, but the reality is much duller. The robot has a very limited list of items it's allowed to lift and move, including pieces of paper and light slippers. Even within that scope, it didn't always accomplish its tasks. The Z70 is a top-notch vacuum and mop, but its arm is just an added expense that probably won't be helpful to many people just yet. A machine loaded with features and specs The Saros Z70 is wholly feature-complete. Between the adaptive AI cleaning schedules and the video calls you can use the robot for as it does a patrol of the house, it's hard not to be overwhelmed by it. Of course, the elephant in the room is its OmniGrip mechanical arm, which even has an embedded camera and is capable of lifting up to 300 grams. That's 0.66 pounds, or the equivalent of an iPad mini (with cellular). The arm will emerge on its own while vacuuming or mopping, but it can also be activated manually while in its remote control mode if you want to play around with it. The Roborock Z70 retails for $2,599 and is at the tip top of the price spectrum for this category of products. Even without the OmniGrip arm, however, it would still be a high-end product because of all the other tech loaded up inside. It features up to a tremendous 22,000 Pa of suction, a multi-function dock with hot water mop cleaning, an extending brush and pad, and class-leading mapping and navigation sensors. It packs a lot into its compact, 3.14-inch tall frame. So, in addition to knowing where it should and shouldn't go, it can actually fit under more couches and between more chair legs. The unit has a rated 180-minute run time on its quiet mode. In my testing, I got more than 115 minutes with the higher power balanced mode. Observing the battery in real-world use, the battery estimate seems highly accurate. Extrapolating my usage out, the Z70 was averaging about 170 minutes in the higher setting. For times of extended demand, the dock will fast-charge the robot in an advertised 2.5 hours. Mapping and navigation are stellar, helping it avoid bumping into most household items Despite a functional robot arm tucked away into its top, the unit remains compact and nimble. Part of the Z70's ability to scoot through tight spaces like between furniture is its StarSight Autonomous System 2.0. It has forward-facing detection, along with VertiBeam for lateral object avoidance to the side and above. These sensors and cameras help it see 3D depth information and identify more objects, so it knows how to move around household items delicately. On its first mapping, the Z70 instantly created an accurate map of my downstairs rooms. Like other Roborock models, it correctly identified room dividers and even noted things like a table and living room seating. Over the last several years, I've been highly impressed with the cleaning paths Roborock robots take and their general ground coverage. The Z70 is no different in this regard. But from my constant oversight, this year's tech does seem to be at the top of its game. It's highly thorough while remaining efficient. The Roborock app has even added Routines to try to allow you more flexibility in how you clean. One of the recommended options is to clean after a meal. This Routine cleans the kitchen and dining room after the time you set for dinner. Here's what you want to know about a vacuum that has an arm Far and away, the most interesting thing about the Roborock Saros Z70 is its OmniGrip mechanical arm. It can move certain objects out of the way or move them to designated areas. That's the promise, but the reality is much more limited than it initially appears. First, you have to explicitly activate the OmniGrip in the app to turn it on. It won't work by default until you take the step to acknowledge its presence. Secondly, at launch, it's only authorized to pick up tissues, sandals/slippers, and socks — but only certain types of each. So what's the point? Roborock is optimistic that this will help tidy up socks that get left close to closets or tissues that don't quite make it to a trash can. I'm more skeptical. Even if the mechanical arm does gain the ability to pick up new objects in the future via a software up, it ultimately has a physical weight capacity that it can't exceed. It can't go around lifting anything it wants to, including heavy footwear like boots. Plus, there will likely always be some objects like scissors that remain off-limits for safety reasons. Additionally, in regards to safety, there is an emergency shutoff button on the vacuum to stop the arm, and the grip does have a pinch sensor. In terms of the OmniGrip's actual performance, it hasn't been great in my testing. Maybe unsurprisingly, I've needed to manufacture a lot of the testing scenarios because the items it will handle are so limited. I wouldn't have seen it work much, if at all, if I didn't artificially start dropping balls of tissues on the floor. Even when ideal-sized and shaped balls of paper towels were left on the floor in central locations, the results were mixed. Sometimes the robot would pick up one of the tissues and put it in its designated bin, while ignoring the others. I used paper towels, brown packing paper, and bathroom tissue to see if it would identify each of them. Usually, it would take care of one but not the others, with seemingly no logic to which one it handled. The paper towels I left lying flat didn't get any acknowledgment. I also resorted to placing Crocs in the middle of the room, while the Z70 ran its nightly schedule. Doing that usually resulted in one of the clogs being moved to the designated shoe spot while the other one remained untouched. Sometimes the robot would move the sandals out of its way to finish cleaning the area it was assigned to, but then just leave them in a different, inconvenient spot. It's hard not to be disappointed by the results of the OmniGrip mechanical arm. When it works like you assume it will, it's magical. It's easy to see how this functionality will be improved and could spread to be prominent in two to three years. But it's not there yet. It's too limited in nearly every way to be anything but a fun distraction. The Saros Z70 cleaning performance didn't disappoint If you're willing to pay the OmniGrip arm tax, you'll still get a good vacuum and mop. Its side brush and extending mop pad help it pick up crumbs and dirt around chair legs and scrub right up against baseboards. I tested the Z70 on hardwood floors using coffee grounds, flour, and crushed up cereal to see how it vacuumed and mopped up the messes. Using the vacuum and mop on its highest suction level with two passes, it got around 90% of the flour, 90% of the coffee grounds, and 98% of the cereal in a spot, zone cleaning. These results are in line with other high-end robot cleaners. Using the vacuum on carpet with the same simulated spilled food items, the Z70 got an estimated 87% of the flour, 89% of the coffee grounds, and 100% of the crushed up cereal. Again, its results in this area are in line with other premium robots. To see how well the Z70 could get into tough-to-reach areas, I taped off a corner of my room with hardwood floors and sprinkled some flour in the square. The vacuum picked up nearly all of the visible mess. Its corner results were quite remarkable, especially compared to other robots. All of these tests confirmed my general observations of the daily scheduled cleanings I had it doing. It's really good, though not perfect. There were still the occasional crumbs left under the cabinet toe-kicks in the kitchen, but all around the kitchen table, around chair legs, and up against baseboards were free from debris after it finished. The anti-tangle system, a combination of the side and roller brushes, worked well enough that I only saw a few strands of hair from time to time. There was never a collection of hair wrapped up that needed to be cut off. Nearly all of the hair found its way into the dustbin. I don't have a high threshold in my home that I need robot vacuums to cross. However, I do have a mid-to-high pile rug that a lot of vacuums have had a hard time traversing. Thanks to the AdaptiveLift chassis, the Z70 can roll over a threshold as tall as 1.57 inches, which, in my case, made it much easier for the bot to climb onto the carpeted rug and vacuum it without getting stuck. Although the unit can raise itself high off the ground, the Z70 can also detach its mopping pads and leave them behind in the charging dock when doing vacuum-only jobs. This means it won't drag wet pads across the carpet. This isn't a unique feature to Roborock, but one of my favorites that I've come to look for from any premium cleaner. The Z70 isn't the only new vacuum and mop that Roborock released in 2025. It also released the Saros 10R and 10. Putting the 10R through its paces revealed it has a similar performance. It also employs a sleek exterior with a low profile for nimble navigation, along with a FlexiArm side brush and an extending mop pad. Its suction is powerful, and its scrubbing is thorough. The 10 and 10R, varying in minor ways, aren't as flashy as the Z70, but nearly as capable. The bottom line The Roborock Saros Z70 is a great vacuum and mop but not because it has a robotic arm. It performs well at cleaning floors despite its headline feature. The functionality of its arm is just too limited to make it a useful part of the cleaning experience. If the cost doesn't deter you, it's a fine choice with a wow factor that will intrigue anyone who comes across it. But most people in search of a high-powered, premium robot vacuum and mop will find a better value with the Saros 10R.
CNET
20-05-2025
- CNET
I Dreamed of a Robot That Sorted My Socks, But This $2,600 Vacuum Isn't It (Yet)
The Saros Z70 is priced at $2,599, making it one of the most expensive robot vacuums I've seen. You can buy two robot vacuums for this price. The most notable feature is the OmniGrip mechanical arm designed to pick up and sort items. It also has strong vacuuming and mopping capabilities, excellent mapping, and the ability to cross thresholds. The mechanical arm has several issues, including difficulties picking up objects, navigation problems, and software bugs. There were also connectivity issues during setup. Cleaning my hardwood and carpet. Ajay Kumar Pros Good vacuuming on hardwood Brush roller does not get tangled with dog hair Very low profile and fits under pretty much everything Quiet operation Works well with pets Chassis lift prevents it from getting stuck most of the time Cons Dust bin is too small Water tank is too small Mopping performance isn't great Obstacle avoidance needs some improvement Roborock I wanted to love the Roborock Saros Z70. Never before have we seen a robot vacuum with a mechanical arm meant to pick up objects and help you clean before it vacuums and mops. As someone who has three cats, I found this incredibly appealing. I test and write about vacuums for a living. When we first saw the Roborock Saros Z70 at CES earlier this year, we all knew we were witnessing something special. CNET even chose it as one of our best of CES awards. I spent several hours with it in New York City during a demo, giving me fairly high hopes for its time and labor-saving potential. I tested it at my cluttered apartment for the better part of a month and so did my colleague and lead lab tester, Jared Hannah at his home. The reality is, the Saros Z70 certainly has a lot of promise. It vacuums and mops like a champ, can cross thresholds and obstacles as effectively as the Dreame X50 Ultra, and has great mapping and pet recognition in my home. The OmniGrip arm picking up my wife's sock. Ajay Kumar However, when it comes to its signature feature -- the robot arm -- we found it's still not ready for showtime. Right now, the Saros Z70 is fairly limited in its ability to pick up very small objects like pet toys and kid's toys. On occasion, it did recognize and attempt to pick up cat toys it found scattered around my home, but it was never able to succeed at that. Often, it would deploy the arm, then detect my cat or some other object nearby and freeze, blaring 'Error 69,' forcing me to manually reset the arm. At one point, it even tried to pick up my standing desk mat before realizing it wasn't a compatible object and giving up. Roborock tells us they are aware of the issues and are actively working on software fixes that will roll out in June and July. Here are my impressions after a month of testing and whether it's worth its $2,600 price tag. Roborock My experience with Saros Z70 We tested the Saros Z70 at CES 2025, at a live demo, at our New York City Office space, at CNET's testing lab in Louisville KY and most recently at my home. My biggest takeaway from my real-world home test versus my other experiences with this robot vacuum is the various issues with the mechanical arm, its struggle to pick up objects, navigation problems, and software bugs. It cleaned great as a regular robot vacuum and mop, but I couldn't rely on the arm's sorting capabilities. 'Yeah, it seems like it's basically a beta version of the arm,' said Hannah, who was testing the Z70 at the same time as me. 'They should do a bit more development before it's ready for the masses. I would get the error if the arm bumped something while moving an object. It sensed that there was too much resistance, so I think it was doing what it was supposed to, but it seems like that would end up being a common occurrence.' The Saros Z70 got scratched up after trying to clean under the desk chair. Ajay Kumar Vacuuming and mopping: Strong performance, good sand/litter/hair pickup; mopping with clean/dirty tanks and hot air drying is effective. Strong performance, good sand/litter/hair pickup; mopping with clean/dirty tanks and hot air drying is effective. Special features: The OmniGrip arm is the standout special feature, though currently unreliable. I found operational issues during my home testing. It struggled to pick up certain objects, especially pet toys, but I had much better luck with socks. Not only was the Saros Z70 able to identify my wife's purple socks and pick them up off the hardwood floor in the bedroom, but it also began to transport them to my designated shoe-drop-off area that's set up in the foyer. The problem was that partway on this journey, it gave up somewhere between the hallway and the kitchen, dropping the sock, acting like the job was complete, and continuing its regular cleaning cycle. The OmniGrip arm is the standout special feature, though currently unreliable. I found operational issues during my home testing. It struggled to pick up certain objects, especially pet toys, but I had much better luck with socks. Not only was the Saros Z70 able to identify my wife's purple socks and pick them up off the hardwood floor in the bedroom, but it also began to transport them to my designated shoe-drop-off area that's set up in the foyer. The problem was that partway on this journey, it gave up somewhere between the hallway and the kitchen, dropping the sock, acting like the job was complete, and continuing its regular cleaning cycle. Mapping and navigation: It generated a 2D and 3D map of my space, automatically tagging the rooms (bedroom, bathroom, living room and kitchen), flooring type (hard surface and carpet) and identifying certain pieces of furniture like my couch, TV stand and bed. It also marked notable thresholds in my space where extra effort would be required to cross. You can remap it or tell it to remap a specific room if you're not happy with the result, but it did a great job for me the first time around. It generated a 2D and 3D map of my space, automatically tagging the rooms (bedroom, bathroom, living room and kitchen), flooring type (hard surface and carpet) and identifying certain pieces of furniture like my couch, TV stand and bed. It also marked notable thresholds in my space where extra effort would be required to cross. You can remap it or tell it to remap a specific room if you're not happy with the result, but it did a great job for me the first time around. Software and app: The app isn't the most straightforward tool to use, with a profusion of settings and nested menus that allow you to adjust just about everything the robot can do, from the dustbin emptying and mop washing frequency, to cleaning patterns, obstacle photos, enabling the robotic arm and more. Just about everything the robot can do is customizable, but I wish all these features and settings were a bit more front and center rather than tucked away in the lengthy settings menu. The app isn't the most straightforward tool to use, with a profusion of settings and nested menus that allow you to adjust just about everything the robot can do, from the dustbin emptying and mop washing frequency, to cleaning patterns, obstacle photos, enabling the robotic arm and more. Just about everything the robot can do is customizable, but I wish all these features and settings were a bit more front and center rather than tucked away in the lengthy settings menu. Design and aesthetics: Low-profile design, good for fitting under furniture, but can lead to scratches. Low-profile design, good for fitting under furniture, but can lead to scratches. Ease of use: Setup had connectivity issues; once set up, basic functions are easy, but advanced settings are complex. Roborock The specs Price: $2,599 $2,599 Object weight limit (OmniGrip Arm): 300 grams rated load; approximately 700 grams actual load capacity during our testing. 300 grams rated load; approximately 700 grams actual load capacity during our testing. Threshold crossing height: Capable of crossing thresholds up to approximately two inches. Capable of crossing thresholds up to approximately two inches. Cleaning time: (Ajay's apartment, 850 sq ft): 1.5 to 2 hours for a full vacuum and mop session. (Ajay's apartment, 850 sq ft): 1.5 to 2 hours for a full vacuum and mop session. Cleaning time: (Jared's house, 1,200 square feet) : 2.5 to 3 hours for a full vacuum and mop session on the main level. (Jared's house, 1,200 square feet) 2.5 to 3 hours for a full vacuum and mop session on the main level. Mapping time (Ajay's apartment, 850 sq ft): 16 to 18 minutes for initial mapping. (Ajay's apartment, 850 sq ft): 16 to 18 minutes for initial mapping. Sand pickup performance on hardwood: 82.46%, this is excellent hardwood performance, falling just shy of our best overall, the Ecovacs Deeboth T30S Combo (85%). 82.46%, this is excellent hardwood performance, falling just shy of our best overall, the Ecovacs Deeboth T30S Combo (85%). Sand pickup performance on carpet (Midpile): 51.77%, this surpasses the Dreame X50 Ultra (44% mid-pile) 51.77%, this surpasses the Dreame X50 Ultra (44% mid-pile) Sand pickup performance on carpet (Low-Pile): 51.06%, which comes close to matching the Shark Power Detect NeverTouch Pro (54.5%). 51.06%, which comes close to matching the Shark Power Detect NeverTouch Pro (54.5%). Voice command compatibility: The app can be connected to Amazon Alexa for voice commands. The app can be connected to Amazon Alexa for voice commands. Customizable: The app allows for a wide range of customization, including dustbin emptying frequency, mop washing frequency, cleaning patterns, obstacle photos, and enabling/disabling the robotic arm. The app allows for a wide range of customization, including dustbin emptying frequency, mop washing frequency, cleaning patterns, obstacle photos, and enabling/disabling the robotic arm. Mapping features: The app displays the 2D and 3D maps generated by the robot, allows for room tagging, furniture identification, and setting "no-go" zones. It also identifies pet areas and allows for "Pet Area Cleaning." The app displays the 2D and 3D maps generated by the robot, allows for room tagging, furniture identification, and setting "no-go" zones. It also identifies pet areas and allows for "Pet Area Cleaning." Wi-Fi connectivity: The robot needs to connect to Wi-Fi for setup and app control. The robot needs to connect to Wi-Fi for setup and app control. Dual spinning mopping pads: The robot uses a pair of dual spinning mopping pads that attach and detach from the docking station. The robot uses a pair of dual spinning mopping pads that attach and detach from the docking station. Clean and dirty water system: Uses clean water for mopping and collects dirty water in a separate tank, ensuring cleaner mopping. Uses clean water for mopping and collects dirty water in a separate tank, ensuring cleaner mopping. Mopping pad cleaning and drying: Mopping pads are washed and hot-air dried at the base station between cleaning sessions. Mopping pads are washed and hot-air dried at the base station between cleaning sessions. Mopping modes: The "Vacuum+Mop" mode vacuums first and then mops the entire space. There are options for Deep cleaning, Pet Area and an AI-powered SmartPlan. Saros Z70 docked Ajay Kumar CNET's buying advice For the time being, I am holding off on scoring, rating or recommending the Saros Z70. While it excels at vacuuming, mopping, and navigation, the core feature – the OmniGrip arm – is not yet reliable enough for me to fully give an opinion on this product as a whole. Roborock told CNET it plans to roll out software updates in June and July that are expected to positively change my experience. Some of the anticipated improvements include improved grab point optimization, smarter sorting optimization, and new pickup categories like sports shoes. It is hard to ignore the $2,599 price tag. I argue that for the price, you could purchase two or three excellent standard robot vacuums and mops, like the Yeedi M12 Pro+, or a comparable high-performing model such as the Dreame X50 Ultra -- both on CNET's best robot vacuums best list. If all you care about is strong vacuuming, mopping and obstacle avoidance: The Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo is currently CNET's "best overall robot vacuum. Roborock Without a fully operational and reliable OmniGrip arm, I can't justify its value for the cost at this time. 'The arm is a neat feature to watch, but I personally don't find it very useful,' said Hannah. ' I feel like if the robot is smart enough to avoid obstacles such as shoes and socks, I don't need it to try and pick them up and move them. As long as the robot doesn't get stuck on anything during its cleaning cycle, that's good enough for me.' If the OmniGrip arm is your primary reason for considering the Saros Z70, I recommend you wait for future software updates or consider alternatives until that feature is more refined.
The Verge
20-05-2025
- The Verge
I tested a robot vacuum with an arm, and my dog may never forgive me
I suspect my dog does not like the Roborock Saros Z70. Unlike the dozens of other robot vacuums that Gus happily lets clean around him while he sleeps, the Z70 keeps stealing his treasures. Not his dog toys — although that could be a future feature — but my family's socks that he loves to collect and carry around the house with him. Since the Z70 arrived, he's had competition. The first robot vacuum with a mechanical arm, the Z70 features a five-axis arm, branded the OmniGrip, that uses onboard sensors and a camera to see, pick up, and tidy away a small list of light items, including the aforementioned socks, footwear such as slippers and sandals, tissues, and paper. In theory, this means I should spend less time picking up after my kids or rummaging in Gus' bed to find the socks he's stolen. In practice, it's nowhere near achieving this goal. Yes, the arm can pick up items and put them away, which is seriously impressive. It collected my son's discarded socks and a few balls of paper, putting them where I asked it to. But the Z70's limitations are deal-breakers at this point, and its lack of consistency also lets it down. For example, while the bot would detect footwear, it nearly always opted not to pick up any shoes, only once retrieving a slipper or sandal of its own volition. It also consistently struggled to place more than one item in the correct spot each time it cleaned. Still, this is the first consumer robot vacuum to venture into appendage territory, and even in this beta-like stage, it's remarkable. But for an eye-watering $2,599, the Saros Z70 needs to pick up more than a few socks. The Saros Z70 is a flagship robot vacuum that's a big step up from my current top pick floor sweeper, the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra. With over twice the suction power, a more advanced navigation and obstacle detection system, and dual spinning mops that it can automatically remove, it's an impressive cleaner. However, aside from the arm, it's essentially the same vacuum as the $1,599.99 Saros 10R that launched with it earlier this year — with a few modifications made to accommodate the mechanism, including a different roller brush and a smaller onboard bin and water tank. For $1,000 less, the 10R is a better bet right now. While cleaning my house, the Saros Z70 used an AI-powered camera on the front of the robot to identify potential pickable objects, then returned to 'sort' them. This process, which was very slow, involved scrutinizing the object for a few moments, then shuffling around, pausing to unfold the arm from the body of the robot, extending it, twisting it horizontally or vertically, and using its pincer grip to grab the item. A camera in the 'hand' sees the item and determines how to pick it up, then a grip sensor measures the weight of the object — 300 grams (0.66 pounds) is the max. Sensors along the arm also detect if anything is in the way, to stop it pinching an object or banging into something. At one point, it tried to pick up a rug tassel, realized it was too heavy, and let it go. When it did manage to pick something up, it'd hoist the object high into the air and triumphantly carry it toward the zone I'd designated in the app. Socks or paper went into a Roborock-provided bin, with about an 80 percent success rate. The robot always dropped stuff, just not always in the bin. Sometimes just alongside it, and once or twice, when it got confused, absolutely nowhere near it. Footwear was supposed to go to the shoe storage area, but it only managed to pick up one sandal during my testing, studiously avoiding the slippers, flip-flops, and Crocs I left strewn around. Even then, it deposited the sandal just outside the shoe storage zone. Roborock suggested trying the manual control option in the app, which gives a live view from the camera on the arm to see if the bot could accurately identify and pick up one of the shoes it had been ignoring. This worked on the flip-flop, with the arm picking it up when directed. It just wouldn't do it autonomously. (Sidenote: The camera in the arm can be used as a roaming home security camera, providing an additional vantage point to the forward-facing one.) The Z70 did a good job with large socks, small fabric toys that looked like socks, and paper, but it didn't like small socks. However, in most cleaning runs, it only picked up one or two items, even if there were half a dozen shoes and socks scattered around. It also can't pick up items on carpet, so those socks my husband slipped off and hid under the coffee table while watching telly will go untidied. Speaking of tables, the arm can't reach under low furniture; if it detects anything above it within 45cm (17.7 inches), it won't deploy its arm. All of this illustrates the technology's promise versus its current reality. The robot uses AI to identify obstacles and determine whether to avoid them (like pet poop), clean around them (like cables), or pick them up. The logs in the app revealed that its success was comparable to that of a preschooler using flashcards. On one run, it identified the black flip-flop as a cable, a piece of paper as a plastic bag, and a brown slipper as pet poop. But on the next run, it picked up the same ball of paper with no issues. The arm is an impressive novelty, but not functional enough to be worth your money Today, the arm is an impressive novelty, but not functional enough to be worth your money. However, the hardware feels solid, and if the software can be improved, it could be very useful. I'm constantly picking up and relocating footwear that my family discards, and having a robot do it reliably would make my life easier, not to mention help with the Monday morning panic when we can't find my daughter's Crocs. If it could pick up larger items like clothes, deal with phone charging cables, and other common household clutter, I'd love to set it loose on my teenage kids' rooms to tidy up before cleaning. Roborock claims to have a slew of updates in the works for the bot, beginning next month, which it says should improve reliability and expand its object repertoire, crucially to heavier items like sneakers. The bot is currently limited to 300 grams (0.66 pounds) but is capable of handling up to 700 grams (1.5 pounds), according to Roborock. Hopefully, this will make the arm more confident when picking up footwear. Currently, it's very specific about what it will collect, largely as a safety feature. It did pick up the occasional small cat toy and stuffed animal, but mostly opted against trying to grasp an item if there was any doubt. Speaking of safety, both Gus and my cat, Boone, tried playing with the arm, and it immediately stopped moving, so I felt confident that they were safe. The arm is also surprisingly sturdy, although I'm not sure it would hold up to 70-pound Gus if he were determined to retrieve a sock. (There is an emergency stop button for the arm should something go wrong.) Arm issues aside, the Saros Z70 excels as a robot vacuum. Its StarSight 2.0 navigation system (a combination of solid-state lidar, 3D sensors, and cameras) navigated smoothly, dodging obstacles and ably avoiding common robot traps thanks to its ability to lift itself up 10mm and cross thresholds of up to 4cm. It's the first robot vacuum I've tested that never once got stuck on my rug, under my sofa, or between my lounge chair's spindly legs. Its 22,000Pa suction power demolished my oatmeal and Cheerio tests, and the dual spinning mop pads efficiently dispatched small spills of milk, juice, and dried ketchup. If you love the latest tech and are willing to pay (a lot) for potential, the Saros Z70 is a fascinating peek into the future — not to mention a fun toy (yes, you can remote control the arm). But if you're happy to pick up your own socks, Roborock's Saros 10R ($1,599.99) offers all the same floor cleaning abilities, minus the arm, for $1,000 less. (The Z70 was initially priced at $1,899.99, but Roborock recently raised it to $2,599 due to tariffs.) Are robotic arms the future of home cleaning? Probably. With the speed of innovation in home robotics, a Rosie the Robot-like autonomous cleaning machine in our homes is starting to feel less like science fiction. Roborock may have shipped the first robot with an autonomous arm, but it won't be the last. For now, the Z70 is an impressive, if flawed, glimpse of what's to come. Data privacy: Saros Z70 Bringing connected devices into your home also brings with it concerns about how the data they collect is protected. The Verge asks each company whose smart home products we review about safeguards it has in place for your data. The primary home data a robot vacuum like the Roborock manages are the maps it generates and video and image data from its onboard cameras. Roborock says that all map / cleaning data is encrypted before being sent to the cloud. Additionally, it says data only leaves the device if you view the map on its smartphone app. Otherwise, it stays locally on the device. The company says a maximum of 20 cleaning maps are stored at any one time, and any maps stored in the cloud are deleted after one year. A factory reset of the robot will remove any locally stored map information. The remote viewing and obstacle photo features are optional, not enabled by default, must be physically enabled on device, and can be turned off in the app. Remote viewing is live-streaming only (no video is recorded or stored). When viewing is enabled, the device collects your 'user ID, network IP address, and video information captured via the camera,' according to Roborock's Privacy Policy for Remote Viewing. This is in addition to Roborock's standard Privacy Policy. Photos of obstacles are governed by an Obstacle Photo Privacy Policy. Roborock says they are encrypted and stored on the robot vacuum and only sent to the cloud if you click on an icon on the map to view the image on your phone. Then it's secured with Transport Layer Security. It will be deleted from the server within three working days and from your phone when you exit the app. The robotic arm requires a camera to function. It is disabled by default and must be manually activated by the user. Once activated, it can be deactivated in the app.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Yahoo
8 Things to Know Before Getting a Robot Vacuum
Robot vacuums aim to fulfill the dream of every time-strapped person — that is, the dream of having a machine autonomously vacuum your floors clean and even mop them, too. It's a lovely thought: coming home to a clean home, with your little robot companion napping in its dock after a hard day's work. Of course, robovac owners know the reality is not that simple. While the technology found in robovacs has improved significantly since the introduction of the first Roomba in 2002 — for example, they are now much better equipped to navigate homes and some models can handle both vacuum and mopping functions — robovacs have a long way to go before they can claim to be truly autonomous cleaners. Here are eight things you should know before getting a robot vacuum. Robovacs use different technologies for them to be able to "see" and map your home, but some of these technologies often work better than others. For example, robovac maker Roborock employs RGB cameras and LiDAR in its S7 and S8 MaxV Ultra units, which CNET's test team found allowed them to accurately map and consistently clean every inch of our test floor. Robovacs employing other technologies don't fare as well, missing certain spots such as corners or even skipping rooms entirely. The point is, expect your robovac to do a pretty good job getting around, but you may have to slightly adjust your living space for a better clean. Speaking of adjusting your space, expect to get in the habit of clearing your living space before your robovac can get to work. With the exception of the Roborock Saros Z70 unveiled at this year's CES, which has an arm that can pick up socks, you'll have to remove any clothing or cords on the floor before your robovac gets to work. Got pets? Better hope they didn't have an accident, because robovacs have been known to run right over poop and spread it around the house. That said, certain robovacs do a fine job navigating pet messes, such as the Roomba J7 Plus, which CNET has named the best poop-detecting robovac. Speaking of furry friends, pet parents should be aware that many dogs and cats can find robovacs scary and stress-inducing (although dogs may find robovacs less threatening than more traditional vacuums). According to "The combination of loud noise, unpredictable movement and a strange smell is often overwhelming for cats and causes them anxiety." If you're still interested in buying a robovac, help your animals slowly adjust to their presence in your home. Even with newer, fancier robovac units that automatically empty their dustbins, refill water tanks and clean mop pads, you'll still have to conduct regular maintenance on your device so that it continues to perform well and won't prematurely break down. If your robovac doesn't self-empty, expect to do a dustbin dump every day. You'll also have to keep the wheels clean of debris on a daily basis. Other maintenance includes cleaning brush rolls and wheels every week and regularly checking charging contacts and sensors. Most robovacs autonomously charge themselves and many now come with self-emptying and self-cleaning docks. As mentioned, robovacs need sensors to navigate their environments. However, in the course of cleaning, these sensors may accumulate dust and other debris. To help your robovac stay on the top of its game, regularly clean sensors with a microfiber cloth (the same used to clean monitors and other screens). You may be tempted by combo robovacs that not only vacuum your floors, but mop as well. While certain units do an admirable job at both, expect to pay a several hundred dollar premium. Other issues can pop up as well, with combo robovacs leaving carpets damp or dragging a dirty mop pad across your floor. Certain robovacs perform both tasks better than others. For example, the Roomba Combo J7 Plus (one of CNET's picks for best overall robovac) comes equipped with an arm that stows the mop pad when carpets are detected. Along with keeping your living space tidy so your robovac can perform better, expect to clean up after it as well. While certain units (like the aforementioned Roborock) do a great job cleaning every inch of a room, others may skip out on areas such as corners or under furniture. It can also be quite annoying to call out the robovac for some spot cleaning, like, say, after dinner. It's good to have another vacuum cleaner that you control around for the messes left behind by the robovac. And for robo mops? Many lack the power to clean deep stains, so expect the need to apply some elbow grease. Robovacs will overall save you time, but be prepared to regularly chip in to help. Whether a robovac will work great for you depends on your living space. As mentioned, many robovacs often struggle with cleaning corners. They also have a tendency to get stuck on the thresholds between rooms (hence a new unit seen at CES that's equipped with legs). But if there's one thing that all robovacs can't handle, it's stairs. So if your living space is spread throughout multiple floors, expect to either carry your robovac to other floors to clean, or to buy a unit for each floor. Knowing what to expect when it comes to keeping your robovac running smoothly can help save you a lot of time and keep your home cleaner. If your robovac runs every day, you should empty its dustbin just as frequently. This will ensure that your robot works optimally and won't break down prematurely. This wasn't always the case, but several combo robot vacuums come highly recommended. CNET's picks for the best overall robot vacuum are the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo and Roomba Combo J7 Plus, both of which are equipped with mopping capabilities. CNET has named the iRobot Roomba S9 Plus the best robovac for pet hair and plush carpets. According to our reviewer, "[I]f your home is filled with plush carpets and your pets are having a field day shedding fur across them, then the self-emptying Roomba S9 Plus is a perfect pick for your home." Many robovacs work great on hardwood floors, but if you're looking for the best, CNET recommends either the Roomba. Combo J7 Plus or Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo, which we've named as best overall robovacs. They both mop, too. Along with being the overall best pick for pet owners, the iRobot Roomba S9 Plus also leads the pack when it comes to carpets. Our review team noted "its eye-popping performance on thick, plush carpets." Yes, robovac batteries are replaceable, and depending on how much you use them, you may have to do so every few years. Prices also differ, with iRobot selling replacement batteries for $90. A less official-looking battery for Eufy and Ecovacs units can be found on Amazon for around $20. Yes, Robot Vacuums Keep Your Home Tidy. 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