Roborock has unveiled a robot vacuum that can climb stairs and negotiate obstacles that have long confined autonomous cleaners to single floors, marking a notable advance in domestic robotics and raising expectations for multi-level home automation. The Saros Rover, presented by the Beijing-based company at a major consumer electronics showcase, uses legged mobility combined with artificial intelligence to move between floors without human assistance, a capability the industry has pursued for more than a decade.At the centre of the design is a pair of retractable, articulated legs that lift the body of the robot and allow it to climb standard household steps. Unlike earlier experimental models that relied on ramps or manual repositioning, the Saros Rover can detect staircases, judge step height and depth, and ascend or descend while maintaining balance and suction performance. Roborock said the system had been tested across a wide range of stair materials, including wood, tile and carpet, and can handle typical domestic rises found in apartments and townhouses.
The company describes the product as an extension of its existing premium vacuum line rather than a separate concept device. According to Roborock engineers, the Rover integrates the same high-powered suction motors and mopping systems used in its flagship models, ensuring that mobility improvements do not come at the expense of cleaning effectiveness. Sensors distributed around the chassis provide real-time mapping, while onboard processors interpret visual and depth data to avoid collisions with furniture, cables and pets.
Roborock’s stair-climbing robot changes home cleaning in a market that has grown crowded but incremental. Global sales of robot vacuums have risen steadily as prices fell and navigation improved, yet the inability to handle stairs has remained a critical limitation. Households with multiple levels have typically needed several robots or manual intervention, undermining the promise of full autonomy. Industry analysts say that a commercially viable stair-climbing unit could reset consumer expectations and push competitors to rethink hardware design.
Artificial intelligence plays a central role in the Saros Rover’s operation. Machine-learning models trained on thousands of household layouts allow the robot to distinguish between stairs, ledges and drop-offs, reducing the risk of falls. The system also adapts its route planning over time, learning which paths are most efficient and which obstacles are temporary. Roborock said the robot can recognise changes such as moved furniture and adjust its cleaning map without requiring a full reset.
The development reflects a broader trend in consumer robotics towards combining perception, learning and mechanical innovation. Until now, most robot vacuums have relied on wheels and incremental software updates to improve performance. Legged mobility introduces new engineering challenges, including power consumption, stability and noise control. Roborock claims it has addressed these through lightweight materials and energy-efficient actuators, allowing the Rover to complete multi-floor cleaning cycles on a single charge under typical conditions.
Pricing and release timing have not been finalised, though the company has indicated that the Saros Rover will sit at the top end of its range. That positions it for early adopters rather than mass-market buyers, at least initially. Previous high-end models from the brand have commanded premiums justified by advanced mapping and self-emptying features, and executives suggest that stair-climbing capability could follow a similar adoption curve as costs decline.
Competitors are watching closely. Several robotics firms have demonstrated prototypes capable of limited stair navigation, but none have reached large-scale commercial production. Analysts note that reliability and safety will be key hurdles, as consumers are unlikely to tolerate devices that damage floors or become stuck mid-climb. Regulatory standards for household robots are also evolving, with greater scrutiny on mechanical safety as machines gain more physical agency.
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