
In recent years, the integration of robotic arms into various types of robots has significantly expanded their capabilities, enabling them to perform tasks such as picking up objects, cleaning, and assisting in household chores. These advancements are not limited to industrial or humanoid robots but are increasingly entering the consumer market, offering practical solutions for everyday tasks.
Roborock Saros Z70: A New Era in Home Cleaning
One notable example is the Roborock Saros Z70, the first mass-produced robotic vacuum equipped with a foldable five-axis mechanical arm. This innovative design allows the Saros Z70 to move obstacles out of its path, clean previously inaccessible areas, and perform simple household tasks. The arm can pick up objects weighing up to 300 grams, such as socks or small toys, enhancing the cleaning experience by addressing common household clutter.
For a closer look at the Saros Z70’s capabilities, you can watch the following video:
Dreame’s Robotic Arm Attachment
At CES 2025, Dreame unveiled its development of a robotic hand attachment for their cleaning robots. This attachment can handle loads up to 400 grams, allowing the robot to move obstacles and clean areas that were previously inaccessible. The arm extends up to 30 centimeters, enhancing the robot’s reach and functionality. Amazing: Besides the arm feature, the Dreame robot can climb small steps. Find out more in the video.
Physical Intelligence’s Household Robot
A look away from the consumer market and towards the future: San Francisco-based startup Physical Intelligence is pioneering AI-driven robots capable of performing various household chores, including folding laundry, cleaning tables, and retrieving clothes from the dryer. Their AI model, π0, was trained on extensive data from different robots performing numerous tasks, aiming to create general-purpose physical intelligence. This approach draws inspiration from large language models, seeking to develop versatile and adaptable household robots.
We have already written elsewhere about the Primech AI robot called HYTRON. It appears to be one of the first complete cleaners specialized in wet cells to leap to real market maturity. As “The Robot Report” reported in January, Primetech AI has signed an MoU with a Japanese hotel chain: https://www.therobotreport.com/primech-ai-improves-hytron-cleaning-robot-performance-nvidia-tech/
Once again, the end consumer is more open to technology.
The developments in the end consumer market highlight the rapid advancement in cleaning robots equipped with robotic arms. As technology evolves, we can anticipate more sophisticated and versatile robots entering our facilities, performing a broader range of functions with increased efficiency and autonomy. As always, the first field tests in professional use will show how effectively robotic arms can be integrated into actual cleaning processes. Or whether it will take until the big all-rounders are ready for the market before robotic gripping offers real added value in professional cleaning.