Integrated legs instead of an external lift
Last year, manufacturers like Dreame, MOVA, and Eufy presented initial concepts for stair-climbing robots. However, these solutions shared a common drawback: they were mostly based on separate, bulky add-on modules that simply carried the robot up or down the stairs like an elevator. The robot itself remained passive, and the stairs remained dirty.
The Roborock Saros Rover, on the other hand, has its climbing capability integrated directly into the chassis. This is achieved through a novel two-wheel-leg design. This transforms the stairwell from an insurmountable obstacle into a regular cleaning area. A YouTube clip from our colleagues at CNET shows what this looks like in action.
Jumping and balancing
The patented mechanism allows the robot to raise, lower, or extend each of its "wheel legs" independently. Demos at CES showed the Saros Rover exhibiting an almost organic mobility that goes far beyond simply climbing stairs and is more reminiscent of an autonomous robot.
- Active cleaning: According to the manufacturer, the robot can handle not only standard stairs, but also spiral staircases, carpeted steps with rounded edges (bullnose) and complex thresholds.
- Balancing act: On uneven ground, the chassis compensates for differences in height in real time, so that the robot's body always remains horizontal.
- Jumping capability: The rover not only avoids obstacles, but also performs small jumps to, for example, overcome laser barriers or dynamically avoid suddenly appearing objects (such as thrown tennis balls).
The complex motor system is controlled by AI algorithms and 3D spatial sensors that constantly scan the environment. Roborock emphasizes that the Saros Rover is currently only a product demonstration. An official release date or price has not yet been announced. However, previously insurmountable stairs should soon be a thing of the past.
Source: Roborock press release
