Robot Vacuum Race Heats Up: Companies Demo Stair-climbing Models
LAS VEGAS – The future of robotic vacuum cleaners took a notable step forward at a recent tech showcase, as multiple companies demonstrated prototypes capable of autonomously navigating stairs.Dreame, Eufy, and Mova all presented solutions to a longstanding challenge in robotic cleaning, potentially expanding the reach of these devices to entire homes.
Dreame’s robot completed a stair climb and descent in approximately 2.5 minutes, while Eufy’s MarsWalker achieved the task in just 1 minute and 45 seconds. Mova’s Zeus 60, utilizing a unique scissor-lift and sliding motion, took six minutes for the same maneuver, though a Mova engineer stated the robot can operate faster for safety reasons.
The Mova Zeus 60 resembles a 1980s VCR or vinyl turntable in appearance. While slower than competitors on a standard staircase, Mova claims its design can handle spiral staircases, a capability not yet demonstrated publicly.”It took an agonizing six minutes to complete,” noted one observer of the Mova demonstration.
All three companies plan to release their stair-climbing robots within the next year, but pricing remains undisclosed. representatives from each company indicated pricing decisions may be contingent on competitor strategies.
The progress marks a major advancement beyond previous concepts like the Ascender, which aimed to both climb and clean stairs but remains unreleased. While none of the current prototypes address stair cleaning specifically, the ability to navigate stairs represents a crucial step toward fully automated home cleaning.
© WES DAVIS / GISMODO
