Ecovacs’ New Robot Vacuum Bets on Onboard AI to Sidestep “Smart” Home Limitations
LAS VEGAS, NV – Ecovacs is attempting to future-proof its Deebot X11 OmniCyclone robot vacuum by leaning heavily into local, onboard artificial intelligence, a move possibly addressing growing concerns about smart home device obsolescence tied to cloud dependency. The X11 boasts the ability to identify spills and messes, determine optimal cleaning methods – including selecting from mopping solutions stored in its charging dock – and adapt its cleaning schedule based on observed user routines.
The core of this functionality lies in “Yiko,” Ecovacs’ generative AI-powered assistant. Users are reportedly able to issue natural-language commands, such as scheduling cleans for specific days (“Hey Yiko, only clean the bedroom on Fridays”) or times (“Hey Yiko, please clean up around my dining room table at 7 p.m. every night”), though the company acknowledges some requests may require pre-defined naming conventions within the Ecovacs Home app.
Though, a notable portion of the X11’s features are currently cloud-dependent. Loss of internet connectivity disables app control, remote operation, and access to cloud-saved video recordings. Critically, it also cuts off access to the yiko voice assistant.
To mitigate this, ecovacs offers an “Agent hosting” mode, shifting control entirely to the robot’s onboard AI. In this mode, the X11 can reportedly recognize over 100 object categories, down to the size of a grain of sand, and continue to autonomously clean and adapt its approach. According to Ecovacs representatives, the onboard AI will still adjust its schedule, identify messes, and modify its cleaning strategy even without an internet connection.
While the company is currently unsure if the Yiko voice assistant will eventually move to on-device processing, this move towards localized AI represents a step towards greater device independence, potentially shielding users from the pitfalls of relying on continuous cloud connectivity for core functionality.
