China’s Roborock Unveils a Robot Vacuum That Can Climb Stairs

Robot vacuums have learned how to mop, dodge cables, and even lift small obstacles. At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, Roborock added a new milestone to that list: stairs.

The company, headquartered in Beijing, China, used its CES stage to unveil the Saros Rover, a robot vacuum that uses a wheel-leg design to climb staircases, handle slopes, and clean areas that have long been off-limits to robotic cleaners.

Roborock describes the Saros Rover as the world’s first robot vacuum with a two-wheel-leg architecture. Each wheel-leg can move independently, allowing the robot to raise itself, lower itself, and adjust its balance as the ground changes.

According to the company, the Rover relies on artificial intelligence, motion sensors, and 3D spatial information to understand its surroundings and decide how its legs should move. In demonstrations at CES, the robot climbed stairs step by step, cleaned each stair as it went, rolled down ramps, and even performed small hops to clear obstacles.

Bloomberg reported that the Rover is still a concept device with no confirmed launch date. The publication noted that the robot moved more slowly when standing on its legs and that Roborock declined to share details about battery life.

Designed for multi-level homes

Stairs have long been a hard limit for robot vacuums. Roborock says the Saros Rover is built to change that, especially for multi-storey homes.

The company claims the Rover can handle traditional staircases, curved designs, and carpeted stairs with rounded edges. Beyond stairs, it is also designed to manage slopes and complex room thresholds that normally require a separate cleaning pass with a handheld vacuum.

In an interview with The Verge, Roborock’s Ruben Rodriguez said of the Rover’s path to market: “It will take a while to reach the market.” The Verge also reported that the Rover is currently a vacuum-only device, with no mopping system confirmed yet.

Roborock’s CES reveal comes after mixed reactions to earlier experimental products. At last year’s show, the company drew attention with the Saros Z70, a robot vacuum equipped with a mechanical arm. While the idea impressed on the show floor, reviews later criticized its high price and limited real-world usefulness.

This time, Roborock appears to be moving more cautiously. The company has emphasized that the Rover is still being refined, particularly in mobility, balance, and safety, should the robot stumble or fall.

New Saros and Qrevo models coming in early 2026

Beyond the walking robot, Roborock also introduced several new consumer-ready models expected to launch in the first half of 2026.

These include the Roborock Saros 20 and Saros 20 Sonic, both powered by a 35,000 Pa HyperForce motor and upgraded AI navigation capable of recognizing over 200 household objects. The Sonic model adds an extendable vibrating mop designed to reach edges and corners more effectively.

Also joining the lineup is the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow, the company’s first roller-mop robot vacuum. It uses a self-cleaning roller system that applies consistent pressure while cleaning close to walls and furniture edges.

Pricing and exact release dates for these models were not announced.

Also read: More brands are embedding AI into everyday gear, as AI home appliances expand beyond phones and PCs into the living room.