All articles tagged with #robot vacuum
IFA 2026 in Berlin is overflowing with new gadgets, but this guide separates what’s actually purchasable now from mere announcements—covering robot vacuums, AR glasses, smart lighting, wearables, and more with current prices and preorder tips, and promising updates as more items hit shelves.
Dyson unveiled 10 new products at IFA 2026, expanding from vacuums into AI-powered home and beauty tech, including its first camera-equipped toothbrush with brushing, liquid flossing and mouthwash dispensing, a redesigned HushJet air-purifier lineup, multiple robot vacuums, a PencilWash handheld cleaner, and new beauty tools like the Airsmooth dryer brush and Corrale CoolShine straightener, with prices from about $249 to $1,099 and releases starting this fall.
At IFA 2026, iRobot unveiled the Roomba Duo, a concept that pairs a heavy-duty floor-washing unit with a smaller Roomba carried on top and lowered via a mechanical arm to reach tight spaces; the Duo functions as an autonomous dock with clean and dirty water tanks and uses lidar/camera navigation, with the main unit capable of steam-mopping and cleaning solid messes. It’s touted as the most powerful iRobot vacuum yet, but no price or release date has been announced and durability questions linger as it remains in development.
At IFA 2026, Anker’s Eufy brand announced a new security lineup (NVR Security System E50 with 2K/4K dual-lens and OmniTrack AI, Video Doorbell S4, Window Camera E10, and a mmWave Fall Detection Sensor) and two home robotics devices (Robot Vacuum Omni E35 and Robot Lawn Mower S2 Max). Pricing and availability span multiple markets: E50 from $999 for a four-camera kit and $1,599 for eight cameras; S4 from $299; Window Camera $70; Fall Detection Sensor (no price listed). The Omni E35 vacuum carries TÜV and Asthma/Allergy Friendly certifications, with EU/UK availability Sept 4 and US pre-orders before Sept 25, early price around $1,000 (usual $1,300). The S2 Max mower maps/mows up to 3.7 acres, handles slopes up to 38 degrees with all-wheel drive, and ships in Europe in May 2027. An update notes the vacuum’s standard price is $1,300 (not $1,200).
A Taiwanese man used a robot vacuum’s camera to film his wife’s alleged affair and won about 500,000 TWD in a divorce suit, but was later sentenced to five months in prison for privacy violations after the court ruled the recording illegal and a breach of privacy; the case underscores that in Taiwan, cheating isn’t a crime, but secretly recording someone without consent infringes privacy.
A Taiwanese man filmed his wife’s alleged affair using a camera-equipped robot vacuum, winning NT$500,000 in civil damages, but receiving five months in prison and a NT$150,000 fine after a court ruled that secretly recording private behavior is illegal—even when used as evidence in a marital dispute—emphasizing that device capability does not equal legal permission to surveil.
iRobot unveils two SealForce-equipped Roomba robot vacuums at IFA 2026: the flagship Roomba Max 875 Combo with 35,000 Pa suction, a 20 L/s airflow, ThermaMist mopping, and an auto-cleaning dock; and the Roomba Plus 678 Combo, a midrange variant with 30,000 Pa suction, 18 L/s airflow, SprayForce for stains, but without ThermaMist. Both use lidar/camera navigation, work with Alexa/Google/Siri, are undergoing Matter certification, priced at $1,199 and $899 respectively, and are available now at iRobot.com; iRobot is now owned by Picea Robotics and is showcasing at IFA 2026.
WIRED’s Gear team curates 15 Amazon Labor Day 2026 deals on tech and home gear, including discounts on Sony WH-1000XM5 and XM6 headphones, Nothing Earbuds, Apple AirTag, EcoFlow Rapid Pro Power Bank, Anker Prime Power Bank, Cuisinart TOA-70 air fryer oven, Anova Sous Vide 3.0, Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal robot vacuum and UltraCyclone Pro handheld vacuum, and Govee outdoor lights; prices are in flux, so check Amazon’s Labor Day Sale page for the latest, with WIRED’s broader deals coverage linked.
A Taiwanese man used live video from a robot vacuum to win about US$16,000 in a civil suit over his wife’s suspected affair, but was fined NT$150,000 and sentenced to five months in prison for secretly recording her. The court ruled that marital obligations do not override privacy rights, and his attempt to justify the filming as part of the case failed. After the fine was deducted from his award, he netted roughly US$11,000. The decision sparked mixed online reactions about privacy versus spousal disputes.
A Taiwanese husband who secretly recorded his wife having an affair by remotely activating a robot vacuum was jailed for five months and fined over $4,700 for invading privacy. He had previously won a civil suit against the lovers, but the court rejected his claim of legal justification for the recording, and his wife countersued for recording without consent, underscoring Taiwan’s strict privacy laws that penalize covertly recorded private activities.
The FCC’s ban on all foreign-made robot vacuums would block new models from entering the US, but The Verge argues it solves nothing about security. Instead it reduces model variety, slows innovation, and raises prices while leaving millions of existing robots in use with unchanged risks. Meaningful safety would come from strict cybersecurity standards (encrypted maps, audits, vulnerability disclosures, data-retention rules) rather than a manufacturing ban. Domestic production could help over time, but enforcement is uncertain and years of transition lie ahead; policymakers should regulate how securely robots work, not where they’re made.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission added foreign-made advanced robotic devices to its Covered List, effectively prohibiting import or sale of these robots in the U.S. due to national security and cybersecurity concerns. Robot vacuums from brands like Roborock, Ecovacs, Dreame, and Samsung are affected. Existing devices may continue to be used and already approved models remain authorized, but any new foreign-made model lacking FCC authorization cannot enter the U.S. The definition covers autonomous, networked robots over 4.4 pounds with sensors and connectivity, and exemptions may be granted after national security assessments.
The US FCC, citing a White House order, confirms a ban on foreign-made advanced robotic devices that covers robot vacuums and robot lawn mowers over 4.4 pounds, with requirements like obstacle sensing and wireless connectivity; the ban targets new robot models, not existing products already authorized for sale, and allows continued use and updates for those devices through at least January 1, 2029. Exemptions would need sign-off by the Defense Department or Homeland Security, with no major Chinese vendor exemptions granted to date; major Chinese manufacturers such as Roborock, Ecovacs, and Dreame are affected for new models.
NBC Select reports the Lefant M210 robot vacuum is 55% off on Amazon, bringing the price to about $90 (down from $199). This compact 11-inch diameter, under-3-inch-tall unit uses a brushless suction port, offers six cleaning modes, infrared sensors for navigation, and app control with Alexa/Google Assistant. It automatically docks when the battery is low, making it a low-maintenance choice for small spaces and pet households, backed by thousands of five-star reviews.
During Prime Day Ecovacs slashed the DEEBOT X12 OmniCyclone, a robot vacuum with mop capabilities, to $999.99 (down from $1,499.99). It boasts 22,000Pa suction, automatic stain detection and scrubbing, carpet-aware mop lifting, AI navigation, and an app for schedules and boundaries. It also replenishes about 13% of its battery in three minutes at return-to-base, making it a strong option for large homes or pet owners. The deal runs for Prime Day while supplies last.