Roborock's Saros Rover robot vacuum with wheel legs climbs stairs and dodges obstacles at CES

Roborock Introduces Robot Vacuum With Legs at CES 2026

Roborock has unveiled the Saros Rover at CES 2026, marking a significant shift in how robot vacuums navigate complex home environments1

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. This robot vacuum with legs features genuine wheel legs that deploy and retract, mimicking human mobility to climb stairs, overcome obstacles, and clean multi-level homes2

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. Unlike previous attempts at stair-climbing vacuums, including the Eufy Marswalker and Dreame CyberX showcased at IFA 2025, the Roborock Saros Rover can actually clean each step as it ascends1

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How the Wheel Legs Enable Stair Climbing

The Saros Rover operates using a two-wheel-leg architecture that sets it apart from conventional designs. During demonstrations, the device took approximately 30 to 40 seconds to climb five large steps1

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. The climbing motion resembles a stork or long-legged bird, with the legs acting as support to push the flat body up onto the next step1

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. Each leg can move independently, allowing the robot vacuum to anchor itself with one leg while it rolls up and down the step above to ensure thorough cleaning3

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. The prototype model demonstrated the ability to tackle traditional staircases, curved staircases, and even carpeted stairs with bullnose fronts1

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AI-Driven Navigation and Advanced Obstacle Avoidance

What makes the Roborock Saros Rover particularly impressive is its software capabilities. The device uses an AI algorithm working with motion sensors and 3D spatial mapping to react to its surroundings1

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. This AI-driven navigation enables the robot vacuum to rise up on its wheel legs for increased maneuverability, giving it reach and height comparable to human mobility1

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. During CES demonstrations, the Saros Rover showcased remarkable balance and control, descending a steep ramp with the ability to stop partway and reverse—something rarely seen in robot vacuums1

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. Roborock engineers also demonstrated the device dodging tennis balls thrown at it, representing its ability to identify and react to fast-moving objects like pets and children1

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Competitive Advantage Over Other Stair-Climbing Models

The Saros Rover distinguishes itself from competitors in the emerging stair-climbing robot vacuum category. While the Eufy Marswalker and a Dreame concept model shown at IFA relied on separate rover systems with treads to carry them up stairs, neither could clean while climbing2

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. The Dreame X50 Ultra, an earlier attempt, could only overcome thresholds of around two inches1

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. By contrast, the Roborock device can climb stairs, clean each step thoroughly, and navigate multi-level room thresholds without additional attachments4

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. This capability addresses a major limitation in smart home technology, where robot vacuums have traditionally been confined to single floors.

Technical Specifications and Performance

The Saros Rover features 19,000 Pa suction power through Roborock's HyperForce® system, allowing it to handle dirt, debris, and pet hair across various surfaces5

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. The device includes anti-tangle technology to prevent hair from clogging brushes during operation5

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. Its RockDock base station automates maintenance tasks such as emptying the dustbin and cleaning brushes5

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. The robot vacuum is also compatible with Matter, a universal smart home technology standard, ensuring seamless integration with existing ecosystems5

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. During demonstrations, there was only one instance where the prototype model lost its balance slightly, but it managed to correct itself effectively1

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Market Implications and Future Availability

Roborock has not announced pricing or a release date for the Saros Rover, stating they need to perfect the technology first3

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. However, the fully operational unit displayed at CES signals this is more than a distant concept2

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. Given that Roborock's previous innovation, the Saros Z70 with a mechanical arm, launched at $2,599, industry observers expect the stair-climbing model to carry a premium price4

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. The device could make a substantial difference for homeowners who don't live in single-story homes and want one robot vacuum to clean their entire house3

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. If the Saros Rover can handle stairs, thresholds, inclines and other barriers as demonstrated, it would place Roborock ahead of most competitors in the market1

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. The technology represents a shift from Roborock's previous approach with the Z70's mechanical arm, which reviewers found limited in functionality and more novelty than practical tool2

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