If there’s one limitation that’s stuck with robot vacuums over the years, it’s the stairs. Robovacs will happily map your rooms, empty themselves, and dodge socks—but they stop cold at step one. Roborock is trying to change that with the Roborock Saros Rover, a concept vacuum with legs. Yes, I said legs.
Unveiled at CES 2026, the Saros Rover has wheel-leg design that gives it lift, reach, and balance as it encounters changes in height, like on stairs. Interestingly, the robot climbs, pivots, hops, and stabilizes while its main body stays level. Think less “pancake-shaped robot” and more “nimble rover that just happens to vacuum.”
Travels beyond flat floors with wheel-leg architecture
The main point here is access. Roborock positions Saros Rover for homes where traditional bots fail—places with curved staircases, upper floors, and uneven transitions between rooms.
But this robot doesn’t just travel up the staircase; it can clean each step along the way, addressing an area that usually requires a handheld or a vacuum with a special attachment. But, let’s be honest, how often can we all manage that at home?
Designed for staircases, slopes, and tricky thresholds
Beyond steps, Roborock says the Rover is designed to tackle
That combination is really appealing for multi-story homes where robot vacuums need to be one device per level or frequently relocated by hand.
AI movement gives the Rover human-like agility
Under the Saros Rover’s hood is where things get even more interesting. Roborock says it relies on AI motion planning, environmental sensing, and 3D spatial awareness to understand its surroundings and respond quickly. These are what allows the system to perform quick adjustments. So it won’t just bump, back up, and try again.
The idea is that it’s less a home robot that follows rules and more one that learns how to move around your house—even when the house isn’t flat.
Real product in development — but timing still TBD
Roborock is clear that Saros Rover isn’t a distant sci-fi idea; it’s a genuine product under development. There’s no confirmed release date yet, and details like pricing and full specifications are still to come. For now, the company is showing what’s possible and testing reactions before it heads to full production.
The Saros Rover also currently focuses on vacuuming rather than mopping, with Roborock still deciding how—or whether—to integrate a water system.
Why it matters
Stair-climbing robots like the Saros Rover mark a robovac shift. They’re machines that move through homes the way people do. If Saros Rover delivers on its promise, it could shrink the list of “no-go zones” and finally make automated whole-home robotic cleaning realistic instead of a fantasy.
Until we see pricing, release timing, and long-term testing, big questions remain. But, as it stands, Saros Rover is one of the boldest home tech concepts at CES 2026.