Where does a robotic vacuum maker go next? It turns out there are more places the tech can improve.
It’s been an interesting few years for the robotic vacuum, and one that is showing enormous growth. After tumbling down stairs and throwing themselves off ledges, robotic vacuums not only know how to recognise steps and such, they’ve also added mopping to their capabilities, and there are a bunch of manufacturers making them.
But one of the originals — Ecovacs — is looking at the question of “what else”, evolving its vacuum while also seeing where it can use similar robotics.
For instance, a robot that can roam around and clean the floor can have some of its innards replaced and used to cut grass instead, with Ecovacs building mowers.
It’s been dabbling in that category for a few years and joins other robotic vacuum makers moving to the back lawn, but there will be two in 2026 coming in the Goat A and the Goat O, robotic lawn mowers designed to work day or night, and trim lawns in an automated fashion.
If you have a pool, Ecovacs’ robotic technology can also be applied there, with a new approach for the company coming in the Ultramarine, a robotic pool cleaner that can clean the outside of the pool, and then literally jump in, sink to the bottom, and then clean the pool.
Consider those jobs gone if you have robots doing them for you, and they’re not alone.
There’s a new generation of the Ecovacs window cleaner in 2026, coming in the Winbot W3 Omni, which will connect with a washing station to allow it to keep washing without necessarily needing to change the cloth pads it cleans with. You’ll still need to set the cleaner up outside your window, but at least there’s a little less work to be done.
And even with robotic vacuums, there’s a change to the Deebot line, with this year’s X12 range. In fact, with the X12 Pro Omni, Ecovacs is reportedly using infrared light to pick up on stains, and then getting rid of them using high-pressure water from two nozzles, breaking it down and cleaning it up.
The Deebot X12 system also includes improvements to its self-washing mop technology, which will also come to the Deebot T90 Pro model, as well, just out of the flagship.
About the only product that might throw you off is a robotic dog. Yes, a robotic dog, with the “LilMilo” as it’s being called not so much being a companion for your dog, but more a companion for you.
Somewhere between Sony’s classic Aibo robotic pet and a modern day plush toy, the Ecovacs LilMilo is a combination of AI, cameras, robotics, and soft furry design to make a robotic companion in a world where not everyone can clearly have a pet.
We’re a little bit surprised by that last one, truth be told, and doubt it will see release in Australia, at least not in the immediate future. However, much of the rest should see release, with later in the year an expected timeframe overall.
