Tech

iRobot unveils eight new Roomba models with AI navigation and hot spot mopping

A new lineup of eight robot vacuums targets low-clearance environments and sticky messes, starting at £229 and launching in mid-2026.

Author
Owen Mercer
Markets and Finance Editor
Published
Draft
Source: The Verge · original
These new Roombas are smaller and cheaper
The Shenzhen Picea Robotics-owned brand pivots to smaller, cheaper hardware for a global rollout next year.

iRobot has announced a refreshed range of eight robot vacuums, marking a strategic shift for the brand following its acquisition by Shenzhen Picea Robotics. The new lineup is designed to address specific household challenges, featuring a significant reduction in physical dimensions alongside enhanced cleaning capabilities.

The devices are engineered to navigate environments with lower clearance, with many models capable of operating under furniture with as little as 9cm of space. This represents a reduction in size of up to 25 per cent compared to previous iterations, aiming to improve manoeuvrability in tight domestic spaces.

A key innovation in this release is the introduction of "hot spot mopping," a feature intended to tackle stubborn, dried-on messes in high-traffic areas. The technology utilises roller mops and, on top-tier models, a pressurised hot-spray pre-treatment to loosen debris before scrubbing begins.

Hardware specifications have been upgraded across the board, with suction power increased significantly on higher-end units. The flagship Roomba Max 775 Combo delivers 30,000Pa of suction, while entry-level models still see a substantial jump in power compared to their predecessors.

The new range will launch in mid-2026 with an initial rollout across the UK, North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Pricing for the UK market starts at £229 for the base model, with the flagship unit priced at £799.

All models in the series incorporate advanced navigation systems, ranging from standard lidar to camera-based, AI-powered obstacle detection. This technology is designed to help the robots identify and avoid household clutter such as cords and shoes, ensuring more efficient cleaning cycles.

Continue reading

More from Tech

Read next: Apple to roll out manual EQ controls for AirPods in iOS 27 update
Read next: Apple rolls out visionOS 27, integrating AI-driven Siri into Vision Pro headset
Read next: Apple Overhauls Siri with Google Gemini Partnership and Standalone App at WWDC 2026