It’s one small step for robotic vacuum kind, it seems, as Dreame gives its automated vacuum the ability to handle little ledges.
Robot vacuums are great for cleaning maintenance on flat surfaces, but not every home plays by the totally “flat surfaces” rule. Some homes have a step here and there separating other rooms, such as a small step in the bathroom or kitchen, or maybe a one level house with a step separating one part of the house from another.
Steps can create a bit of a problem for robotic vacuums, which are typically made to roam around flat areas thanks to their wheels and brushes. It means anywhere with a step is usually an obstacle vacuums won’t really respond to, even if the camera and sensor system can see them.
But this year, we’re starting to see some changes.
At CES earlier in the year, Dreame Technology showed off a robo-vac with retractable legs able to climb small steps and take on more complex home layouts. It’s not a full step climber — it won’t handle a full flight of stairs — but it’s a start, and it’s one Australians will see very shortly.
Dreame has launched its X50 Ultra robotic vacuum with retractable legs, delivering a way to deal with small steps as high as 6 centimetres thanks to something the company calls “ProLeap” which lifts the robotic vacuum up and onto a step before using its wheels to push itself higher.
That’s not the only development in the high-end X50 Ultra, with an adjustable Time of Flight sensor that can be lowered into position to let the vacuum make its way into smaller spaces, all while it uses two arms to clean, vacuum, and mop.
Both of those will be found in the $2999 X50 Ultra, but it’s not the only version on the way. A slightly smaller variation made without the tall base station will be coming in the X50 Master later on, as well.
For now, there’s no price or availability for the X50 Master, but the X50 Ultra will see release shortly for just under $3000 locally.
