Dirt detect and customizable cleaning solutions. SmartPlan AI still doesn't identify smaller objects. Roborock's Curv robot vacuum is probably the most attractive robot vacuum I've ever tested. The domed white docking station is attractive, convenient, and compact. It doesn't hurt that Roborock's navigation and cleaning systems are consistently the best among the robot vacuums I've tested.

My job is one in which companies make big promises and rarely follow through. In that respect, it's remarkable that Roborock launched the Saros Z70 with OmniGrip at all. A robot vacuum with a retractable arm that can identify, pick up socks, and put them away seemed like such a big leap forward that I have to applaud Roborock for releasing it for consumer purchase at all. That said, the robot arm … doesn't really work. At least, it doesn't in my home, which is exactly the type of home that would call for a helpful robot arm. I've been testing it for two months now, and Roborock's machine learning hasn't helped it out yet.

It's our first chance to see a ton of new products that will debut this year (and some concepts that won't). They include everything from TVs and audio gear to full-fledged robots. The sheer volume of products can be overwhelming, but we've chased down all the cool new stuff at this year's show and highlighted inventions here for you to scroll (with more coverage to come in the next week). Our main takeaway: 2025 is going to be a great year for gadgets. Samsung's Frame TV has long been a favorite of interior designers and people who don't want a giant black void in their room whenever the TV isn't in use. You'll find two big upgrades in Samsung's new versions.

CES is known for splashy TV and laptop launches, but in 2025, there were more than a few companies trying to make waves with robot vacuums, too. After years where it seemed like vacuuming, mopping, and self-emptying might be the peak of a robot vacuum's abilities, this year's show introduced home robots with whole new functionality -- and appendages. Here's the robot vacuums that caught our eye at CES 2025, many of which you could invite to clean your living room later this year. Roborock's flagship vacuum for 2025 is the Roborock Saros Z70, a circular robot vacuum on the outside, that hides a retractable "OmniGrip" arm that can pick up and move objects on the inside. The arm is capable of five axis movement and is only able to carry around 300 grams, which makes it better at moving clothes and cables than anything truly heavy.

It turns out that Roborock isn't the only company that brought a robot vacuum with a mechanical arm to CES 2025. Rival company Dreame, which unveiled its stair-climbing robot vacuum earlier in the week, is also working on a robot vacuum with an arm for picking up objects. The device is still a prototype, according to the company, but the as yet unnamed robo vac was on full display at Dreame's CES booth. Considering it's still a prototype, the actual arm looked far more substantial compared to the one on Roborock's Saros Z70. It was much thicker and had a bigger "claw" that looked like it might be able to pick up slightly heavier objects.

Devindra: We are here what is this, the beginning of night one of CES officially? Devindra: guess we have already suffered through basically day minus one. Devindra: One thing I want our listeners to understand is that we have already seen a lot of things we kind of know where the CES is headed. And, I think this is a cursed show Cherlynn. How do you feel about that? Yeah, I think I mean, Devindra, I'll let you speak to your situation, but we've had team members who have fallen deathly ill. We have also, like, people who have completely had to miss their flights, international flights. It's been quite Engadget team, but we have a really, really good team of people. Everyone's got great attitudes and, like, our spirits are high. You want to just get the stuff going.

The Sony CES 2025 keynote will begin soon and you can watch it, and follow our coverage live, right here. The Afeela electric vehicle dominated Sony's 2023 and 2024 CES press conferences and it appears that trend will continue this year, with an appearance at the Sony event (and a followup press conference) already confirmed. This represents a change for Sony, a CES mainstay company, as it's better known for its decades in the consumer electronics space with its Walkman portables and Trinitron TVs of old along with next-gen PlayStation consoles and Alpha cameras. The Afeela is the first product from Sony Honda Mobility, a joint venture between the Japanese electronics and transportation giants. After a surprise rollout at CES 2023, the Sony CES presser teed up additional details on the EV's LiDAR-heavy sensor array and AI-enhanced cabin tech (the latter coming with an assist from Microsoft) at CES 2024.

The list of things that robot vacuums can do right now continues to grow. They can make an accurate map of your home so they don't bump into things. They can empty themselves and recharge themselves. They can reach under your couch to clean up crud. Many have dual mopping-vacuuming functionalities to wipe up your dog's muddy footprints.

Robot vacuums can remove the dust and dirt on your floor, but you still have to pick up stray socks and and any item strewn about your home. Now Roborock, a Chinese company that manufactures robot vacuums and other household cleaning appliances, has unveiled a new model that can pick up small objects so you don't have to. The Roborock Saros Z70 has a foldable robotic arms that the company calls the "OmniGrip." It has five axis and can lift objects under 300 grams like socks, light sandals and small dog toys to put them away. Apparently, the AI-powered vacuum marks objects it can lift while going about cleaning the floor and then circles back to pick them up when it's done.

So you thought your new robot vacuum with its self-emptying bin and LiDAR navigation was state of the art? Robot vacuum technology has grown by leaps and bounds over the past year alone. Besides simply emptying their own bins and mapping your rooms with lasers (that's so 2022), the latest robot vacuums can hoist themselves over door thresholds, extend robotic arms to reach dust particles tucked in corners, apply elbow grease to stubborn floor stains, and more. Ever watch your robot vacuum struggle to crest a door threshold that's barely an inch tall? It's a sad sight, not to mention a barrier (literally) to achieving total vacuum coverage for your floors.