Saros 10R cleans without the need for lumps
Roborock brought us closer to our R2-D2 dreams at CES this year with the unveiling of the Saros Z70, a mopvac with an articulated arm that can clean small debris out of its path. And while having a mopvac chain around cleaning socks and cat toys instead of stepping on them is certainly welcome, the technology that makes this possible has benefits for all Roborock devices.
For obvious reasons, the Z70 doesn’t have the traditional LDS turret of traditional robovacs. Instead, the robot uses next-generation dual-light 3D Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensors and AI-powered RGB cameras. Roborock calls it the StarSight Autonomous System 2.0 (rolls right off the tongue, right?) and claims it’s the most accurate mapping and obstacle avoidance system they’ve ever produced.
What’s even better is that this new system isn’t exclusive to the high-end Z70. Roborock is giving the technology a home in the Saros 10R – an armless dual-rotor mop robovac that packs all the power of a bigger robot and uses the new StarSight system to pack it all into a slim package which is barely over 3 inches long.
What is it?
Roborock Saros 10R with Dock
The Roborock Saros 10R is a dual-rolling robovac with the company’s next-generation StarSight autonomous navigation system. Instead of a hump on top of the robovac that has a rotating LIDAR sensor, the 10R uses AI-powered side-mounted cameras and 3D sensors to accurately map its surroundings and identify and avoid obstacles.
What does it all mean? This means that at just 3.14″ tall, the 10R can fit even more into furniture and cupboards, while staying clear of things like socks, toys and, for the first time, cords on the side of the robot.
All the tricks to clean effectively without messing up.
It has an impressive suction power of 19,000 Pa, coupled with the tangle-free side and main brush first in their QRevo line. There is also a comb around the spinning wheel at the front of the unit to prevent long fibers from wrapping around the spindle. The result is an even better cleaning ability without any of the tangles of hair and fibers that traditionally plague robovacs.
10R features a host of new tricks in addition to improved obstacle avoidance. It is the first Robovac device that can independently lift the chassis, mop, side brush and main brush. The chassis lifts to overcome even tall door gaps, the mops automatically lift when the 10R senses carpet or rugs, and the brushes lift when in sweep-only modes or when cleaning high-pile carpet. The movers and brushes are also raised when the robot is returning to the dock to prevent cross-contamination between chambers.
Speaking of docks, the 10R has a fantastic multi-purpose dock. Roborock has had incredible docks for a while now, so it’s no surprise that this is the best yet. It has automatic emptying and filling technology (and refills 10R with warm water, which is new). It can also automatically remove and store mops when the robot is in vacuum only mode. Doc heats water to 176° when cleaning cloths and uses 131° hot air drying to prevent mold and mildew growth.
The new dock also enables 2.5-hour fast charging, so the 10R can be pulled out and continue cleaning.
But how is it cleaned?
Don’t worry, the dock isn’t that mirror-like in person
All this technology means nothing if the robot can’t clean. Thankfully, the Saros 10R met and exceeded my expectations.
In terms of cleaning effectiveness, I found the 10R reliable and thorough. I have a cat and two long-haired people in my house (including a teenager), so it doesn’t take long for dust bunnies to pile up and deposit trash like garbage and food crumbs. During the holidays, it was noticeable when I didn’t have the Saros 10R running every day.
Avoiding obstacles is really next level. No bumping into chairs or bumping into unexpected obstacles (like my feet) to figure out what is and isn’t something to avoid. The on-board artificial intelligence system recognizes 108 types of objects and has routines for avoiding them. What this translates to is a smooth ride around anything you put in the bot’s path and the near-complete elimination of bot saves.
Avoid ropes without problem
Cable detection has also been significantly improved. I almost always have problems with robovacs grabbing power cables that run along the wall, sucking them in and pulling them out of place. Not so with the Saros 10R. He avoided them completely, tracking their length without disturbing them, thanks to the new side-mounted cameras.
However, the Saros 10R takes its time. When it’s set to mop after every room, there’s a lot of back and forth (you can also set it as a fixed interval). All this travel means it usually takes a payment to clear 1300(ish) sq ft of open space in my house.
What’s nice is that you have control over almost every aspect of how and when the Saros 10R is cleaned via the Roborock app. It remains the easiest to use and most intuitive, allowing you to easily opt-in to beta features like pet avoidance (where the robot won’t disturb sleeping pets it detects).
Aside from having to refill and empty the water tanks once a cycle, there’s far less maintenance to do with the Saros 10R and its dock than any other robovac I’ve used. The dock also has a self-cleaning cycle.
Is it worth it?
With a retail price of $1,599 ($1,399 pre-order), the Saros 010R is an investment. The good news is that it’s an investment that pays off. The new obstacle avoidance system means you don’t have to constantly rescue the robot from stuck spots or pull socks and toys out of the vacuum.
Low height furniture is no problem.
The shorter height means the 10R can get under furniture and cabinets that other robovacs can’t (or insist they can and then get stuck themselves). I had bathroom cabinets that I had given up on cleaning, only to have the 10R zipper down in its prime.
It cleans impressively and cleans itself when it’s done, so you don’t have to worry about your robovac being the source of any contamination. Simply put, it’s Roborock’s best vacuum to the point where I wonder if even need a single arm version. I’ll be curious to see what the Z70 brings when it comes out later this year.
Meanwhile, the Saros 10R is up for pre-order on Roborock’s site and is currently $200 off its MSRP. If you’re looking for a reliable, autonomous mopvac, this is the one to get.