iRobot

iRobot presented the Roomba Duo concept at IFA 2026: a heavy-duty floor washer that carries a smaller Roomba vacuum on a mechanical arm to deploy in tight areas. The main unit offers the company’s most powerful vacuuming and steam-mop capability, plus onboard clean/dirty water tanks and a dust bag, while lidar and cameras handle navigation. iRobot’s new CEO Hao Li said the design signals the company’s future, but the Duo has no price or release date, and durability, specs and practical fit for homes remain uncertain. » More on theverge.com

The FCC has banned imports of foreign-made mobile robots, effectively blocking new robot vacuum models from major overseas manufacturers and leaving only US-assembled options like Matic, which still relies on many foreign parts. The rule targets manufacturing location rather than product security, likely reducing competition, slowing product innovation, and pushing prices higher while existing devices remain largely unaffected. Industry players warn the measure may spur domestic manufacturing long-term but will not immediately improve device cybersecurity without specific security standards. » More on theverge.com

iRobot introduced the Roomba Electro Plus, its first manually operated cordless hard-floor cleaner that vacuums, mops, sanitizes and self-cleans using electrolyzed tap water as a disinfectant. The company also unveiled five updated Roomba robot vacuum models with higher suction, smaller footprints and lower prices, including top and midrange combos with hot-water mop washing and improved lidar and AI features. New models are available for preorder in the US, replacing parts of the 2025 lineup and aiming to offer more compact, cost-competitive options. » More on theverge.com