This year sparked expectations for groundbreaking advancements in home robotics, particularly with the anticipation of a stair-climbing robot vacuum. Although the Dreame X50 Ultra, unveiled at CES, is often described in this context, its stair-climbing capabilities are somewhat limited. It can only scale obstacles under two inches high, classifying it more as a threshold climber, which, while perhaps less thrilling, still serves a practical purpose.

Equipped with impressive technology, the X50 boasts an astounding 20,000Pa of suction power. To put this into perspective, many excellent models typically operate below 12,000Pa. Despite the allure of high suction figures, there exists a threshold beyond which performance does not significantly improve. Interestingly, some industry professionals have shared that the surge in suction ratings primarily caters to consumer preferences for higher numbers. Nevertheless, enhanced suction capabilities are undoubtedly advantageous.

The trend in robotics is shifting towards integrating cameras alongside LiDAR technology. Although LiDAR measures spatial dimensions using light, it lacks the precision offered by camera systems. On the X50, the retractable LiDAR tower facilitates access to lower areas, such as beneath furniture, allowing for the use of advanced RGB cameras powered by AI for navigation and object recognition, helping the robot to avoid obstacles.

This year’s innovations heavily emphasize brush detangling features, a necessary focus given the frequent entanglement of rollers not just with hair but with an assortment of debris including fabric threads and various items on the floor. The necessity of manually freeing tangled brushes can be a hassle. The Dreame X50 offers a practical solution with its extendable brush arm and dual rollers. Notably, these rollers can also rotate in reverse, contributing to effective detangling. The product has earned a TÜV certification for their promise of “100% detangling.”

Now for the most intriguing feature: the Dreame X50 Ultra is designed with legs that can elevate the front of the vacuum to overcome obstacles of up to two inches in height. While this may seem minimal, the development team has consistently enhanced this capability, fostering hopes that future models may scale stair-like challenges. What does this two-inch lift accomplish? It enables the vacuum to navigate over various household items such as power cords, small shoes, or the edge of rolled rugs. More significantly, it allows the X50 to conquer substantial thresholds, facilitating access to previously unreachable areas.

The anticipated retail price for the Dreame X50 Ultra is $1,699, with pre-orders starting on January 7, leading up to its launch just in time for Valentine’s Day.