Dreame publicly announced its development of a robotic hand attachment for the first time at CES 2025. Dreame claims its robotic arm will be able handle a load of up to 400 grams, positioning the company as a competitor in a growing landscape of multitasking vacuum robots which are emerging in 2025. The robotic hand attachment extends up to 30 centimeters. Dreame’s version is in late-stage development, although it still has some things to work out before it will be ready for production, and we do not know yet what model it will appear on.
Another robotic arm is expected to be added to the SwitchBot K20+ Pro, but it is still in the lab stage.
The Roborock Saros Z70‘s 5-axis robotic arm can lift 300 grams, and it is already in production and slated to hit the consumer market this year, which puts Roborock well ahead of the competition.
Update May 12, 2025: The Roborock Saros Z70 is now available to view on Amazon.
A robotic arm broadens the usefulness of a robot vacuum, allowing it to pick up and move lighter obstacles, opening the door to more hands-free chores. The Saros Z70 has already demonstrated this ability with items like socks and tissues. If Dreame’s product comes to the market and proves to perform better with heavier items and dexterity, it may prompt other manufacturers to incorporate robotic arms, raising the bar for everyone in this competitive landscape.
Use Cases and Practical Implications
The possibilities for these robotic arms extend beyond simply picking up stray socks or toys. A well-designed arm could clear a floor of light clutter, help with simple household tasks, and retrieve items for individuals with mobility challenges. The multi-tasking SwitchBot K20+ Pro has announced its intentions to add an arm to its moving platform, introducing the potential for robot vacuums to one day be much more than floor cleaners.
However, adding an arm is not without its challenges. A robotic arm requires additional power, potentially draining battery life faster and adding weight that could affect the robot vacuum’s movements. Durability and dexterity are also important, as these robots must have enough grip strength to handle objects securely without damaging fragile items or the vacuum itself.
Conclusion
Dreame’s effort to add a robotic hand is a significant milestone that elevates the potential of robot vacuums, hinting at a future where these devices take on a broader range of household tasks. It’s genuinely exciting to see advances in household robotics—especially when their potential starts to come into focus. By expanding their functions, these machines inch closer to becoming true household assistants.
While robot vacuums still have more immediate problems to solve—like improving navigation, mopping efficiency, and obstacle climbing—many users will be intrigued by the possibility that, someday, their robot vacuum might also straighten up the living room.
