American consumer robotics maker iRobot revealed its Roomba Duo cleaning concept on Friday at the IFA 2026 technology trade show. The new system pairs a heavy floor-washing machine with a small secondary robot that rides on top and drops down to clean under low furniture. By splitting heavy scrubbing and tight-space access between two specialized devices, the company wants to solve a long-running problem where single robotic cleaners are either too bulky to fit under sofas or too small to clean tough floor grime.
Key Takeaways
- The setup uses two separate robots working from one shared room map and a single docking base.
- The larger base unit carries a motorized mechanical arm to lower and pick up the smaller companion cleaner.
- The main unit uses steam and a 60-millimeter roller mop with 46 newtons of downward pressure to remove tough floor dirt.
- The mini companion robot measures 8.35 centimeters high to slide under beds, low tables, and cabinets.
- An AutoWash docking station empties dustbins, refills clean water, and cleans dirty mop pads automatically.
How the Two Cleaners Work Together
The main unit features a tall cylindrical body designed to hold large water tanks, a high-capacity battery, and an internal steam heater. During floor runs, the machine releases warm steam to loosen sticky spots before its roller mop scrubs the floor. A hot-air dryer runs behind the roller to prevent water pools on wooden surfaces.
When the system detects narrow gaps or low clearance zones, the main machine stops and lowers the secondary unit to the floor using a flat-level mechanical arm. This secondary device, based on the Roomba Plus 575 Combo model, is 29.8 centimeters wide and 8.35 centimeters tall. It features an edge mop that extends outward by 31 millimeters to sweep dirt away from skirting boards and corners. It can also climb over floor sills up to 3.5 centimeters high.
Both cleaners communicate through the Roomba Home mobile app. They navigate using dual-line LiDAR sensors and object-avoidance cameras to steer clear of cables, shoes, and pet waste. The main unit also carries high-mounted cameras to scan room layouts from an elevated angle.
Once cleaning ends, both units return to a single AutoWash station. The dock sucks dry debris into a sealed dust bag, drains wastewater, washes the mop pads, and dries them with heated air to stop bad smells.
iRobot demonstrated working hardware at its Berlin booth but confirmed the Roomba Duo remains a concept prototype. The company did not announce retail prices or an official sale date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the iRobot Roomba Duo?
A1. It is a concept system that combines a large steam-cleaning robot with a smaller companion vacuum to clean both open floors and tight spaces.
Q2. How does the smaller robot get into tight spots?
A2. A mechanical arm on the top of the main robot lowers the slim companion to the floor near low furniture.
Q3. What is the height of the smaller companion robot?
A3. The secondary robot stands 8.35 centimeters tall, allowing it to slide beneath low sofas and beds.
