What happens when one robot vacuum is no longer expected to do everything? iRobot is taking a radically different approach with the Roomba Duo, a dual-robot cleaning system designed to combine heavy-duty floor washing with the ability to reach spaces that larger machines cannot. Unveiled at IFA 2026, the system pairs a powerful main robot with a compact companion that work from the same home map.
• Dual-robot design targets different cleaning jobs
• Main unit vacuums, scrubs and steam-cleans floors
• Companion robot reaches tight and low spaces
The main Roomba Duo is built around a cylindrical body that packs wet-dry floor washing, powerful suction and a large battery into one machine. Its 60mm PowerSpin Max Roller Mop applies 46N of pressure while cleaning, while controlled steam helps loosen dried-on dirt and sticky spills before the self-cleaning roller removes them. Hot-air drying then helps reduce lingering moisture on hard floors, including wood.
• 46N of pressure delivers aggressive floor scrubbing
• Steam helps loosen stubborn, dried-on grime
• Hot-air drying helps protect floors from prolonged moisture
The more unusual part of the system is the compact robot carried by the main machine. Using a mechanical arm mounted on top, the main robot can deploy its smaller companion into areas it cannot comfortably reach. Measuring just 8.35cm tall, the companion can move beneath beds, sofas and cabinets while extending its mop pad and side brush into corners and along walls.
• Companion robot targets hard-to-reach areas
• Mop pad extends up to 31mm for edge cleaning
• Wheels can cross thresholds up to 3.5cm
The two robots coordinate through the Roomba Home App and share a single map of the home. LiDAR and PrecisionVision AI help them recognize obstacles and navigate multiple rooms, while elevated cameras on the main robot provide a broader view of the environment. A shared AutoWash dock handles water, wastewater, mop washing, drying and dust collection, reducing the amount of routine maintenance required.
• AI coordinates cleaning between both robots
• Advanced sensors improve navigation and mapping
• One dock manages charging and maintenance
Roomba Duo signals a broader shift in robot vacuums: instead of making one machine increasingly complex, iRobot is splitting the work between specialized robots. The prototype is being demonstrated at IFA 2026 in Berlin, offering a glimpse at a future where autonomous cleaners could work as coordinated teams rather than isolated appliances.
• Specialized robots expand cleaning coverage
• The system is designed for greater hands-off operation
• iRobot is positioning Duo as a step toward autonomous homes
Via: iRobot
