In the recent CES 2026, Roborock unveiled a stair-climbing robotic vacuum that could change the way we think about home cleaning. For years, robotic vacuums have improved increasingly with sharper navigation, stronger suction, and smarter automation. Stairs, however, remained a hard limit, leaving users to carry their devices between floors.
The breakthrough: Stair-cleaning robotics
The Roborock Saros Rover takes on this challenge, literally step by step.
The innovation, recently drew attention with its appearance on Jimmy Fallon, climbs stairs and handles changes in elevation while cleaning, moving beyond small upgrades to deliver a real functional breakthrough.
It takes on a different approach: treating stairs not as obstacles but as part of the cleaning area. The AI-driven wheel-leg system lifts, stabilizes, and adapts to varying step heights and surfaces, allowing the robot to move between floors while actively cleaning each step. Roborock addresses a long-standing limitation in autonomous home cleaning and brings multi-level households closer to fully hands-free floor cleaning..
How is Roborock solving the “stairs” problem?
Roborock has filed several patents and patent applications focused on improving robot mobility across multi-level surfaces, including stairs. From ramp systems, to adjustable wheel‑leg mechanisms and coordinated lifting devices, we take a look at the various inventions that overcome limitations of robot vacuums designed only for flat surfaces.
Stair-climbing ramp system for autonomous robots
Most autonomous mobile devices are confined to flat surfaces, forcing users to manually carry them between floors. This breaks full-home automation, adds friction to daily use, and limits the practical value of otherwise advanced robotic systems.
The patent application CN117489060 tackles this problem with a simple, yet practical idea. Instead of teaching robots to climb individual steps, the invention introduces a ramp designed specifically for stairs. The auxiliary stair-climbing device, paired with a coordinated control method allows wheeled robots to move smoothly between floors.
The system works by installing a ramp-like sloped body along the staircase. This slope bridges the height difference between steps, letting robots roll up or down, much like using a wheelchair ramp instead of stairs. Its design can vary in form, including curved or linear surfaces, segmented or foldable sections, and adjustable angles to accommodate different stair layouts.
Control logic and ramp detection
Beyond the physical ramp, the patent application also covers control logic. The robot can detect the ramp, determine the correct direction of travel, and switch to a special stair-traversal mode. In more advanced versions, the robot can even deploy and retract the ramp automatically, turning stair navigation into a coordinated hardware-and-software process.
Together, these elements move autonomous robots closer to true multi-floor operation, without requiring complex legged designs or step-by-step climbing mechanisms.
The patent application, titled “An auxiliary device for climbing stairs, a self-moving device and a method for climbing stairs,” was filed on December 13, 2023, published on February 2, 2024, and is currently pending. The listed inventor is Zhang Xiaoming.
Two-body design for multi-level cleaning
Another proposed solution for tackling stairs is to have two connected cleaning units that move together on flat floors and take turns moving when climbing or descending steps.
The system features two main bodies connected by an adjustable arm, each with its own cleaning module, which can move together on flat surfaces or alternately when navigating different heights, such as steps.
The robot uses a combination of tracks, telescopic columns, and suction cups to maintain stability and traction while moving between levels. The control system coordinates the movement of both bodies and the connecting arm, allowing the robot to climb stairs and clean vertical surfaces, expanding the effective cleaning area without requiring the user to manually carry it between floors.
Overall, this design eliminates the need for extra wheels or tracks, bringing robot vacuums closer to multi-floor automation.
The patent application CN121264882A, titled “Self-moving device and control method therefor” was filed on June 27, 2024, listing inventors Wang Zheng, Yu Guang, and Yang Fan.
Tilt and lift mechanisms for robot vacuums
This invention introduces a robot vacuum that can climb stairs on its own using a combination of hook claws at the front, a supporting plate at the rear, and motorized mechanisms. When the robot reaches a step, the hook claws catch the edge of the stair while the supporting plate lifts and stabilizes the back. Coordinated motors tilt and lift the robot, allowing it to climb one step at a time safely and efficiently.
The system also includes supports, springs, and wheels that maintain balance and prevent the robot from slipping or damaging the stairs.
The patent CN112790671A titled “Sweeping robot capable of intelligently climbing stairs” was filed on January 27, 2021 and was issued on May 13, 2022. The patent lists Zhang Wenting as the inventor.
Roborock: Patenting Activity
Roborock’s patent filings show a steady rise as the company moved from early product development to large-scale commercialization. Between 2015 and 2018, filing activity was limited, consistent with an early operating phase focused on establishing core robotic vacuum technologies.
From 2019 onward, patent activity increased sharply, with significant filings between 2021–2022. This surge reflects a sustained push to secure intellectual property across hardware design, navigation, and cleaning functionalities. The increase in filings aligns with higher R&D investment, which reached US$69.17 million, or 7.55% of total revenue. In 2021, the company reported 270 new domestic and international patents. (Note: Our data below shows 306 patent families (excluding design patents) in 2021, with priority year as our basis.
After a slight decline in 2023, patent filings rose again in 2024, reaching the highest level shown in the period. This rebound in patenting coincided with Roborock’s rise to the top position globally in robot vacuum sales and revenue in 2024, supported by strong year-on-year revenue growth and the rollout of new product generations featuring upgraded navigation, obstacle avoidance, and mobility technologies. The increase in granted patents in this period expands the company’s enforceable patent base.
Roborock: Top Technology Areas
Roborock’s global patent activity is heavily concentrated in domestic cleaning technologies, reflecting the company’s focus on robotic vacuum and floor-cleaning systems.
A significant share of filings fall under G05D, relating to systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables. This suggests continued development of control algorithms and mechanical regulation systems that support autonomous operation. Additional activity in G01S and G06V points to investment in navigation, sensing, and image or video recognition technologies, which underpin mapping, obstacle detection, and route planning in robotic cleaners.
Roborock’s Global IP Presence
While China remains this innovators’ home court, there are increased filings in Europe, Taiwan, and the U.S. Market data supports this expansion. According to IDC, among Chinese brands in the smart vacuum segment, Roborock led global shipments, delivering 982,000 units in Q1 2025, accounting for a 50.7% year-over-year increase and a 19.3% global market share.
More than half of these shipments went to China and Western Europe, further highlighting Europe as a core revenue and growth market. In parallel, Roborock has noticeably expanded its retail footprint in the U.S., reinforcing the commercial rationale for increased patent protection in Western jurisdictions.
Roborock: Top Law Firms
Roborock’s global patent and patent application activity between 2015 and 2025 is handled primarily by a small group of China-based intellectual property firms. Beijing Intellegal and Beijing Strong Wisdom are the most active representatives by volume, together accounting for the largest share of filings. They are followed by Beijing Ruizhichaocheng and Beijing Zhongda Dequan, indicating a strong reliance on domestic counsel for managing Roborock’s core patent prosecution work.
Beyond this core group, filing activity extends to a mix of additional Chinese and international firms. These include P.C. & Associates and Beijing Linkaw, as well as European and U.S.-based firms such as Beau de Loménie, Allens, and Morgan Lewis. The presence of these firms suggests targeted use of foreign counsel to support international patent filings in key overseas markets, while primary portfolio management remains concentrated with a limited number of domestic IP firms.
Thumbnail Image Source: Roborock
