Roborock is a global leader in smart home robotics and has revolutionized the cleaning industry in the past decade. The company was founded in Beijing, China, and has quickly become one of the world’s foremost manufacturers of intelligent vacuum cleaners.
In order to enhance users’ quality of life, Roborock has introduced a series of sophisticated and efficient cleaning devices in the past few years. Their latest models includes features such as high-precision LiDAR navigation, multi-level mapping and AI-powered obstacle avoidance.
In a bold move that illustrates their ethos of “Cleaning Beyond Limits”, Roborock has taken their innovation to new heights—literally. A few days ago, the company launched their S8 MaxV Ultra robot vacuum into Near Space and marked a groundbreaking achievement in the world of home appliances.
Roborock’s Stratospheric Feat
On September 17, 2024, Roborock made history by sending the S8 MaxV Ultra on a journey to the edge of space via a huge bespoke stratospheric balloon filled with hydrogen gas. This—unprecedented—mission was conducted in partnership with the English aerospace company Sent Into Space and saw the robot vacuum soar to an altitude of 120,000 feet, far beyond the reaches of conventional cleaning scenarios.
The mission lasted approximately two and a half hours and subjected the S8 MaxV Ultra to some of the most extreme conditions known to humanity: it faced temperatures plummeting below -76 °F and near-vacuum conditions that would typically incapacitate inferior electronics.
Yet, the S8 MaxV Ultra not only survived this harsh environment but also demonstrated its functionality by activating features such as the DuoRoller brush system, side brushes and even responding to voice commands at the edge of space.
This extraordinary feat was not without its challenges: in collaboration with Sent Into Space, the Roborock team spent weeks meticulously planning and preparing for the launch. Engineers worked tirelessly to design and manufacture a custom spacecraft capable of carrying the vacuum safely to its stratospheric destination.
Beyond the Stratosphere: Impact and Implications
Roborock’s space mission is more than just a publicity stunt: it’s a powerful demonstration of the company’s commitment to innovation and product quality. By subjecting the S8 MaxV Ultra to the extreme conditions of near-space, Roborock proved that their vacuums are built to withstand far more than the typical household challenges they face daily.
The success of this mission has implications for the consumer electronics industry: it showcases the potential for everyday technology to be adapted for extreme environments and opens up new possibilities for product testing and development. It also sets a new benchmark for durability and reliability in home appliances and will challenge, for sure, other manufacturers to elevate their standards. Once again, Roborock reaffirms its position as an industry pioneer with this space launch— being the first company to send a robot vacuum into space.
Hello, Rocky!
The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra is certainly one of the most powerful and high-performing robot vacuums in the world and sets new benchmarks in smart cleaning technology. This device features a robust 10,000Pa suction power so that it can tackle dirt and debris across various surfaces—from plush carpets to hard floors. Its dual-roller design minimizes hair tangles and hidden scrapers ensure uninterrupted cleaning by removing hair efficiently.
Equipped with an All-in-One Dock, the S8 MaxV Ultra also offers the perfect automated cleaning experience. While cleaning stations are often overlooked in robotic vacuum systems, this docking station not only empties the dustbin but also washes and dries the mop using hot water. The dock’s Intelligent Dirt Detection feature ensures that mops are re-washed as needed and it refills water and dispenses detergent automatically.
The S8 MaxV Ultra also excels in navigation and obstacle avoidance with its Reactive AI 2.0 technology and PreciSense LiDAR Navigation. This advanced system recognizes various objects and floor types and creates detailed maps for optimized cleaning routes while avoiding interruptions. Pet owners will also appreciate features like Video Call & Cruise that enables them to monitor their pets during cleaning sessions.
Oh and wait! Roborock has introduced its own innovative voice assistant, Rocky to enhance user interaction with their robot vacuum. By simply saying “Hello, Rocky,” users can issue a wide range of voice commands like directing the vacuum to clean specific rooms to skipping areas or canceling cleaning tasks.