Robot vacuum cleaners are having a very strange year at CES 2025. We've seen robot vacuum cleaners that can… And . Now, another robot vacuum cleaner maker is showing robot vacuums that can move around using air purifiers, tablet stands, security cameras, countertops and other objects on top.
SwitchBot K20+ Pro is a robot vacuum cleaner that serves as a modular platform for other household devices. The company describes it as a “multi-tasking” home assistant that can perform multiple tasks, and possibly mop the floor as well.
The vacuum cleaner itself is in many ways similar to a typical robot vacuum cleaner, only a little larger. It also has a connector on the top that supports a wide range of attachments or even appliances. The company says it can support up to 8 kg (nearly 18 pounds) and will easily connect to other SwitchBot devices, such as an air purifier or home security camera. The SwitchBot vacuum cleaner can then be programmed to follow you or stay in one place.
At the SwitchBot booth, I saw vacuum cleaners with a tablet stand, an air purifier with an attached countertop, and a security camera. But the company's promotional materials also show a vacuum cleaner with a fan and a laundry basket on top. This also suggests that the K20+ Pro can deliver drinks and carry small bags around the house.
A SwitchBot representative at the booth said the company wants to allow people to 3D print their own parts for the K20+ Pro, so everyone can come up with their own use case for the small vacuum-enabled device. Video published by the company there's even a vacuum cleaner shown with an arm that can pick up trash and throw it into a trash can. (Yes, another robot vacuum cleaner .)
If this all sounds a little funny, that's because it is. While I can understand the appeal of a robot vacuum that doubles as a phone or tablet stand, I can't imagine many scenarios where I'd need a floor-level fan or an air purifier moving around my home.
I didn't get to see any of the SwitchBot vacuums actually moving around on its stand, so I have no idea how well the whole thing might work. It's also unclear how much the K20+ Pro will cost when it goes on sale later this year, although the company is already selling some of its attachments, e.g. combo.
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