If there’s one thing I knew I’d find at CES 2025, it’s robots. Other tech trends come and go, but robots are a staple here at one of the world’s largest tech shows. Some are cute, some are creepy, others practical and some promise the world but never quite deliver. Regardless, I have a deep, abiding affection for them for injecting next-level excitement into the world of tech — and I know you do too.
Robots have always been physical, active pieces of tech, but developments in AI are raising the game for robots in terms of their intelligence, which both makes them smarter as well as easier for us to interact with. As we scour the show floor this week, we’re keeping an eye out for all the new robots — and some older ones such as Samsung’s Ballie, which made its debut back in 2020 and just this week got a release date.
I’ll keep updating this robot list as more droids make themselves known to us, but here are the most noteworthy so far.
Robots for chores and assistance
Dreame X50 Ultra
James Martin/CNET
The Dreame X50 Ultra robot vacuum can’t leap tall buildings in a single bound, but it can lift itself above a 2-inch ledge, which is a pretty big step for a robovac. The vacuum has two little legs that can prop it up to get over an obstacle. It’s not ready to climb stairs, but it isn’t daunted by an uneven surface. It’s expected to cost $1,699 when it launches in February.
Roborock Saros Z70
You’ll never have to trip over dirty laundry again.
The Roborock Saros Z70 vacuum robot is the household helper the messy among us have been waiting for. We all know how robot vacuums work by now, but this one can also scoot around picking up your dirty socks and putting them in the laundry bin for you, thanks to its mechanical arm. It unfortunately isn’t on sale yet — and will likely be more expensive than other robot vacs when it is — but can you really put a price on a bedroom floor consistently clear of discarded underwear?
R2D3
R2D3 is all arms.
R2D3 may not be as cute as everyone’s favorite Star Wars droid, but it’s on the way to being just as useful. This super helper from California-based company OpenDroids currently costs $40,000, and with its wheeled base, two mechanical arms and ability to rise up and down to reach different heights, there’s not much it can’t do. Admittedly, it won’t fly your X-Wing, but it will do your laundry, put your dishes away, make you a cocktail, scoop your ice cream or dispense your medication. Basically, if you need a manual task done, R2D3’s your guy.
Beatbot Amphibious RoboTurtle
RoboTurtle is sadly just a concept for now.
Beatbot is better know for making pool-cleaning robots, but the company brought a concept droid to CES that really caught our eye… because it looks like a turtle. The RoboTurtle can move from water to land just like a real turtle and is designed to access amphibious environments for detailed research. Thanks to its turtlelike fins, it can explore ecosystems with minimal impact on wildlife. As well as tracking species and monitoring biodiversity, it can be deployed quickly to prevent and respond to disasters. What a little champ.
Lymow One
You can mow, but can you mulch? The Lymow One robot mower can. Featuring satellite navigation, tracked treads to handle large and complex yards and dual mulching blades, this mower is the first of its kind. That doesn’t come cheap — it’s priced at a whopping $3,000. But for that, it can macerate fallen leaves, branches and other pesky debris and turn it into lawn fuel, and just imagine how helpful it will be when fall season rolls around.
For more coverage of CES 2025, check out the gadget that fully-recharges your phone in seconds, and see how this AI-powered planter can help you develop your green thumb.
