The new Roborock promises to solve the most annoying robot vacuum issue by removing objects – but is its advanced AI arm a gimmick?

Roborock Saros Z70 on rug in front of orange velvet sofa in warm-toned living room, holding a crumpled ball of paper using its mechanical arm.

After collectively spending 1,000+ hours testing robot vacuums at Homes & Gardens, one thing has become clear: robot vacuums need a clutter-free floor.

This often means spending more time than you usually would to make sure your robot helper isn't coming into contact with any socks, shoes, or cables. Even the best robot vacuums can't do everything.