I just watched a robot vacuum actually climb stairs — it took 3 minutes but those steps were sparkling after

(Image credit: Erin Bashford)

Stair-climbing robot vacuums aren't necessarily a new thing. Last year at IFA 2025, I watched Dreame's Cyber X climb stairs (super quickly, may I add), but I was disappointed with the bulk of the product — and that it's been a whole year and you still can't buy the Cyber X.Now I'm at IFA 2026 in Berlin, and I've just seen Roborock's stair-climbing contraption — the Rover. While this isn't available yet, you can get the new Qrevo Edge 3 Pro — for $1,499 from Amazon.Unfortunately, Roborock's representative was unable to confirm a release date or more specs. It was initially unveiled at CES in January — eight months ago. In the meantime, though, let's see it in action.So what can the Roborock Rover actually do?

(Image credit: Erin Bashford)Unfortunately, as Roborock's representative was unable to confirm additional information, I know very little. What I do know, though, is that the Rover does climb stairs, and it can manoeuvre down slopes. I saw it with my own two eyes.As it has two retractable, wheel-based legs, the Rover can climb and clean at the same time. Yes, it took around three minutes to climb the stairs you see in the photos — and get back down again — but the stairs were sparkling after.Even though it took a while to climb the stairs, if you're simply working from home or out running errands, you won't notice how long it takes. That's the whole point of a robot vacuum — clean so you don't have to!But I have some major reservations