iRobot Unveils Carpet-Sealing Robot Vacuums at Berlin Tech Show Under New Ownership

BERLIN — iRobot has announced two new flagship hybrid robot vacuums featuring a sealing mechanism designed to improve suction on carpets, marking the company’s first major product unveilings under new ownership.

The flagship Roomba Max 875 Combo, priced at $1,199, and the mid-range Roomba Plus 678 Combo, priced at $899, are being showcased at the IFA technology trade show in Berlin. Both models are currently available for purchase online through the manufacturer’s website.

The central feature of both devices is a technology called SealForce. The system automatically lowers a skirt around the vacuuming head upon detecting carpeted surfaces, forming a tighter seal against the floor. According to iRobot chief engineer Adam Pope, this mechanism allows airflow to be directed deeper into carpet fibers, enabling performance “to a level beyond what’s previously been possible.”

To support the new sealing mechanism, the Max 875 replaces iRobot’s traditional dual-roller system with a single rubber brush. The device utilizes a new blower motor capable of moving 20 liters of air per second and generates 35,000 pascals of suction power, the highest figure the manufacturer has published to date. The company claims the combination delivers three times deeper carpet cleaning compared to operation without the sealing system.

In addition to vacuuming, the Max 875 incorporates a self-cleaning roller mop with increased downward pressure, an anti-tangle brush design, and a heated mist function called ThermaMist to pretreat stains. A retractable shield covers the mop during vacuuming to protect carpets. The unit includes a charging base that automatically washes the mop with hot water and dries it using hot air. For navigation, it relies on lidar sensors and camera-based vision systems, allowing it to negotiate floor thresholds up to 3.5 centimeters high.

The lower-cost Plus 678 Combo retains the SealForce design and roller mop, but offers reduced performance metrics, delivering 30,000 pascals of suction and 18 liters per second of airflow. It omits the heated mist feature and retractable mop cover, using instead a spray mechanism that applies cleaning liquid to stains for later wiping, along with a mop that lifts 10 millimeters over carpeted areas.

Both models support voice controls via Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple’s Siri Shortcuts. According to Pope, the company is currently seeking Matter certification for the devices.

Background

The product announcements mark iRobot’s return to major international technology trade shows following significant corporate restructuring. In January, the former U.S. robotics pioneer was acquired out of bankruptcy by contract manufacturer Picea Robotics.

The introduction of skirted sealing mechanisms reflects a broader industry trend among automated vacuum manufacturers seeking to enhance deep-cleaning performance on soft surfaces. Competitors such as Narwal and Dreame have recently introduced similar sealing technologies on their flagship models.