Dyson is developing a robot vacuum that can climb stairs

The human world presents a set of unique challenges for robotic devices. The goal of creating household robots that could help with chores has existed for a long time. However, homes often have uneven surfaces that cause navigation problems for many robotic devices. 

This often happens even in single-story apartments, since small level differences between rooms are common. Many robotic devices are low-profile and designed to navigate only flat, solid surfaces. 

According to recent patents and an anonymous source speaking to Bloomberg, Dyson may be working on robots that could wash stairs and open drawers. 

Dyson's robotics division spent 16 years developing its autonomous vacuum cleaner. Now engineers are working on a robot that could interact with household appliances. 

In early September 2021, the company published patents showing a series of separate designs, including devices that can climb and clean stairs and have robotic arms capable of holding cups and opening drawers at the same time. It is still unclear whether work on the project is ongoing. 

A home appliance company often works on many projects that never reach final production. Among the latest patents are a toothbrush, an air purifier that can be used as headphones, and skin care devices. 

A Dyson representative said: "We file many patents. But we never comment on technologies that we may or may not launch in the future." 

Hardly anyone would seriously say they love cleaning their home. That is why the target audience for Dyson's stair-climbing robot vacuum is huge. Judging by the patent, the robot would not look intimidating or bulky. In the drawings it resembles one of the "old school" vacuum cleaners, with wheels instead of feet and extendable arms. 

The patent application states: "Track lifting mechanisms are installed on two sides of the main frame and the attached frame. A bottom plate is installed under the middle of the main frame, and a partition is hinged at the rear end of the bottom plate. When the robot climbs or descends stairs, the robot and the lifting device meet, and the partition lowers to the ground. The robot climbs over the bottom plate through the partition, then the partition rises and becomes vertical to lock the robot. After climbing or descending, the partition lowers to the ground, and the robot crawls over the partition onto the floor." 

It is impossible to talk about the future of robots without a dose of skepticism, but a vacuum that can climb stairs is needed by owners of houses or two-story apartments. The patent details the "exciting" nature of the vacuum arms. They are presumably intended primarily for "orientation control." 

Given that the robot must be able to pick up a mug, one would like to see it push back a dining chair or straighten a rug. Existing robot vacuums annoy many users, since they still need to be supervised to make sure they don't get stuck under furniture or in the hair of a child's favorite doll left on the floor. 

According to the patent, the device has a multi-jointed robotic arm controlled to perform at least one task. The robot moves on wheels, and the robotic arm performs any cleaning tasks. As a result, the robot can be fully autonomous, navigate human living spaces easily, and perform many household functions much faster and more reliably than existing cleaning robots. 

As an example, the company gives this scenario: "The robotic arm is connected to a cleaning system and can perform at least one task. At the same time, one arm can handle cleaning, while the second arm handles auxiliary functions, stabilizing the device during navigation."

With two robotic arms, the robot can confidently climb and descend stairs while cleaning them at the same time. In addition, Dyson may build into the device a so-called "cleaning level" scale, with which the robot will apply appropriate force. For example, during a deep clean the robot could be programmed for thorough cleaning that takes longer but delivers much better results. 

It sounds great: the robot vacuum could go down the steps into the living room, turn around, and then climb the stairs to do the rest of the cleaning. It seems Dyson aims to take over our homes entirely. Of course, it is not yet confirmed whether this project is in the planning stage or is an idea put off for later. In any case, everyone who wants to make household life easier can only wait for official information from the company.