Author: TheRoboWire Editorial

This article may contain affiliate links. TheRoboWire may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Roborock wins the Roomba vs Roborock battle in 2026. With iRobot’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy (filed December 2025, completed January 2026) raising long-term support questions, and Roborock delivering stronger suction, better mopping, and more advanced navigation across every price tier, the recommendation is clear — buy Roborock unless you specifically need Roomba’s pet-waste avoidance guarantee. TL;DR — Quick Verdict Best overall: Roborock wins on suction power, mopping, navigation, and value at every price point iRobot bankruptcy: Filed Chapter 11 in December 2025; acquired by…

This article may contain affiliate links. TheRoboWire may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. If you’re choosing between a cobot and a traditional industrial robot, here’s the short answer: cobots win for flexibility, low cost, and safe human collaboration — typically $25,000–$60,000 with 6–18 month payback. Traditional industrial robots win for raw speed, heavy payloads (up to 1,000 kg), and high-volume production lines where every cycle-time millisecond counts. TL;DR — Key Takeaways Cobots cost 50–70% less than a fully deployed industrial robot cell when you factor in safety fencing, integration, and floor space. Industrial robots handle payloads…

How to Choose a Robot Vacuum: The Ultimate Buying Guide for 2026 Choose a robot vacuum based on your home’s flooring, navigation needs, and budget. For most households, a LiDAR-equipped model with 4,000-6,000 Pa suction offers the best balance of performance and value. Pet owners should prioritize anti-tangle brushes and 5,000+ Pa suction. Expect to spend $250-$600 for a quality mid-range option, or $800+ for premium self-emptying models with AI obstacle avoidance. TL;DR — Key Takeaways Navigation matters more than raw suction: LiDAR mapping delivers precise, efficient cleaning; camera-based systems work well in bright rooms but struggle in darkness. Sweet…

Figure 02 Humanoid Robot: BMW Partnership & Commercial Deployment The Figure 02 is the first commercially deployed humanoid robot in automotive manufacturing, completing an 11-month pilot at BMW’s Spartanburg plant with 1,250+ operating hours and 90,000+ parts placed. Standing 168 cm tall with 16 degrees of freedom in its hands and 5-hour battery life, Figure 02 represents a leap from lab demos to real-world industrial deployment. At $130,000 (estimated), it’s not cheap—but it’s the only humanoid robot with proven automotive production credentials. TL;DR — Key Takeaways Proven deployment: 11 months at BMW Spartanburg, 1,250 hours runtime, contributed to 30,000+ BMW…

Figure 02 Humanoid Robot: BMW Partnership & Commercial Deployment The Figure 02 is the first commercially deployed humanoid robot in automotive manufacturing, completing an 11-month pilot at BMW’s Spartanburg plant with 1,250+ operating hours and 90,000+ parts placed. Standing 168 cm tall with 16 degrees of freedom in its hands and 5-hour battery life, Figure 02 represents a leap from lab demos to real-world industrial deployment. At $130,000 (estimated), it’s not cheap—but it’s the only humanoid robot with proven automotive production credentials. TL;DR — Key Takeaways Proven deployment: 11 months at BMW Spartanburg, 1,250 hours runtime, contributed to 30,000+ BMW…

China’s Robot Revolution: How Chinese Manufacturers Are Reshaping Global Robotics China now dominates the global robotics industry, installing over half of all industrial robots worldwide and producing nearly 90% of humanoid robots sold in 2025. With companies like Unitree, UBTECH, DJI, and XPeng leading innovation across humanoids, drones, and manufacturing automation, Chinese manufacturers have transformed from followers to market leaders in just five years. TL;DR: Key Takeaways China installed 276,288 industrial robots in 2024—51% of global installations and six times more than second-place Japan Chinese robot density surged from 97 robots per 10,000 workers (2017) to 470 (2024), nearly a…

Best FPV Drones for Beginners in 2026: Our Top Picks for Racing & Freestyle The DJI Avata 2 is the best FPV drone for most beginners in 2026, combining a 4K/60fps camera, 23-minute flight time, and beginner-friendly controls starting from $579 drone-only (Fly More Combo from $719 on sale). If you want pure manual FPV skills on a budget, the BetaFPV Cetus X kit at $260 teaches you real stick control with everything included. Below, we break down the five best beginner FPV drones by use case, with real specs, current prices, and honest pros and cons. TL;DR — Key…

Best Smart Locks 2026: Keyless Entry Systems Compared The Schlage Encode Plus ($300) is the best smart lock for most homes in 2026. It combines ANSI Grade 1 security — the highest residential rating available — with built-in Wi-Fi, Apple Home Key, and 100 user codes, all without requiring a separate hub. If you’re on a budget, the Yale Assure Lock 2 ($175–$260) delivers strong performance with broad smart home compatibility. For renters who can’t replace hardware, the August Wi-Fi ($230) retrofits your existing deadbolt in minutes. TL;DR — Key Takeaways Best overall: Schlage Encode Plus — ANSI Grade 1,…

Google Assistant leads in accuracy, Alexa+ wins smart home breadth, and Siri is still catching up — but Apple’s AI overhaul could change everything by late 2026. This article may contain affiliate links. TheRoboWire may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. TL;DR: Key Takeaways Google Assistant answers questions correctly 92% of the time — still the smartest voice assistant for factual queries and follow-up conversations. Alexa+ launched to all U.S. users in February 2026 with generative AI, agentic capabilities, and integrations with Uber, Ticketmaster, and OpenTable. Free for Prime members, $19.99/month otherwise. Siri’s long-delayed Apple Intelligence upgrade…

The best companion robots for elderly people in 2026 are ElliQ (best overall AI companion), PARO (best for dementia therapy), Joy for All Companion Pets (best budget option), Tombot Jennie (best realistic robotic pet), Hyodol (best for wellness monitoring), and Sony AIBO (best premium robotic pet). Prices range from $125 to $6,000, with each model targeting a specific care need. This article may contain affiliate links. TheRoboWire may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. TL;DR — Key Takeaways ElliQ is the best all-around AI companion for seniors living alone — proactive conversations, medication reminders, and video calling…