From D-shaped bots to apps with a big 'Just clean it' button – these are the robot vacuum upgrades I want to see in 2026

Robotic vacuum cleaners and mops are the sort of gadget that seemed like pure science fiction just a generation ago. A self-driving robot dutifully scrubbing at your kitchen floor, then vacuuming the living room and returning to base to empty itself – even a time traveler already comfortable with the internet and email would struggle to get their head around it.

I've been testing robotic vacuums and mops for years now, and tried out my first one a full decade ago. In that time I've seen huge change – and massive price increases too, it must be said. And yet, despite the considerable intelligence and cleaning performance of today's best robot vacuums, there are still plenty of opportunities for improvement. Here's what I'd like to see in 2026…

1. A simpler app experience

I don't want my vacuum cleaner to have a more ...