Roborock is making its biggest product pivot since launching, debuting three AI-powered robot lawnmowers at IFA 2025 that signal its expansion beyond vacuums into outdoor automation. The flagship RockMow Z1 tackles 80% slopes with all-wheel drive, while the company positions itself to challenge established players like Segway in the growing autonomous lawn care market.
Roborock just made its boldest move since entering the robotic vacuum wars. The Chinese automation company unveiled three robot lawnmowers at IFA 2025, marking a dramatic expansion beyond its core vacuum business into the rapidly growing outdoor robotics market. The flagship RockMow Z1 isn't just another lawn robot – it's engineered to tackle slopes that would challenge mountain goats, handling gradients up to 80 percent with an all-wheel drive system that puts most SUVs to shame. The Z1's independent hub motors on each wheel work alongside dedicated steering motors on the front wheels, creating what Roborock calls a "slip-resistant" system that maintains traction on extreme terrain. Add in a suspension system designed for stability and precision cutting to within 3cm of walls, and you've got a machine that sounds more like a miniature off-road vehicle than a lawn maintenance tool. The technical specs reveal serious ambition: the Z1 processes 5,000 square meters per day using a combination of satellite-based Real-Time Kinematics (RTK) navigation and visual simultaneous localization and mapping (vSLAM). This puts it in direct competition with Segway's Navimow X3, which uses similar dual-navigation technology but lacks the extreme slope capabilities. The move represents a calculated expansion into what industry analysts estimate is a $1.5 billion global robotic lawnmower market growing at 12% annually. Roborock built its reputation on premium robotic vacuums that combine AI mapping with powerful suction, and the company is clearly applying that same formula to outdoor spaces. The timing couldn't be better, as homeowners increasingly seek automated solutions for yard maintenance, driven by labor shortages in landscaping and rising interest in smart home ecosystems. Beyond the flagship Z1, Roborock is launching the RockMow S1 with AI-powered smart mapping capable of handling 45% slopes while fitting through passages as narrow as 0.7 meters. The S1 covers 1,000 square meters daily – five times slower than the Z1 but still competitive for average yard sizes. The entry-level RockNeo Q1 targets everyday maintenance with AI mapping and a "wildlife-friendly" feature that prevents nighttime operation to avoid disturbing nocturnal animals. This feature hints at awareness of environmental concerns that have plagued some robotic lawnmower adoptions. The company's app integration allows users to create custom cutting patterns or even spell out text in grass – a novelty feature that showcases the precision of the navigation systems but also highlights how robotic lawnmowers are becoming lifestyle products rather than purely functional tools. Industry watchers note that entry intensifies competition in a market dominated by European brands like Husqvarna and Worx, plus newer entrants like Segway and Mammotion. The Chinese company's track record in robotic vacuums – where it carved out significant market share against iRobot's Roomba dominance – suggests it understands how to challenge established players through aggressive pricing and feature innovation. What's missing from the IFA announcement is pricing and availability, suggesting is still calibrating its market entry strategy. The company's vacuum business typically undercuts premium competitors while matching or exceeding features – a playbook it will likely replicate in lawnmowers.
