The modern home is undergoing a quiet technological revolution: robot vacuum cleaners, smart assistants and integrated smart home systems are gradually becoming a familiar reality. They have transformed from science fiction devices into everyday tools that promise to save time and effort. But how “smart” are they really? In this article, we’ll look at what household robots really can do today, what technologies are behind it, how fast the market is growing, what to expect in the next 5-10 years, and who will make money from it.
What can home robots do today?
Household robots are based on tasks related to human convenience. First of all, it’s cleaning the room: robot vacuum cleaners and cleaning robots easily take over the cleaning of floors and carpets. The market is dominated by devices such as the iRobot Roomba (USA) and its “native” rag Braava, the Chinese Ecovacs Deebot, as well as the model ranges of Xiaomi/Roborock, LG, Samsung, etc. They are equipped with LiDAR or optical sensors and cameras for mapping the room, automatically plot a route and collect dust, crumbs and spilled liquid. According to experts, vacuum cleaners are the most widespread household robots, they have become the “face” of home automation, and to this day, they are mainly limited to cleaning tasks. Summer garden maintenance is facilitated by robotic lawn mowers (Husqvarna Automower, Gardena, Worx Landroid, etc.), and robots (Maytronics Dolphin and analogues) are used to clean pools. There are even window-washing robots (for example, Ecovacs Winbot).
Google Assistant, “Yandex.Alice”, etc.) control lighting, thermostats, household appliances and are integrated with robots. Alice or Alexa herself is not a robot, but they actually control “home robots” through the ecosystem: for example, you can say “Start cleaning” with your voice, and the vacuum cleaner will start working. There are also the first examples of home assistant robots with a screen and a mobile platform: Amazon Astro (still available by invitation) and similar Temi solutions from the USA, HelloRobot Stretch (prototypes for the kitchen) or “pet robots” (Sony Aibo, SoftBank Lovot, etc.) — they are more for leisure and communication with the elderly people. However, so far the practical capabilities of such assistants are limited. As the scientists note, “home robots today are limited to vacuum cleaners and lawn mowers —they are still far away from Rosa (the robot helper from the cartoon).”
Technologies driving the industry
At the head of modern “smart” robots there is a combination of AI, sensors and robotic structures. SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) systems based on LiDAR or cameras allow robots to build a virtual map of the house and plan a route. Computer vision and neural networks recognize objects and obstacles (cables, thresholds, toys) and accurately orient the device. Multiple sensors (ultrasound, IR, bumpers) help with safety and driving accuracy. At the same time, advances in AI and cognitive technologies make it possible to “teach” robots to make decisions in a complex environment. The convergence of AI with the Internet of Things (AIoT) is turning these devices into semi-passive “agents” that communicate with people and other gadgets.
Thanks to the development of mobile processors and cloud computing, robots are getting more and more “smart” software. They connect via WiFi to a smartphone or “cloud”: through applications, you can control robots, update their “brains” and upload accumulated data (indoor maps, photos). Thanks to 5G technologies and IoT platforms, robots synchronize with security systems and smart homes – for example, they set the turbo mode of the air conditioner when they see from the sensors that the owners have returned.
Technological breakthroughs in other fields are also supporting robots. More capacious and lightweight batteries extend battery life, while energy-efficient motors and materials reduce the weight and price of devices. Electronics and sensors play an important role: ultrasonic “echolocation”, lasers, depth sensors, and even strain gauges (to sense collisions) make the robot as adapted to the home as possible. In short, the brighter the trends in AI, machine vision, and robotics become, the more capable home robots become.
Rapid market growth: launches, players, and investments
The consumer robotics market is growing at an explosive pace. According to analysts, in 2024-2025, its volume already amounts to about $ 10-11 billion, and by the end of the decade, it may more than double. For example, Mordor Intelligence estimates the market size at ~$10.16 billion in 2024 and at $24.05 billion by 2029 (CAGR ≈18.8%). Data Bridge makes a similar forecast: $10.3 billion in 2023 and $24.5 billion by 2031 (CAGR 18.8%). Hence, it is clear that these figures are growing by an average of 18-20% per year — for comparison, this is ten times higher than for traditional household appliances. In the long term, the global market for “personal robots” is capable of taking off even steeply — some analysts predict $63.8 billion by 2030 and more than a hundred billion by 2034.
Such rates are not accidental. The key driver is the growing popularity of the smart home and automation of routine operations. Housewives are increasingly free from cleaning thanks to robot vacuum cleaners and lawn mowers. In China, for example, in 2024, over 6 million robot vacuum cleaners and more than 6.6 million robot floor cleaners were sold, which is ~31% more than a year earlier. Global brands are investing in updating product lines and expanding segments: Ecovacs (together with the Tineco household brand) raised ~$1.1 billion each in 2024 and is actively preparing cheaper and more expensive models to capture even more of the market.
Strategic launches and investments also show the seriousness of the situation. So, in 2022-2024, Amazon announced the purchase of iRobot (manufacturer of Roomba), but EU and US regulators blocked this $1.4 billion project, which just underlines the interest of major players. Amazon is not abandoning robotics: in June 2024 it scaled back the Astro for Business robotic security guard program to fully switch to home robots and Alexa systems. This signals that even the Internet giants are going all-in on home automation. Similarly, Samsung and LG are investing in R&D: Samsung has already released Jet Bot AI+ with LiDAR navigation, and LG is demonstrating prototypes of AI-powered home robots (CLOi service robot and future “home agents”), promising to introduce them in the coming years.
Other industry milestones: In May 2022, Dyson, a British company, unveiled a prototype “house robot” for performing various household tasks and announced the creation of the largest robotics research center in the UK. As a result, we see a global competition: dozens of startups and corporations are investing billions in service robotics, and the smart home industry is penetrating all segments (automation, AI, and sensors).
When can we expect mass distribution? (Scenarios for 5-10 years)
According to forecasts, the first massive “stage” of market capture is already underway. Today, millions of families in many countries have robotic vacuum cleaners and lawn mowers. The next step is robotic kitchen gadgets and auxiliary systems, as well as more sophisticated assistants. The 2023 study showed that by 2033, about 39% of the time that people spend on household chores (cleaning, washing, grocery shopping) can be transferred to robots. Automation of tasks such as tidying up and shopping is expected especially quickly: it is estimated that robots can take over up to 60% of the time for trips to the store and other routine activities.
However, there are no generally useful “androids” yet. Experts point out that caring for children or the elderly people — complex social tasks — is unlikely to be fully automated in the next decade. Most likely, in the next 5-10 years we will see the following scenarios:
- Expansion of the range and availability of harvesting equipment. Vacuum cleaner robots and rags will become even cheaper and smarter (better mapping, object recognition). New models will appear: for example, there are already window cleaning robots, and soon more advanced plumbing cleaning systems or even robot gardeners who remove leaves will be released.
- Increasing integration into smart home ecosystems. The devices will increasingly “communicate” with each other: the robot vacuum cleaner will negotiate with the pollution sensor and start cleaning itself; the smart speaker will issue voice instructions to the robot to move things around the rooms; the robot planner will synchronize all work according to the family schedule.
- The emergence of semi-personal assistant robots. Perhaps robots with a basic set of skills will appear on the market: for example, small platforms with a display and navigation that can carry things, remind you of a schedule or contact the owner. Several startups are already accepting orders today, although prototypes are still very expensive (~$2000+). In the coming years, their capabilities will grow as AI and voice/gesture sensing evolve.
- Limited mass adoption. The mass availability of a truly universal home robot is likely to go beyond 2030. There are too many unresolved issues: adaptive motor skills, understanding the home context, and interaction safety. However, by the early 2030s, several “specialized” robots may appear in every average home: vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers, and kitchen assistants. And the role of a “hermetically sealed all-consuming machine” still remains a dream of the future.
Thus, we are on the verge of a rapid expansion of consumer robotics. However, based on the experience of the development of AI specialties and autonomous cars, it is worthwhile to remain realistic: robots will still remain tools, and not full-fledged “domestic servants”. At the same time, even the simplest household machines have returned tens of millions of hours a week to people.
Who will earn money from this
The home robotics market is creating new winners at all levels of the ecosystem. Hardware manufacturers — companies that make devices — are already making a profit now. The list of key players includes iRobot (USA, Roomba), Ecovacs (China), Xiaomi (China), Samsung (Korea), Dyson (UK/Singapore), LG (Korea), Husqvarna (Sweden) and many others. These brands sell equipment and expand their product lines, which is why increased demand and a high market CAGR bring them revenue and profit.
The component of platforms and services is equally important. The ecosystems of major IT giants benefit here: Amazon and Google benefit from the sale of their “voice assistants” and smart speakers (Alexa, Home) and the growth of a partner network of devices. Apple and Huawei are developing their own platforms (HomeKit, HiLink) to be the “core” of the smart home. Russian players are also involved: Yandex is developing Alice and smart speakers by integrating them with household appliances, while Rostelecom and MTS offer smart home packages with automated services.
There are also new companies: startups and innovators. Intuition Robotics (Israel/USA) with a companion robot for the elderly ElliQ, SoftBank Robotics with a social robot Pepper, UBTECH (China) with various platforms, etc. They invest in R&D and partially monetize technology through commercial pilots in nursing homes, hotels and offices. As demand increases, some of the innovations will transfer to mass-produced products. Finally, system integrators and service companies will also work. Installing a smart home and integrating robots requires specialists: security installers, IoT integrators, and service centers. This also includes construction companies and developers: they lay the “wiring” of smart wiring and places for robots in new homes. Any business related to the maintenance and support of these technologies is now “in the black.”
As a result, everyone is making money on this wave — from corporations dictating smart home standards to novice developers of specific robots. The more tasks in the house are automated, the wider the field for monetization.
Vision of the future
Personally, I am convinced that we are just at the beginning of changes that will turn the everyday routine around. Imagine a house where cleaning, cooking, and even basic garden maintenance are on autopilot. It will free up a lot of time for creativity, communication, and self-development. Everyday life will stop “eating up” the bright hours of life. And although there is no perfect robot friend yet, we can already see how the technology is being “honed” from year to year.
In this picture, the future belongs to companies that combine expertise in smart interfaces and robots. For example, at VRT we see a synergy of AI and XR technologies with robotics. Technological solutions can be used to create digital housing doubles: virtual prototypes can be used to “train” robots and simulate their behavior before real launch. With XR, we will be able to teach the user by highlighting “instructions” with their eyes and gestures right in the room. Such tools simplify human-machine interaction and accelerate the implementation of robotic systems.
We believe that soon housing will be filled not only with “smart” light bulbs and speakers, but also with intelligent assistants with wheels and hands. Companies like VRT will become a bridge between these worlds: by bringing innovations from the world of immersive technologies to smart home ecosystems, we help customers integrate and adapt robots to real needs. This is the role of technology companies in the coming era of home automation — to create solutions where digital and physical are closely intertwined, and people get maximum freedom from routine.
By Konstantin Negachev, CEO and Co-founder of VRT