Dyson has long railed against imitators, urging rivals to build their own motors and ideas. That’s why its new Spot+Scrub AI robot vacuum and mop is raising eyebrows: at first glance, it looks and behaves a lot like the category’s mainstream machines. After a hands-on viewing in Berlin during the IFA bustle, the question isn’t whether Dyson can make a capable robot—it’s whether it can make a distinctive one.
What’s actually new this time
The Spot+Scrub AI is Dyson’s second swing at a floor-cleaning robot after the 360 Vis Nav, a design-forward bot that skipped a self-emptying base and occasionally stumbled on navigation. This follow-up leans into convention: a flush-mounted LiDAR array for mapping, a bigger footprint that reads as safer-and-slower rather than svelte-and-daring, and a sober, all-black chassis with most visual flair relegated to the underside.
The docking station is a three-tank affair: fresh water, wastewater, and a bagless dust container Dyson says can hold up to 100 days of debris. The dock also washes and dries the mopping roller, a welcome addition that reduces mildew risk and manual maintenance. These are now table-stakes across premium competitors from Roborock, Ecovacs, Dreame, and iRobot, and Dyson is finally playing on that same field.
Software is getting a needed rethink, too. A rebuilt MyDyson app adds 3D mapping, room-level customizations, and real-time cleaning visualization. If Dyson nails map stability and obstacle labeling, it will close a meaningful gap. Independent testers and consumer advocates consistently find that reliable mapping and easy controls matter as much as suction in day-to-day satisfaction.
The ‘spot and scrub’ AI promise
Dyson’s headline feature is its namesake: recognizing a stain, pausing to assess, and then scrubbing repeatedly until it’s actually gone. The company says the robot identifies around 200 household objects and cleans around them, prioritizing safety and precision. That’s the right thesis—most combo bots glide past dried spills—but execution will make or break it.
Competitors already blend object recognition with context-aware cleaning. iRobot’s PrecisionVision attempts to avoid cords and pet waste; Roborock and Ecovacs use AI cameras and structured light to classify shoes, socks, and cables. In independent evaluations, those systems reduce entanglements but can still misclassify clutter in dim light or on reflective floors. Dyson’s approach will need to demonstrate superior perception and pressure-based scrubbing to stand out, not just parity.
So why does it look like everything else?
From the understated black shell to the tall, boxy dock with water tanks and an auto-empty chamber, the Spot+Scrub AI could be mistaken for several premium rivals across a showroom floor. That’s not necessarily a flaw—it’s a sign of convergence. As Canalys and other market watchers have noted, the robot vacuum market has matured, and many brands now source similar modules for LiDAR, brush assemblies, and docking subsystems from the same handful of suppliers.
Industry chatter also points to deeper collaboration across the ecosystem. Teardown sleuths have speculated that Dyson partnered with a robotics specialist to speed development, a common path in this category, where time-to-market often hinges on proven navigation stacks and docking mechanics. iRobot, Roborock, and others have all leaned on alliances at various points to accelerate features like hot-wash mop cleaning or enhanced obstacle detection. The result: products that share a playbook, even if the logos differ.
The irony, of course, is brand-specific. Dyson’s earlier 360 series telegraphed individuality—bagless design cues, bold colors, and a nonconformist silhouette. This new robot opts for familiarity over flair. If you expected something unmistakably Dyson from ten feet away, you might feel whiplash.
What it must prove to beat category leaders
Performance will settle the debate. To justify a premium price, the Spot+Scrub AI needs measurable advantages in stain removal (dwell time, downward pressure, and pass count), hair pickup without brush jams, and navigation that consistently avoids no-go zones and low-profile obstacles. Review organizations like Consumer Reports and Which? routinely highlight long-term reliability and maintenance simplicity—filter access, roller cleaning, dock hygiene—as key differentiators.
Dyson’s engineering reputation gives it a shot. Its vacuum motors and airflow pathways typically deliver strong deep-clean scores, and a bagless base could save money and waste over time if the sealing and dust compression are effective. But the company will also need to show its app is stable over months, maps don’t drift, and firmware updates improve behavior rather than regress it—common pain points even for incumbents.
Pricing remains to be disclosed, and launch timing is staggered by region. For context, Dyson’s previous robot debuted at a premium well north of four figures. With rivals now bundling robust docks, hot-air drying, and high-pressure mopping at aggressive prices, Dyson can’t rely on brand alone.
Bottom line
The Spot+Scrub AI looks conventional because the high end of robot cleaning has standardized around the same winning formula: LiDAR navigation, an all-in-one dock, and object-aware mopping. If Dyson’s stain-focused AI and bagless base deliver real advantages—and the app finally feels first-rate—the familiar look won’t matter. If not, the company famous for decrying copycats may find itself accused of joining the crowd.