I bet most people who own a robot vacuum also own a regular vacuum cleaner. Why? Because not every time do you need to deploy a robot to clean a single spot, or maybe you just want to clean it your way. If you do, a startup called xLean has just the cleaning equipment for you. Folks, meet the xLean TR1 Dual Form Transformable Floor Washing Robot Vacuum.
First unveiled at IFA 2025, the xLean TR1 also made an appearance at CES last month. So yes, stair-climbing robovacs and robovacs with robotic arms were not the only head-turning robot vacuum tech at CES 2026.
The name is a mouthful, and for good reason. Billed as the world’s first dual-form transformable cleaning robot, the TR1 can switch between autonomous robot mode and handheld mode in one second. That’s right. It is both a robovac and a handheld stick vacuum. The robot can be pushed around like a regular stick vacuum—just click the included handle onto the LiDAR location. The auto-retracting LiDAR module tucks into the body automatically.
It can also be remotely controlled with a game-controller-style wireless remote, so you do not even need to walk if you do not want to.
What’s even more interesting is that in handheld (manual) mode, it learns how you clean. It continuously improves over time thanks to reinforcement learning algorithms and a foundational level of autonomous intelligence. In handheld mode, omnidirectional power assist delivers smooth, responsive movement driven by a direct-drive motor. It is said to feel light “as an apple,” intuitive, and easy enough for even kids to handle.
Beyond its dual-form design, it comes with a full-fledged docking and cleaning station called the OMNI Station. When the job is done, the TR1 docks to recharge, clean its rollers, and more. The OMNI Station features auto solid-liquid separation and automatic water management. It washes the dual rollers with up to 167°F (75°C) hot water and dries them with 149°F (65°C) hot air.
Yes, rollers—plural. It has two rollers for thorough floor washing. A green-laser dirt sensor enables real-time detection and analysis, differentiating between dust and large spills, and activating a so-called dirt-hunting mode.
Naturally, it is packed with AI. It features real-time precision AI adaptive cleaning and high-efficiency obstacle avoidance. The dual-motor DirectSuction system unleashes 17,000 Pa of suction power to ensure no dirt is left behind. It is suitable for various hard floors but does not clean carpets or rugs. Built-in carpet recognition allows it to avoid them.
Like Dyson and Xiaomi models, the TR1 also adopts a tangle-free design, featuring an anti-tangle comb and smart rotating rollers that remove hair before it can wrap around the brush.
Instead of the usual puck-style design, the xLean TR1 uses a more corner-friendly square form factor. This reduces blind spots and allows precise edge cleaning, while its relatively low profile helps it reach deep under furniture.
As a robovac, it features 360° LiDAR, an RGB-D camera, 44,640 3D sensing points, and an autonomous-driving AI chip. Active vision LiDAR recognition helps keep children and pets safe. An integrated sliding cover lets you manually close the camera for added privacy.
The xLean TR1 is more than just cleaning equipment. Using the companion app, you can check on your pets, schedule on-demand patrols, manually control their movements, and monitor roller wear in real time. A built-in intelligent voice assistant allows voice commands for spot cleaning.
The xLean TR1 Dual Form Transformable Robot Vacuum will launch on Kickstarter starting at US$849 (U.P. US$1,699). A US$50 deposit unlocks an additional US$150 discount for Super Early Bird pricing, though it is unclear whether the US$849 already reflects that discount.
Images: xLean.
