The Wybot S3 could be the cleaning robot of your dreams

Swimming is one of my favorite things in the world. Cleaning the pool, however, is very difficult. For my money, pool cleaning robots are much better than regular robovacs. If you’ve got access to a pool, the upcoming Wybot S3 can make sure you’re no longer walking around like a doofus with an oversized fishing net.

Announced at CES, the Wybot S3 is an upgrade over the S2 in almost every way. The company says it’s “the first self-powered, autonomous pool cleaning robot.” It includes autonomous robots, which are similar to land-based robovacs but new to underwater models. This unit transfers waste from its body to a 10-liter tank above the ground station. This bin is large enough to last 30 days without being emptied by hand.

Another first? The robot charges itself through an integrated solar panel. Under sunlight, it absorbs about 1.5 hours of running time per day. If the weather is mild, the device can also be charged by connecting to a traditional power source.

As for the actual cleaning, the unit includes a whole set of sensors that help create a 3D map of “the entire underwater environment.” This helps to improve the cleaning process and minimizes the chance of blindness. The company says this is especially important for opaque pools. It also comes with a camera that removes a lot of debris, for better performance and accuracy.

The Wybot S3 can be monitored and controlled in real-time via a proprietary app, with connectivity that includes Wi-Fi and sonar. The underwater Robovac is available for preview right now, and shipments will go out in the second quarter of the year. However, all those waterproof technologies will cost you money. The robot will cost between $2,500 and $3,000, depending on options.

Pool cleaning robots have become ubiquitous recently. A company called Aiper back in 2023 with the Beatbot Aquasense Pro .