The Global cleaning robot market is estimated to be valued at USD 16.1 Bn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 48.4 Bn by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.4% from 2024 to 2031. The rapid rate of growth indicates rising demand for autonomous cleaning devices for both commercial and residential use.

The market trend towards more advanced robot vacuums and mops that can navigate homes and offices independently is expected to continue driving revenues over the forecast period. Standard robot cleaners with basic vacuuming and mopping are giving way to smarter models with improved mapping technologies, remote control apps, enhanced suction power and mopping functions. Voice command capabilities and options for scheduling cleans are some features end users now expect in high-end robotic cleaning devices.

Market Driver - Increasing Awareness of Hygiene, Especially Post-Pandemic, is Driving the Demand for Cleaning Robots

The global pandemic has made consumers much more conscious about cleanliness and hygiene in both commercial as well as household spaces. Deep cleaning of surfaces on regular basis has become a necessity to curb the spread of viruses and other pathogens. However, performing thorough cleaning manually takes a significant amount of time and effort. Cleaning robots address this problem beautifully by automating the tedious process of cleaning floors, mopping, vacuuming and disinfecting on a scheduled basis without much human intervention. They can cover large areas thoroughly within a short time span, removing dirt, allergens, bacteria and viruses more effectively than manual cleaning. This assurance of hygienic spaces through consistent cleaning routines has become highly valued in the current environment. Cleaning robots are also found to be more practical than traditional cleaning methods as they eliminate the human error factor and ensure areas are cleaned precisely as programmed without any missed spots. Their uses are expanding beyond homes to hotels, hospitals and other commercial facilities where quality cleaning standards are of utmost importance. As hygienic indoor and public spaces assume greater importance than ever in a post pandemic world, the demand for reliable, easy to use cleaning robots is expected to grow substantially.

Market Driver - Rising Disposable Incomes and Busier Lifestyles are Pushing Consumers Towards Automated Cleaning Solutions

Modern lifestyles have become extremely fast paced and demanding. People have little time left for mundane chores like vacuuming, mopping, sweeping, washing and other cleaning activities. At the same, rising incomes have given consumers the bandwidth to invest in smart home devices that can make their lives more convenient by automating routine tasks. Cleaning robots fit right into this paradigm. They allow consumers to start cleaning cycles with just a tap on their smart devices and come back to cleaner spaces without any manual labor. This has become highly appealing given that most people today have extremely packed schedules leaving minimal time for domestic work. Cleaning robots quietly get the work done efficiently while families are away at work or engaged I other activities. Their advantages are even more emphasized in multi-storied homes and households with working couples or parents. By supplementing or entirely replacing manual cleaning routines with automated robot solutions, busy homeowners can reclaim several hours every week previously spent on cleaning for more valuable activities of their choice. The effortless 'set and forget' operation of modern cleaning robots is hence solving a real problem for time strapped consumers globally, driving up their sales numbers. With standards of living and disposable incomes continuing to rise across world regions, the demand for such labor saving appliances will keep accelerating.

Market Challenge - Security Concerns Around IoT-Connected Devices, Including Risks of Data Privacy Violations

One of the major challenges faced by the cleaning robot market is security concerns around IoT-connected devices, including risks of data privacy violations. As cleaning robots are integrated with internet connectivity to enable remote monitoring and control, it opens up possibilities of hacking and privacy breaches. Cleaning robots collect a variety of usage and location data as they operate inside homes and offices. If this usage data falls in the wrong hands, it can potentially be misused. There are also possibilities of ransomwares disabling or taking control of connected cleaning robots. This poses security risks. To address such security concerns, cleaning robot manufacturers will need to focus on implementing strong authentication protocols, encrypting the data collected, restricting physical access and conducting regular security audits. However, achieving robust security without diminishing user experience remains a challenge. Overall, unaddressed security vulnerabilities can undermine user trust in IoT-enabled cleaning robots and hamper growth. Manufacturers must work closely with cyber security experts to build confidence around data privacy and ensure safe usage of connected cleaning robots.

Market Opportunity- Industrial Automation Drives Further Growth Opportunities

The industrial sector's increased automation of cleaning processes offers a significant growth opportunity for the cleaning robot market. Industrial facilities such as manufacturing plants, warehouses and food processing units carry out extensive cleaning operations to ensure hygiene. Currently, most of the cleaning in industrial premises is done manually which is labor intensive, time-consuming and exposes workers to health hazards. Automated cleaning robots can render these operations more productive, hassle-free and safe. Robots can effortlessly clean large areas without breaks, efficiently handling tasks such as floor cleaning, scrubbing, disinfecting, parts cleaning and more. This improves productivity. They also ensure consistency in cleaning quality every time. With industries keen to maximize efficiency through technological upgrades, there exists ample scope for cleaning robot providers to automate varied cleaning needs of industrial facilities. This offers a promising avenue for cleaning robot makers to target and expand their market.

Product Innovation - Introducing innovative product features has helped players gain an edge. For instance, iRobot launched Roomba s9+ and s9 in 2019 with intelligent navigation and home mapping capability. This allows the robots to learn the layout of homes and offer customized cleaning. The new features were well received and boosted iRobot's sales.

Partnerships - Partnerships with other brands have augmented product offerings. In 2018, iRobot partnered with Braava to launch a floor mopping robot. This allowed iRobot to enter the floor cleaning segment and attract new customers. Similarly, Xiaomi partnered with Yeedi in 2020 to launch a vacuuming and mopping robot. Such partnerships help players address larger parts of the cleaning market.

Marketing & PR strategies - Aggressive marketing campaigns have aided revenue growth. For example, Ecovacs launched a "Clean Homes for All" program in 2021 where it promoted its affordable DEEBOT range through social media influencers. This led to a 35% increase in sales for Ecovacs. iRobot spends over 17% of its revenue on sales, marketing and product support. Such investments in branding have made Roomba a household name.

After-sales support - Strong after-sales services improve customer satisfaction and loyalty. Neato offers a no-questions-asked 30-day return policy and uses customer data to address issues proactively. Its Net Promoter Score of 60 shows customers appreciate the support. Similarly, Roborock provides attentive support through chatbots, calls and online help portals in multiple languages globally.

The above strategies of innovation, strategic partnerships, PR initiatives and after-sales support have helped key players like iRobot, Ecovacs and Roborock strengthen their market position and dominance over the years. 

Insights, By Type, Convenience and Efficiency Drive Floor Cleaning Robot Adoption

By Type, Floor-cleaning is expected to contribute 43.1% in 2024 owing to the immense convenience and efficiency offered by these robots. Floor cleaning is one of the most tiresome and mundane household chores. Floor cleaning robots enable users to spend their valuable time on more important tasks while the robot tidies up the floors automatically on a preset schedule or with a single click. Their advanced navigation systems and vacuuming capabilities ensure floors are deep cleaned thoroughly without any manual intervention. This saves users significant time and effort compared to traditional vacuuming methods. Floor cleaning robots particularly appeal to busy homeowners and small families who want sparkling clean floors with minimum hassle. Their 'set and forget' functionality attracts many time-strapped users.

Insights, By Product, Home Entertainment Drives in-House Cleaning Robots

By Product, in-house is expected to contribute 62.4% market share as cleaning robots are increasingly being used for home entertainment. In-house robots can be controlled via smartphones to clean specific areas as needed or set to roam freely interacting with pets and children. Many models feature camera eyes and facial recognition abilities turning them into quirky companions for family fun and games. Their ability to map out homes and obstacle detection skills allows them to safely manoeuver amidst furniture and toys. Some designs prioritise aesthetic appeal with toy-like looks that appeal to children. This has enabled in-house robots to evolve beyond just cleaning utilities into multi-purpose home entertainment devices, driving their popularity.

Insights, By Charging Type, Effortless Operation Boosts Automatic Charging

By Charging Type, Automatic contributes the highest share as it alleviates the hassle associated with manual charging. Unlike manual models requiring physical docking, automatic cleaning robots seamlessly charge on their own once battery levels go low. When power runs out during a cycle, they return to the charging dock and resume cleaning once fully charged. This effortless operation is a big attraction for users. Automatic robots are also more convenient as they can complete multiple cleaning sessions unattended before next charge is needed. Their ‘set and forget’ nature minimizes user involvement in the cleaning process. This drives preference over manual models needing physical handling for each recharge session.

The cleaning robot market is rapidly expanding, driven by the increasing awareness around cleanliness and hygiene in both residential and industrial settings. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the demand for contactless and automated cleaning solutions, contributing to market growth. Asia Pacific leads the global market due to the availability of affordable robot models and rapid adoption rates, while North America benefits from technological advancements and major industry players such as iRobot. However, concerns over data security, particularly regarding IoT-connected cleaning robots, remain a challenge. Innovations in AI and machine learning are expected to reduce costs and improve efficiency, making robots more accessible to lower-income households and small businesses. The industrial sector presents a significant opportunity for market expansion, as robotic solutions are being integrated to address labor shortages and improve cleaning efficiency in large commercial spaces.

The major players operating in the Cleaning Robot Market include iRobot Corporation, Ecovacs Robotics Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Dyson Inc. and LG Electronics.

• In April 2024, LionsBot, a Singapore-based company, opened a new factory for manufacturing autonomous smart floor-cleaning robots in Southeast Asia. This facility is the largest of its kind in the region and is dedicated to the development of cleaning robotics technology.
• In February 2024, FamilyMart Co., a Japanese convenience store chain, deployed autonomous cleaning robots in 300 of its stores to address labor shortages. The robots were developed in partnership with Iwith Robotics Co.

• By Type
  • Floor-cleaning
  • Pool-cleaning
  • Window-cleaning
  • Lawn-cleaning
• By Product
  • In-house
  • Outdoor
• By Charging Type
  • Automatic
  • Manual
• By Operation Mode
  • Self-drive
  • Remote Control