Ecovacs wants to make self-clean window-bots happen, but I don't think they're going to happen

Most of today's best robot vacuums have docks that will automatically empty the dustbins, clean the mop pads and sometimes more. Now, it looks like that same idea is starting to make its way into robotic window cleaners.

I've just been introduced to the new version of Ecovacs' windowbot – the WinBot W3 Omni – at CES 2026, and it comes with its own clean station. It's called the Vortex Wash OMNI Station, and Ecovacs says it's the first of its kind.

Once your automated window-cleaning is complete, you remove the plate with the mop pads on it (without needing to touch the dirty pads yourself) and slide it into a dock.

Inside, spinning brushes and squeegees scrub it clean over the course of a 1-minute cycle. Then it's ready to be reattached.

While it's a nifty trick, it doesn't make as much sense here as it does on a robot vacuum.

Firstly, mop pads on window-bots don't get nearly as dirty as those on robovacs, because they're using barely any water. This is a big dock for something that could easily be taken care of by occasionally throwing the pad in the washing machine.

Second, it's barely less effort – you need to remove the pad to slot it into the cleaner. And it's not like the self-clean helps the windowbot operate autonomously (as is the case with robot vacuum docks) – you'll still need to hang around to supervise it as it cleans, and to lift it to move it to each new pane for another.

Charging ahead

While I probably wouldn't buy that big, bulky dock purely for its automatic cleaning features, it has another trick that helps strengthen the proposition.

The dock doubles as a charger and power source for the windowbot. Typically, robot window cleaners need to be plugged in to work – they need to be light to stay suctioned to the glass, so they don't want to be hauling a heavy battery along with them.

Here, the cordless dock acts as a separate battery pack, with a cable running from that to the window cleaner. You then recharge the dock as required.

If you have a window that's in an awkward spot, away from a power outlet, normally you wouldn't be able to clean it using your robot window cleaner. Except now, you'd be able to bring this base over to your out-of-the-way window.

I'm still not sure it's the most elegant solution but it is an interesting progression in a category that I think is going to become more popular.

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