The wave of DeepSeek, a cutting-edge AI large model, is sweeping through the household robotics industry, marking a new era for intelligent robots designed to ease domestic burdens. Companies like Stone Technology (688169.SH) and Dreame Technology have recently announced integrating DeepSeek into their floor cleaning robots, aligning with the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) definition of household robots as autonomous cleaning devices. This move not only signals a technological leap but also raises questions: Can these intelligent robots truly become the “lazy person’s gospel”?
Corporate Moves: DeepSeek as the Catalyst for Product Evolution
Dreame Technology took the lead by equipping its S50 series floor cleaning robots with the DeepSeek-R1 model, making them among the first intelligent cleaning products to harness this technology. The integration allows users to customize cleaning settings via the Dreame-home App, such as avoiding carpets or scheduling area-specific cleans. DreameGPT, now fused with DeepSeek-R1’s AI capabilities, delivers tailored cleaning plans and interactive conversations, enhancing the smart home experience .
Stone Technology followed suit, announcing that its RRmind GPT within the Stone App has fully integrated DeepSeek-R1’s reasoning model. The G30Space Explorer floor cleaning robot, for instance, not only performs deep cleaning but also interacts with users conversationally, blurring the line between a utility device and a smart companion .
Industry experts highlight the strategic advantage of such integrations. Liang Zhenpeng, a home appliance analyst, notes that DeepSeek elevates product intelligence, enabling natural user-robot dialogue while reducing enterprises’ AI R&D costs. “Adopting large models saves time and resources compared to building in-house solutions,” he emphasizes, underscoring how companies like Dreame and Stone leverage DeepSeek to achieve “big success with small costs” .
Technological Breakthroughs: Embodied Intelligence and Beyond
The surge in intelligent robot adoption is driven by advancements in embodied intelligence, a field enabling robots to interact with physical environments. CINNO predicts global humanoid robot shipments will exceed 10,000 units in 2025 and reach 5 million by 2030, with market demand soaring to approximately 750 billion yuan. This growth hinges on technologies like bionic manipulators, as seen in Stone’s G30Space, which features a 5-axis folding arm to move obstacles and manage 3D spaces—an upgrade from traditional 2D cleaning .
Dreame Technology showcased similar innovations at CES 2025, unveiling a product matrix including floor cleaners, window robots, and pool robots, all integrating advanced manipulation technologies. Caixin Securities analysts note that bionic manipulators allow intelligent robots to identify and relocate objects like shoes or toys, transforming them from mere cleaners to environmental organizers 🔶1-25🔶.
The competition isn’t limited to Chinese firms. Dyson entered the fray in 2024 with a smart vacuum robot featuring a Hyperdymium motor spinning at 10,000 rpm, generating 65AW (6,500Pa) of suction—evidence of how global players are pushing technical boundaries in the intelligent robot space .
Industry Dynamics: Intensifying Competition and R&D Pressures
The race to integrate DeepSeek and similar technologies reflects a broader involution in the cleaning appliance sector. While this drives innovation, it also squeezes profit margins. Bai Wenxi, vice chairman of the China Enterprise Capital Alliance, warns that price wars triggered by competition could harm long-term sustainability. However, he acknowledges that such pressures force companies to invest in R&D, such as embodied intelligence and biometric recognition, to differentiate their intelligent robot offerings .
Stone and Dreame’s focus on manipulator technology exemplifies this trend. The G30Space’s ability to navigate complex environments demonstrates how intelligent robots are evolving from single-task cleaners to multi-functional home assistants. This shift requires substantial R&D, but as Bai notes, “Enterprises must balance technology upgrades with market strategies to stand out” .
International Standards and Global Impact
China is also leading in setting global norms for intelligent robots. In February, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) released elderly care robot standard drafted by Chinese experts, providing a benchmark for product design, manufacturing, and testing. This standard not only elevates China’s role in the global intelligent robot industry but also paves the way for safer, more standardized elderly care solutions .
The standard’s release coincides with the rise of humanoid robots in household applications. Unitree launched its H1 and G1 humanoids in February, priced at 650,000 yuan and 99,000 yuan respectively, while Zhongqing Robot’s PM01 hit the market in December 2024 at 88,000 yuan. ZhiYuan Robot has even rolled out 1,000 units of its general-purpose embodied robot, signaling progress toward mass-market humanoid intelligent robots .
Future Prospects: From Cleaning to Comprehensive Home Assistance
Experts predict intelligent robots will soon transcend cleaning tasks. Yao Maoqing, executive director of the Zhiyuan Robot Research Institute, estimates humanoid robots will enter household use within five years, costing around 50,000 yuan. These robots could handle tasks like fetching items, making tea, and doing laundry—tasks that blend mobility, manipulation, and AI-driven decision-making .
A report titled 2024—2030 China Household Robot Industry Status and Market Prospect envisions intelligent robots evolving to learn user habits and adapt cleaning modes autonomously. Beyond cleaning, they may cook, care for children, or even provide entertainment, diversifying their roles in smart homes .
Guosen Securities suggests 2025 could be the “mass production first year” for humanoid robots, with DeepSeek’s cost-effective, open-source model accelerating breakthroughs in environment perception and task planning. This would enable intelligent robots to evolve continuously, addressing user needs more effectively over time .
Challenges and the Path Ahead
Despite the optimism, challenges remain. Data security and privacy, as highlighted by Liang Zhenpeng, are critical. As intelligent robots collect more household data, companies must implement robust safeguards to earn user trust .
Additionally, while technical advancements drive functionality, affordability remains a barrier. High-end humanoids like Unitree’s H1 are priced beyond most households, though models like Dreame and Stone’s floor cleaners demonstrate that intelligent robots can become more accessible through scaled production and strategic partnerships .
Bai Wenxi emphasizes the need for differentiated innovation. “Enterprises should explore niche technologies like emotional recognition in intelligent robots to avoid homogenization,” he advises, noting that unique value propositions will be key in a crowded market .
Conclusion: A New Era for Intelligent Home Assistants
The integration of DeepSeek into household robotics marks a pivotal moment in the intelligent robot evolution. From floor cleaners with AI-driven customization to humanoids poised to manage daily chores, these technologies promise to redefine domestic life. While hurdles like cost and data security persist, the industry’s rapid pace of innovation—fueled by competition, standardization, and breakthrough AI—suggests that intelligent robots will soon be more than just tools; they may become indispensable members of the smart home ecosystem. As Yao Maoqing envisions, the day when a humanoid robot fetches your morning coffee might be closer than we think—all thanks to the power of DeepSeek and the relentless drive to make intelligent robots an integral part of everyday life.