[Unboxing] From 100°C Steam to 10W Suction Power... A Complete Breakdown of Samsung's 2026 "Bespoke AI Steam"

Unboxing the New Samsung "Bespoke AI Steam"
Delayed Robot Vacuum Finally Arrives in February
Equipped with Liquid Recognition and Automatic Water Supply & Drainage
Enhanced Security as a Differentiation Strategy from Chinese Lineups

Samsung Electronics has released the 2026 model of its "Bespoke AI Steam" robot vacuum cleaner. As Chinese home appliance makers such as Roborock are quickly rolling out their robot vacuum lineups this year, Samsung is targeting domestic consumers by differentiating its product with significantly enhanced sterilization and security features.

On the 11th, Samsung Electronics held a media briefing at Samsung Gangnam in Seocho-gu and unveiled the new "Bespoke AI Steam" robot vacuum cleaner. Compared to the previous model, the Bespoke AI Steam offers up to twice the suction power, delivering 10W (watts) of suction. It also introduces a variety of new cleaning solutions, including "AI Liquid Recognition," which detects transparent liquids; "Easy Pass Wheel," which can climb thresholds up to 45 mm high; and "Pop Out Combo," which is equipped with both a mop and a brush.

In particular, the new product offers an even more convenient cleaning experience with an "automatic water supply and drainage" model that eliminates the need to manually fill or empty the water tank. This model automatically supplies clean water and, after cleaning, discharges wastewater directly through the drainpipe. A newly applied "self-cleaning wash plate" automatically removes dust and contaminants from the mop cleaning plate as well.

Yonhap News Agency

Post-cleaning hygiene management has also become easier. The "Steam Clean Station" uses 100°C steam to sterilize 99.999% of bacteria on the mop surface and remove odors, allowing the mop to be maintained in a hygienic condition.

Previously, Samsung Electronics showcased this product at the "IFA 2025" exhibition held in Berlin, Germany, in September last year. However, as the launch was delayed until the end of the same year, there was criticism that the release of the new model was becoming uncertain.

Subsequently, Samsung reintroduced the upgraded 2026 model of the Bespoke AI Steam at "CES 2026" in Las Vegas, U.S., in January. Samsung explained that it has strengthened security in this year's new model. The newly added "Knox Matrix" enables devices connected via SmartThings, such as smartphones and home appliances, to monitor each other's security status and detect and block threats. Through "Knox Vault," sensitive personal data such as passwords, authentication codes, and encryption keys are stored separately in a hardware security chip.

The new product also features end-to-end encryption (E2EE), which encrypts image and video data captured by the robot vacuum within the device itself, preventing personal information leaks even if the server is attacked or a user account is compromised. Earlier, the "Bespoke AI Steam" received the highest "Diamond" rating in the Internet of Things (IoT) security safety evaluation conducted by global certification company UL Solutions. It also obtained "Standard Plus," the highest level in the IoT security certification program run by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA).

In addition, the new model offers family care features based on SmartThings, such as "Home Monitoring," which allows users to check the status of their home via the robot vacuum when they are away, and "Safe Patrol," in which the robot vacuum patrols the house if no activity is detected for a certain period of time.

2026 model 'Bespoke AI Steam' robot vacuum feature video. Samsung Electronics.

At the briefing, Im Sungtaek, Executive Vice President and Head of Samsung Electronics Korea, said, "This new product is a K-robot vacuum cleaner that strengthens the core functions a robot vacuum should have, such as suction power and hygiene solutions, while fundamentally alleviating customers' concerns with powerful security," adding, "With Samsung Electronics' reliable peace-of-mind service, we will secure leadership in the robot vacuum cleaner market."

Samsung Electronics will begin pre-sales of the "Bespoke AI Steam Ultra" from the 11th until March 2. It is the highest-spec model among the three lineups, which consist of Ultra, Plus, and Standard models. The automatic water supply and drainage model is priced at 2.04 million won, and the standard freestanding model is priced at 1.86 million won. The Plus model will go on official sale together with the Ultra starting March 3, while the Standard model will be available for purchase from April.