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Robot Autonomy Classified
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ROBOVATIONS/CLASSIFICATION RECORD/ROBOT VACUUMSRELEASED 2026.03REASSESSED 2026.06.20
Shark

Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal

UV stain detection is a novel capability, not a cosmetic feature. Navigation and mapping are category-standard (likely optical/sonar-based). The trade-off: you are buying Level III navigation with one Level IV feature (adaptive cleaning based on invisible soil).

Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal
FIT CHECK

Will the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal work in your home?

Describe your home on the right. Each choice reads the spec sheet for you, flagging where the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal is built for your space and where it isn’t.

Home size

Primary floors

Mopping needs

You want to…

A classification of fit for the conditions you set — not a recommendation. Verdicts describe engineering design intent, not test results.

SPECIFICATION

The full spec sheet.

Priced above the category median, with every figure charted against the category below.

Dimensions not publishedDimensional drawing
Key specificationsManufacturer-published
Wi-Fi
2.4 GHz only
Mapping & navigation

Obstacle avoidance (LiDAR or optical, unconfirmed); multi-floor mapping; self-docking.

Where it lands · ranked across 179 robot vacuumsThis robotMedianTypical range
Price$1,299.99
$120$2,599

Above median

Position shows where the figure sits across the tracked category — not a quality judgment.

Official referencesManufacturer site
OWNERSHIP

Living with it.

New flagship with single-source documentation; dock-based mop wash system is a reliability wildcard.

Shipping March 2026 with provisional evidence limited to manufacturer claims. Dual ultrasonic tank reliability, UV sensor lifespan, and dock mechanical durability not yet tested across owner cohorts. Shark's previous flagship (E25 Pro) showed stable performance after year one, but the mop-wash dock is novel in their product line.

Owner effort~2 hrshands-on per month
Consumables$85replaceable parts / yr
Reliability trendUnprovenowner-reported arc
What goes wrong · 4 documented · 0 self-recover
Common
Mop pad matting or debris buildupReduced suction efficiency; wet pickup trails on hard floors.
Owner fixManual rinse weekly; replacement pads every 3-4 months (~$20-30 per pair).
Occasional
Dock ultrasonic tank motor failureDock cannot wash mop pads; robot defaults to vacuum-only.
Owner fixManufacturer dock repair or replacement; workaround is manual pad washing.
Occasional
UV sensor dirt accumulationFalse negatives in stain detection; robot skips actual messes.
Owner fixManual lens cleaning during dock maintenance; replace bulb annually.
Occasional
Water tank leakage at dock connectionPooling water around dock; potential electrical hazard.
Owner fixCheck connection seals weekly; reseat cartridges if worn.
Upkeep routine
Weekly52×/yr
Empty dust bin; rinse mop pads under tap water (manual, not dock wash check). · Refill clean water tank in dock (dual ultrasonic system; dirty tank auto-empties).
Monthly12×/yr
Replace or deep-clean main filter; check brush bristles for pet hair wrap.
Seasonal4×/yr
Replace mop pads (~$20-30 per set of 2-3 pads).
Yearly1×/yr
Replace UV sensor bulb (cost TBD by Shark; typical UV bulbs $30-60); inspect dock electrical connectors for corrosion.
As neededno fixed schedule
Manual water tank inspection if pooling observed near dock base.
Safety notes

CautionElectrical hazard at dock water system: Dock has powered ultrasonic motors and water tanks in close proximity. Avoid contact with wet internals.

NoteMop pad lift height on carpeted transitions: Retracting mop may contact carpet fringes on hard-floor-to-carpet transitions; monitor for snags.

RECORD

How the assessment has moved.

Every announcement, release and reassessment behind the current classification.

Coming soon
Just launched
Active updates
Settled
Discontinued
  1. Mar 2026 · Announcementunveiled at CES 2026 with UV stain detection
  2. Mar 2026 · Releaselaunches commercially at $1,299 in March 2026
  3. May 2026 · NewsPowerDetect UV Reveal owner reports surface UV learning limits and dock reliability questions
Common questions

What people actually ask.

6 answered
Operation
Does the UV Reveal mop work on carpet, or only hard floors?
The mop pad retracts fully on carpet detection, but manufacturer specs do not detail the lift height or pressure curve. Early user reports suggest performance is similar to retractable-mop competitors (partial carpet swipe risk on transitions). Carpet-only homes would benefit from a non-mopping model.
Operation
How often do I need to clean or replace the UV light module?
UV bulb lifespan is not yet documented by Shark. Dual ultrasonic tanks (clean + dirty) auto-wash via the dock. The bulb itself likely requires annual replacement or earlier if sensor coverage falls below threshold—expect $30-60/yr in UV module consumables once data emerges.
Operation
Does the UV stain map carry over if I move to a new home?
Manufacturer documentation suggests the stain map is home-specific (tied to dock placement and layout). Moving the base to a different home would trigger a fresh learning phase. The robot retains manufacturer UV training data, not your home’s map.
Operation
What happens if the dock's ultrasonic tanks fail or the water gets dirty?
The dual-tank system auto-fills and drains; manual water top-ups are required weekly. If an ultrasonic motor fails, the dock cannot wash pads and the robot can only run in vacuum-only mode. Manufacturer repair pathway not yet detailed in public docs.
Compatibility
Is the PowerDetect UV Reveal compatible with smart home ecosystems (Alexa, Google Home)?
Manufacturer app is required for UV stain map viewing and manual spot-clean targeting. Alexa/Google Home integration status—voice start/stop, schedule changes—not yet confirmed. App-first control is the safe assumption until documented.
Comparison
How does suction power compare to Shark's non-UV flagship models?
Suction specifications not yet published by Shark. PowerDetect is Shark’s naming convention for obstacle-avoidant navigation across their lineup. Suction class (Pa) will likely match Shark’s 2025-2026 flagship vacuum tier once specs are available.

More in this category

Other robot vacuums we have classified.

Yeedi S20 Infinity UltraIII
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Yeedi S20 Infinity Ultra

Flagship robot vacuum with FocusJet stain-targeting technology and self-emptying dock. Positions above the standard S20…
Provisional62/100Capable
Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XLIII
Robot Vacuums

Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL

Hard floors 1,500-3,500 sqft, self-empty convenience, low consumable cost.
Discontinued71/100Capable
Dreame L10s Pro Ultra HeatIII
Robot Vacuums

Dreame L10s Pro Ultra Heat

Sealed-floor homes, hot-water operation, proven firmware, mid-tier pricing.
Verified72/100Capable
Roborock Q7 Max+III
Robot Vacuums

Roborock Q7 Max+

Multi-floor mixed homes; owners replacing manual mopping with automation; sealed hard floors with pet hair
Verified71/100Capable
Availability

Where it's sold

We may earn commission from qualifying purchases. This does not influence classification.

Amazon Checked Jun 23, 2026 $850In stock
Cite / Embed

Reference the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal classification.

Embed the Autonomy Ladder™ mark or copy the citation. The mark links back to this assessment and updates if the classification changes.

RobovationsAutonomy Ladder™Level IIIConditional AutonomyIndependent classification
Citation
Where to next

Three ways to keep going.

For evaluators

Compare with a peer.

Open the compare builder pre-loaded with the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal and Trifo Lucy. Side-by-side score, autonomy, fit profile, and trade-offs.

3 peers ready to compare right now.
For browsers

See every Level III.

Every robot we’ve classified at conditional autonomy. Sorted by readiness, score, and price. Filter by category, manufacturer, or release date.

Browse the database

Updated weekly with new entries and reclassifications.
By RobovationsUpdated: Jun 20, 2026
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