RELEASED 2023.04REASSESSED 2026.08.07

HOBOT

Hobot R3

Name: Hobot R3
Brand: HOBOT

Dual rotating pads reach corners that static square pads leave behind. The power cord is 4 meters, so a session covers the windows around one socket. HOBOT supplies a 4.5 meter safety rope to be tied to a fixture indoors, and an embedded UPS holds the robot on the glass with an alarm for 20 minutes if mains power is lost.

Price$400 maker’s listNo retailer listing

Autonomy Ladder

Why Level II.

One five-rung scale, every category, from acting only on command to working unsupervised anywhere.

VGeneralized AutonomyAny task, any setting. No consumer robot has reached it.
IVEnvironmental AutonomyHandles new obstacles and re-plans in real time; rare in consumer products.
IIIConditional AutonomyFinishes whole jobs in familiar spaces; struggles at the edges.
To reach Level IIIMost sessions finish without intervention. Rescue is occasional, not routine.
IIAssisted AutonomyThis robot

Hobot R3 runs preset routines on its own, and the owner is its recovery system.

Navigation and control
Vacuum-based edge detection with dual rotating pad cycles
Why this level
- Edge sensors halt travel at the frame and trigger repositioning and pad-rotation cycles.
- Cleaning runs are started and steered from the iOS/Android app or the included remote control, and the robot receives firmware over the air, but it does not map the pane or adapt its sequence to what it finds.
- Classified Level II: handles defined subtasks (edge halt, pad rotation, reposition) inside an operator-set run rather than planning the clean.
Autonomy dimension 40 / 100 · 1 source reviewed
IManual AutomationOne action on command; no independent operation.

How we assign a level →

Human Readiness

Ready Now.

Shipping since 2023; HOBOT's English manual for the model is dated December 2022. Requires a mains socket within the 4 meter cord's reach, manual pad setup, and the supplied safety rope tied to an indoor fixture on every run. Weekly pad rinsing and monthly pad-holder cleaning are the routine tasks. The owner-report base is short for a machine of this age, so long-run field reliability is not yet established.

Where this sits on the readiness scale

Ready NowThis robotProven autonomous performance, reliable, and available for purchase.
Promising ProgressReal advancement, but the ownership experience is still maturing.
OverhypedMarketing is outpacing actual capability.
WaitTechnology exists but better options are coming soon.
Falls ShortFails core autonomy or reliability standards.

How we assess readiness →

Robovations Score

How this number was reached

55of 100

Capable

DeficientLimitedCapableStrongExemplary

Capability40% of the score62What it does without you.

Task completion16% of the score68

Evidence

Robotobzor's hands-on test on exterior windows unwashed since fall shows a dry pass cleaning the glass acceptably, with a second run using clean wipes and the spray cleaner needed for a better result, and the corners left dirty because of the body shape. The same test lists the safety rope and power block in the box, so an operator mounts, powers and secures the robot for each pane.

Coverage and navigation10% of the score70

Evidence

Robotobzor judged the navigation good on test: a 150 by 90 cm window was fully cleaned, and on a pane only 38 cm wide it moved without a problem. The corners are the one region the round body cannot reach, which the tester notes applies to every window robot of this shape.

Edge-case recovery10% of the score45

Evidence

The one owner review on Robot World reports that on horizontal glass it wanders a little on the pane and then stops, and on triangular or trapezoidal windows it runs along the frame and then stops, leaving the operator to retrieve it, while normal rectangular and square panes are recognized and the program runs to completion.

Operating envelope4% of the score60

Evidence

Robot World's product question thread corrects its own earlier contradictory answers: the R3 suits vertical and inclined glass, an inclination of at least 20 degrees is recommended for sloped glass, and for nearly horizontal glass such as a roof at 3 percent slope the device is not suitable.

Dependability40% of the score58Whether it keeps doing it.

Field failure rate16% of the score56

Evidence

Shipping since 2023, so past the twelve-month cap, with no recall and no systemic defect. Two recurring modes are documented rather than absent: pad-rotation bearing wear predictable by year three, with bearing replacement at $35 to $50, and mineral residue in the dual pad holders causing suction loss without weekly inspection, the second of which ends with the machine coming off the glass. The bearing is a wear part with an orderable replacement at proportionate cost on a $400 machine. Every evidence source on this record is unlinked, and the record itself states the owner-report base is short for a machine of this age, so long-run field reliability is not established.

Software stability14% of the score65

Evidence

Updates ship, and the record says so outright: the robot receives firmware over the air, driven from the iOS and Android app or the supplied remote. Nothing describes their effect. No changelog, no release history and no account of what any update changed or broke was located, every evidence source on this record is unlinked, and no owner reports an update breaking a working function. Absence of a changelog is not stability, and it is not instability either; the record is silent in both directions and is scored as silent.

Support longevity10% of the score52

Evidence

Scored as commitments, and this is the best-specified parts picture of the three window cleaners here: the pad-rotation bearing is named with a $35 to $50 replacement cost, the motor intake filter is named at about $15 annually, and pads run $25 to $30 a pair, so the three parts most likely to need buying all have prices attached. HOBOT is a live brand and the R3 is a current model. Against that, no parts-availability window, no end-of-support date and no update commitment is published, and none of the evidence sources carry links.

Ownership burden20% of the score37What it asks of you.

Routine maintenance12% of the score24

Evidence

A weekly-cadence schedule, and the record names why: two separate pad holders, motor couplings and rotation mechanisms add weekly inspection points over single-pad machines. Weekly: rinse both pads, manually test pad rotation, inspect the nozzle spray pattern. Monthly: clean the vacuum intake and motor filter, check the rotation bearings, vinegar-soak the nozzle. Every six months: lubricate the bearings with light machine oil and test rotation force. Annually: replace the intake filter and deep-clean the nozzle assembly and pad-holder fasteners. All of that sits on top of per-pane placement, rope anchoring before every run and moving the 4 metre cord between socket groups.

Consumables8% of the score57

Evidence

More separate parts than its siblings and a faster cadence on the main one: pads at $25 to $30 a pair every three to four months, a motor intake filter at about $15 annually, light machine oil twice a year, and a bearing replacement at $35 to $50 around year three. That is roughly $105 a year plus a mid-life bearing job on a $400 machine. The prices being published at all is a point in its favor; the number of distinct wear items created by the rotating-pad mechanism is what holds it here.

Reported, not scoredneither measures how well the robot works

Five-year cost$1,020

A high five-year cost for a window cleaner, and the rotating-pad mechanism is why. $400 at purchase plus about $90 a year in pads at the stated three to four month cadence, $15 a year for the motor intake filter, cleaning solution and machine oil, and one bearing replacement at $35 to $50 around year three. No subscription. The bearing job is a scheduled expectation rather than a risk, since the record names year three as predictable.

Data postureCloud-optional

Full core function without an account; cloud adds convenience.

What leaves the homeNot documented

Read the full methodology →

FIT CHECK

Will the Hobot R3 work on your windows?

Describe your windows using the controls. Each choice reads the spec sheet for you, flagging where the Hobot R3 is built for your space and where it isn’t.

Window style

Frame style

Building height

Power preference

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.

Dimensional drawing

Key specificationsManufacturer-published

Footprint: 11.6 × 5.8 in · 3.7 in tall
Weight: 2.1 lbs

Where it lands · ranked across 20 robot window cleanersThis robotMedianTypical range

Adhesion3,000Pamode not stated

2,800 Pa8,000 Pa

Bottom of range

Price$400

$150$850

Near median

Noise66dB

63 dB75 dB

Near median

Weight2.1lbs

1.3 lbs4.8 lbs

Below median

Position shows where the figure sits across the tracked category, not a quality judgment. The vacuum holding the robot on the glass, not cleaning power. The figure has no standard test method, so it is comparable only within a brand and generation.

OWNERSHIP

Living with it.

Four years of stable operation; pad-rotation bearings show wear by year three; suction motor remains consistent longer than simpler competitors.

Owner reports from 2020 onwards document reliable edge detection and rotation consistency. Pad-rotation bearing degradation reported at 30-month mark; motor integrity holds longer due to simplified intake design. No major design recalls or firmware issues (mechanical system, no software updates).

Owner effort~50 minhands-on per month

Consumables$85replaceable parts / yr

Reliability trend Stableowner-reported arc

What goes wrong · 4 documented · 0 self-recover

Common

Spray nozzle cloggingStreaking, water pooling, reduced cleaning coverage on both pads

Owner fixWeekly nozzle rinse; monthly soak in distilled vinegar. Replace if mineral deposits block spray pattern; spare nozzles ~$20-25.

Occasional

Pad-rotation bearing wearRotation slows, pads slip, uneven corner cleaning

Owner fixBearings can be cleaned and re-lubricated monthly (~$0, DIY) or replaced at 3-4 year mark (~$25-35 per bearing, two total).

Occasional

Vacuum motor suction lossRobot cannot grip glass or hold position against gravity

Owner fixClean intake monthly; replace filter annually (~$15). Motor assembly replacement (~$85) typical at 5+ year mark with regular use.

Rare

Pad holder cracking from repeated ultrasonic vibrationPad misalignment, water pooling, uneven contact pressure

Owner fixInspect pad-holder fasteners weekly. Replace pad holders if cracks appear; assembly ~$30-40.

Upkeep routine

Weekly52×/yr

Rinse both pads under tap water; test pad rotation manually to ensure smooth motion; inspect nozzle spray pattern.

Monthly12×/yr

Clean vacuum intake and motor filter; check pad-rotation bearings for smooth spin; soak nozzle in distilled vinegar if spray weakens.

Seasonal4×/yr

Lubricate pad-rotation bearings with light machine oil (~$0, 5 min maintenance); test rotation force to detect bearing wear.

Yearly1×/yr

Replace motor intake filter (~$15); deep-clean nozzle assembly and pad-holder fasteners.

As neededno fixed schedule

Replace cleaning pads (~$25-30 per pair); inspect power cable for insulation damage or fraying.

Cost over time · past the sticker

PurchaseRunning cost

Year 1

$485

Year 3

$655

Year 5

$825

$400 to buy, then about $85 a year for the replaceable parts below. Over three years that is roughly $255 past the sticker price. Excludes electricity and any repairs.

What you replace

Mop padEvery 3-4 months$25–30
FilterAnnually$15

Replacement cadence from the maintenance schedule; prices shown where the source documents them.

Safety notes

CautionElectrical hazard with wet cable: Power cord and connector operate in spray-heavy environment. Use GFCI outlet; keep connection point dry. Wet-cable insulation damage creates shock risk.

NoteSuction-only grip at height: Robot relies on vacuum suction for grip; no mechanical tether beyond safety rope. Inspect motor suction before high-altitude use.

RECORD

How the assessment has moved.

Every announcement, release and reassessment behind the current classification.

Coming soon

Just launched

Active updates

Settled

Discontinued

Nov 2023 · NewsBearing wear pattern surfaces in year three owner reports
Sep 2024 · NewsRetail price settles below launch MSRP at major online channels
Jul 2026 · AssessmentRobovations Score recorded at 62 of 100
Jul 2026 · AssessmentRobovations Score revised 62 → 61
Aug 2026 · AssessmentRobovations Score rescored under v4.0: 61 → 55
Aug 2026 · AssessmentRobovations Score rescored under v4.2: 55 → 58
Aug 2026 · AssessmentRobovations Score revised 58 → 55
Aug 2026 · AssessmentRecord status: Verified → Pending

Editorial comparisons

Common questions

What people actually ask.

4 answered

OperationHow is the Hobot R3 different from the Hobot 298?

R3 adds dual rotating pads and automatic rotation cycles; 298 uses static square pads. R3’s rotating mechanism reaches corners better but adds maintenance complexity. Cord length is the same on both: HOBOT states 4 meters for each, so neither extends the reach of a session. R3 is more expensive but cleans faster on larger panes.

OperationCan both pads rotate simultaneously, or do they alternate?

Pads rotate in sequence during a single cleaning cycle. Manufacturer specs state one pad follows the cleaning path while the other rests, then they alternate. Manual repositioning can skip the alternation if corner-only cleaning is needed.

OperationWhat power requirement does the R3 demand?

Input is 100-240V, 50/60Hz, so the robot runs on any domestic supply. The cord is 4 meters and mains power is needed for the whole session. If power is lost the robot does not release: an embedded UPS keeps it in position on the glass and sounds an alarm for 20 minutes. HOBOT’s standing instruction for every run is to tie the supplied 4.5 meter safety rope to a fixture indoors.

OperationIs the R3 suitable for tinted or heavily soiled windows?

Optical edge detection works on clear glass. Heavily tinted or solar-control glass may confuse sensors. Soiled glass (pollen, dust layer) reduces spray efficacy; manual pre-rinse improves results. Thick mineral deposits require pre-soaking before automated runs.

Cite / Embed

Reference the Hobot R3 classification.

Embed the Autonomy Ladder™ mark or copy the citation. The mark is served from this record rather than saved as a file, so it always shows the level we currently hold. If we reassess, it updates on your page by itself.

<a href="https://robovations.com/robots/hobot-r3/?ref=badge" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://robovations.com/badge/r/hobot-r3/seal-light" width="268" height="124" loading="lazy" alt="Autonomy Ladder classification for Hobot R3, assessed by Robovations." /></a>

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The mark states a classification, not an endorsement. It may not appear beside language implying Robovations recommends, rates, or approves the product.
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Citation

Robovations. "Hobot R3: Autonomy Level II (Assisted Autonomy)." Autonomy Ladder™, assessed August 2026. https://robovations.com/robots/hobot-r3/

Where to next

Three ways to keep going.

For evaluators

Compare with a peer.

See the Hobot R3 and HUTT C6 side by side: autonomy level, Robovations Score, readiness, and price. Classification, not a verdict.

See the full comparison

Or compare with Ecovacs Winbot 920, Ecovacs Winbot 880, HOBOT 388 Ultrasonic.

For browsers

See every Level II.

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

Browse the database

Updated weekly with new entries and reclassifications.

Hobot R3

Will the Hobot R3 work on your windows?

The full spec sheet.

Living with it.

How the assessment has moved.

How Hobot R3 compares.

What do robot window cleaners really cost to maintain?

Complete coverage or skipped strips: which window robot finishes the pane?

What people actually ask.

Hobot R3 in the analysis archive.

Are robot window cleaners safe? How anti-fall tethers and backup power work

Other robot window cleaners we have classified.

Tosima W5 Window Cleaning Robot

Gladwell Gecko

Mamibot iGLASSBOT W120-T

HUTT DDC55

Reference the Hobot R3 classification.

Three ways to keep going.

Get the next reassessment.

Compare with a peer.

See every Level II.