xLean Robotics Unveils Transformable Cleaning Robot TR1 at IFA 2025

At IFA 2025 in Berlin, amidst a sea of established brands, the startup xLean Robotics managed to stand out. Emerging from the T-Stone Robotics Institute at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, the young company unveiled its first consumer product: the xLean TR1, a dual-form cleaning robot designed to tackle one of the toughest challenges in home automation.

A Robot With Two Identities

TR1 is hailed as the world’s first dual-form cleaning robot. Within seconds, it can switch between two distinct identities using an electric locking mechanism:

• Robot Mode for autonomous whole-home cleaning.
• Handheld Mode for handling spills, pet messes, and kitchen chaos—situations traditional robots can’t manage.

This dual functionality addresses a genuine gap in the market. While robot vacuums are becoming smarter, users still reach for paper towels and mops when sudden sticky accidents occur. TR1 aims to make those tools obsolete.

Solving the Real Problem

The toughest part of mixed debris isn’t suction—it’s separation. Liquids can clog rollers, while solids get smeared. xLean’s solution combines Dual-Motor Direct Suction™ with VortexMatrix™ Separation Technology. Together, they suck up both solids and liquids and separate them inside the device’s OMNI Station.

The station does more than just charge. It automatically separates solid waste, flushes the system with 60°C hot water, and dries both the robot and station. The consumer message is simple: no more secondary mess, no more maintenance nightmares.

What sets xLean apart most is its software. TR1 features Self-Evolving Intelligence, powered by Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback (RLHF). In handheld mode, as the user cleans a spill, the robot records the method, pressure, duration, and endpoint. This knowledge transfers to robot mode, enabling TR1 to clean in a way xLean calls “human intent.”

With user permission, anonymized data is uploaded to the cloud, allowing xLean to refine its learning models and deliver OTA updates. In other words, the longer you use TR1, the smarter it becomes—both individually and across the entire fleet.

The Startup Journey

Founded in 2022, xLean’s leadership team includes robotics PhDs, IEEE fellows, and veterans from DJI, Roborock, and XREAL. Founder and CEO Kehan Xue defines the company’s philosophy as “one robot, one task, done best.” This contrasts sharply with competitors who pile on features without addressing core pain points.

TR1 represents xLean’s attempt to prove that home robots can evolve—not through flashy gimmicks, but by closing the loop between humans and machines. If successful, it will also serve as a gateway into more general-purpose robotics.

Market Outlook

xLean is showcasing TR1 at IFA. A Kickstarter campaign is set to launch in the coming weeks, giving early supporters worldwide a chance to back the product. Pricing has not yet been announced, but xLean positions TR1 in the premium segment, closer to high-end robot vacuums than entry-level models.

This launch is significant for two reasons: First, it represents a rare case of true innovation in a stagnant category. Second, it illustrates how startups can transform niche, unglamorous problems into scalable opportunities. If TR1 succeeds, it will demonstrate that the next wave of robotics companies will rise not from hype cycles, but from solving the messy realities of everyday life.