Dreame Apex prototype: Next-gen robot mower built to water and tidy your garden

Robot vacuums have come a long way technologically and are now highly capable of performing their core tasks, as our reviews have proved time and again. This has put companies under pressure to innovate, for example by adding stair-climbing capabilities or even a robotic arm. Robot lawn mowers are currently experiencing a similar trend. At Appliances & Electronics World Expo (AWE) 2026 in Shanghai, Dreame unveiled a robot lawn mower featuring a gripper arm.

On paper, this gripper arm opens up new possibilities. For instance, the mower can move obstacles – such as toys – to already mowed areas, eliminating the need to clear them away beforehand. Dreame also highlighted other features offered by the Apex, including its ability to water gardens. This doesn’t seem too far-fetched, especially given the availability of smart valves with Zigbee support, and specially designed spray nozzles could enable accurate positioning.

According to Dreame, the Apex Embodied AI Mower can even play with children, though it remains unclear what this actually entails. The exact specifications, release date and price have not yet been revealed. The Apex isn't Dreame's first robot lawn mower with a gripper arm; the company previously unveiled the Mova NexLawn Master X. Prototypes of the Apex Embodied AI Mower have already been shown.