Smart home appliance maker Narwal has introduced a new AI-powered robotic vacuum cleaner that goes beyond basic cleaning, positioning its latest model as a home monitoring assistant capable of recognising pets, avoiding sensitive areas and even detecting small valuable items like jewelry.
Unveiled at CES 2026, the new Narwal Flow 2 integrates advanced artificial intelligence and computer vision to better understand its environment in real time. According to Narwal, the device uses onboard cameras and AI models to identify objects, people and pets, allowing it to adapt its behaviour dynamically as it moves through a home.
One of the standout features is pet monitoring. The Flow 2 can recognise cats and dogs, track their movement and avoid disturbing them while cleaning. Narwal says the system can also send alerts to users through a companion app if it notices unusual pet behaviour, such as prolonged inactivity, which could signal a potential issue when owners are away.
The AI system is also trained to identify small objects commonly lost during cleaning, including rings, earrings and other jewelry. When such items are detected, the vacuum avoids them and flags their location in the app, reducing the risk of valuables being accidentally sucked up or displaced during cleaning. This feature is aimed at solving a long-standing frustration among robot vacuum users.
For households with babies, Narwal has added context-aware sound control. When the Flow 2 detects that it is approaching a baby’s crib or nursery area, it automatically switches to a quieter operating mode. The company says this decision is made entirely on-device using visual recognition, without requiring manual zone configuration from the user.
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The Flow 2 also builds on Narwal’s existing mapping and navigation technology. The AI system allows the robot to distinguish between different floor types, cables, toys and furniture with greater accuracy, reducing collisions and improving cleaning efficiency. Narwal claims this results in fewer interruptions and more consistent coverage across complex home layouts.
Privacy was a key focus in the design, with Narwal stating that most visual processing happens locally on the device rather than being streamed to the cloud. Users can also control what data is stored, reviewed or deleted through the app, addressing growing concerns around cameras inside private living spaces.
The launch reflects a wider trend in the consumer electronics market, where AI is being embedded into everyday appliances to make them more adaptive and context-aware. Rather than simply automating chores, companies like Narwal are positioning smart devices as assistants that can observe, learn and respond intelligently to household activity.
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Narwal has not yet disclosed full pricing or global availability for the Flow 2, but confirmed that the model will roll out in select markets later in 2026. With competition intensifying in the premium robot vacuum segment, the company is betting that practical AI features , rather than raw suction power alone, will be the next major differentiator.
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