Helping Robots See Underwater: Benewake VLS-H5 Powers MOVA Rover X10

Benewake, a deep-tech company focused on being the eyes of robots and becoming AI infrastructure for the physical world, has announced that its newly launched VLS-H5, the world's first underwater omnidirectional scanning LiDAR to reach mass production at scale, has been adopted by the premium MOVA Rover X10 intelligent pool-cleaning robot, jointly developed by Surge Future and MOVA. The robot made its global debut at a launch event in Silicon Valley in the United States.

This marks the first deployment of Benewake VLS-H5 at scale in a mass-produced premium pool robot, ushering in a new stage of intelligent underwater perception that combines omnidirectional scanning, ambient-light resistance and scalable production.

At the M∞VA Universe global launch event in Silicon Valley, Surge Future and MOVA unveiled three next-generation pool-cleaning robots: the Rover X10, Rover Master and Diver A10. They also introduced an integrated, AI-centered smart garden ecosystem spanning yards, lawns, pools and outdoor energy management.

Overseas channel partners and technology media from around the world gathered at the event. The flagship Rover X10 drew attention with its 360° AquaScan™ navigation system. Benewake VLS-H5 provides the underlying underwater perception that supports this system.

The MOVA Rover X10 is the world's first premium intelligent pool robot equipped with underwater 360° omnidirectional LiDAR.

Unlike most comparable products limited to two-dimensional pool-floor mapping, the Rover X10 uses VLS-H5 for real-time spatial perception and centimeter-level localization. It operates stably in real pools with complex shapes, varying depths and numerous corners.

This is more than a component upgrade: it is a generational advance in underwater perception.

Designed for underwater operation

The VLS-H5 is not a general-purpose LiDAR modified for use in water. It was designed from the ground up for underwater optical perception, systematically addressing three physical challenges:

• Absorption by water.

• Intense sunlight reflected from the water surface.

• Scattering by suspended particles.

Through coordinated hardware and software design, the VLS-H5 increases ambient-light tolerance from the industry's conventional 100 KLux level to 160 KLux. Even in direct summer midday sunlight in low-latitude European and North American markets, it continuously delivers stable, complete, high-quality point-cloud data.

In clear water, its range exceeds 5 m, covering more than 78 m² of pool area in a single scan. In turbid water (NTU ≤ 4), it maintains an effective range of at least 1.5 m and measurement accuracy of ≤ 3 cm across the range.

Reliability is essential

LiDAR forms the foundation of safe underwater perception, and reliability is an essential requirement.

Within a compact 75 × 52 × 53 mm package, the VLS-H5 achieves IPX8 waterproof protection for long-term stable operation at a depth of 4 m. It uses corrosion- and UV-resistant materials, high-transmittance coatings and a waterproof aviation-style connector. Every unit undergoes strict airtightness testing before shipment to meet the demands of corrosive pool environments, strong UV exposure and abrasion.

With 360° omnidirectional scanning, a 6 Hz refresh rate and a SLAM algorithm, the robot achieves almost instantaneous mapping in typical private pools, replacing traditional exploratory boundary-following mapping.

Combined with:

• Centimeter-level localization with repeatability better than 2 cm.

• Stable ranging at incidence angles approaching 80°.

• A small blind zone of less than 10 cm.

These capabilities give the Rover X10 stable control and full coverage along edges, around corners, on steps and at the waterline, including areas that were previously difficult to clean.

The VLS-H5 has passed international certifications including CE, FCC, FDA and RoHS, and complies with Class 1 eye-safety standards, supporting rapid entry into mainstream European and North American markets.

Voices from both partners

Benewake founder and CEO Yuan Li said:

Pool-cleaning robots are one of the most mature applications in consumer robotics and one of the toughest tests of underwater perception. From the automotive-grade AD series to the underwater debut of VLS-H5, Benewake has consistently followed a steady, reliable deep-tech path, extending LiDAR into the most challenging robot-perception applications. We will continue to deepen collaboration across the entire value chain with Surge Future and jointly define new standards for underwater intelligent perception.

Lei Huang, Global Head of MOVA Intelligent Pool Robots and President of Surge Future, said:

Our close collaboration with Benewake is a key part of our strategy in intelligent perception. The VLS-H5 brings a critical breakthrough in the Rover X10's underwater perception and environmental recognition, taking pool cleaning from automation toward intelligence and delivering a more efficient, smarter and more convenient cleaning experience for users worldwide.

Beyond a single product integration

This collaboration represents more than the integration of a LiDAR component. It is a joint effort to establish a new standard for underwater intelligent perception.

Benewake will continue to focus its products on being the eyes of robots, with AI infrastructure for the physical world as its long-term direction. From underwater cleaning to outdoor mowing, embodied intelligence and logistics robots, we will work with industry leaders including Surge Future and MOVA to bring spatial intelligence to consumer and industrial robots, advancing clearer, more reliable and more intelligent perception.