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Contents INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 2 HOW A ROBOT VACUUM WORKS ................................................................................................................. 2 What Does A Robot Vacuum Cleaner Look Like? ..................................................................................... 2 How Does It Work? ................................................................................................................................... 3 ADVANTAGES OF USING IT ........................................................................................................................... 3 They Are Easy To Use ................................................................................................................................ 3 They Are Intelligent ................................................................................................................................... 4 They Are Affordable, Easy To Repair and Upgrade ................................................................................... 4 FACTORS TO CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING A ROBOTIC VACUUM .................................................................. 4 Home Design ............................................................................................................................................. 5 Consumption ............................................................................................................................................. 5 Budget ....................................................................................................................................................... 5 Navigation Technique ............................................................................................................................... 6 Maintenance ............................................................................................................................................. 6 Extra Features ........................................................................................................................................... 6 Limitations ................................................................................................................................................ 7 CLEARING ITS CLEANING PATH ..................................................................................................................... 7 Recommended Models ................................................................................................................................. 8 Roomba 600 series.................................................................................................................................... 8 Roomba 700 series.................................................................................................................................... 8 Roomba 800 series.................................................................................................................................... 9 Neato XV series ......................................................................................................................................... 9 Neato Botvac series ................................................................................................................................ 10 iClebo Arte .............................................................................................................................................. 11 LG HomBot 3.0 ........................................................................................................................................ 11 Infinuvo ................................................................................................................................................... 12
INTRODUCTION From The Jetsons to Wall-E, the world of animation has kept alive our desire to work with the “interesting toys” that robotic vacuums are. There are people who are tempted to suggest that it’s all about “fun factor”, that these vacuums don’t have anything more to offer. Well, we think they have never tried going beyond that. As obsolete as the standard, human-engineered vacuum cleaners are, most of the manufacturers bringing the robovac to market do not claim the latter would replace them. In fact, they are meant for a supplementary role; by performing weekly touch-ups at the least, they ensure that the house remains cleaner in between your vacuuming cycles. Each unit in the range of cleaners is packed with multiple functions that allow you to program it according to your needs and requirements. From lawns, windows, pools, barbeque grills, gutters and even the dirt and dander associated with pets, introducing a robot vacuum to your house is bound to change your household cleaning forever. While it may sound more appealing to a person who doesn’t vacuum in the first place, even clean freaks are going to be appreciating help that requires minimal input on their behalf. After all, who wouldn’t like the increased efficiency of the latest models that are aimed to work in limited space and time? To let someone else do all the dirty work while you sit back and enjoy? Besides, the way robot vacuums are increasing their popularity– having always been a favorite with customers working long hours and those who suffer from mobility and allergy issues – among people of all ages and preferences, it shows they are here to stay for a long, long time.
HOW A ROBOT VACUUM WORKS A robot vacuum is just one type vacuum that you may choose to buy. Combining battery power in this timesaving appliance make these tiny robots powerful, hands-free cleaners who seek and pick up the dust, dirt, sand, or lint that is lying across your floor. Moreover, the intelligent programming for the limited cleaning system allows it to be independent, enabling homeowners to continue doing their work without having to worry about cleaning their respective areas.
What Does A Robot Vacuum Cleaner Look Like? The design involving both the interior and exterior of the cleaning robot makes it a powerful one. It is usually circular in shape and approximately 12 inches in diameter and 4 inches in height. The control panel is at the top mainly for users to avoid touching the sensitive touch-pad interface or buttons by mistake. Depending upon the model and brand, you may be lucky to find a LCD monitor and sensors for obstacles attached to the cleaning unit. With its typical side sweeper bar, a main sweeper brush, and a vacuum motor, it is quick to adapt to the environment and vacuum exactly as you want it to.
How Does It Work? Let’s begin with the controls shall we? The on-board controls are one way for you to influence your robot model. Another way to do it will be the wireless. By either taking the Internet or taking the radio frequency tech, you can manage it from wherever you want to. Most of these robotic cleaners are designed to move around with one or more non-driven caster wheels supported along by two drive wheels. The aforementioned sensors are usually positioned underneath the body to help the robot analyze its environment, for e.g. the distance it travelled or whether there are any stairs ahead. The sensors are even wired to alert them with respect to the status of the electronics. When they are not working, the robotic vacuum will sit in its docking station, one that is open and accessible. The point of having a docking station is to charge the batteries during their routine. Additionally, it also has a “V-shaped” light beam to act as the beacon for the robot when it is finding its way back after having finished its work or when it is about to run out of batteries. Conversely, the more advanced ones will bring a self-charging mode with themselves to memorize this location. Supposing you don’t have a docking station for your ‘lovely’, you will still have its power supply unit. Use that to connect it manually to an electrical outlet. If it had aborted the cleaning cycle due to battery rundown, you can rest reassured that the robot is going to complete it once it has been recharged. You may be surprised to know that some of these genius creations have been built to even “speak” with a full bin indicator and inform you that they have finished vacuuming the carpets and floors and are settled at their stations waiting for you to empty them. Regarding its navigation style, there are more than one cleaning mode for the robots to find their way around, including circular pattern, wall following, diagonal criss-crossing, zigzagging etc. and they need to be precise on this front. They achieve this by letting complex algorithms work and calculate the right path for them judging it through the condition and sensors that users chose to preprogram it with. Some people, and manufacturers, believe that this is what makes all the difference in the models. Mostly though, you will find the navigation mode for the multi-room navigation feature set apart from the normal one. And as series advance, their systems are naturally improved to cater to a fresh market. Last but not the least, depending upon the model, the robot can be prevented to go beyond a specific place by placing either standalone devices to emit infrared beams or have a magnetic band stretched across the entrance to stop them.
ADVANTAGES OF USING IT Much to the delight of their customers, due to their independent nature, robotic vacuums have not only entered the mainstream market but also comfortably settle in their respective niche. The following are a few reasons why this was so:
They Are Easy To Use A robotic vacuum cleans unattended. It doesn’t need a special configuration or anything to move around randomly or methodically just so you can have a sparkling clean room without having to supervise it. However, if you want to have more control over it, you may consider using some special strips or infrared light, to ensure it doesn’t go over to areas you don’t want it to clean. Second, setting a specific schedule to cleaning is a bonus that people should really be grateful for. A treat for some, some home and even business owners need it to get their cleaning done when the quarters are empty or not in use. You can also be a step ahead and program a cleaning schedule for your robotic vacuum to synchronize with its battery power – it can begin working when the battery is full. Furthermore, you wouldn’t have to worry about getting it recharged because they will be taking care of that as well to save you time and be primed for their next mission.
They Are Intelligent Using the core tech that is required in land mine clearance, they are equipped to function optimally by detecting drops, obstacles, dirt, its base etc. When you know that they are able to pick up a corner and clean hard to reach areas and linger on a very dirty spot without assuming or randomly cleaning the area, you know you have your hygiene issues covered. Their intelligence also contributes to their efficient operations with minimal human effort. For people who don’t have the money to hire help and don’t want to do it themselves either, a robotic vacuum cleaner has them sufficiently covered.
They Are Affordable, Easy To Repair and Upgrade Even though they are high tech, robot vacuums are quite affordable. In fact, they are cheaper than hiring a maid. Next, if your machine has been created with an eco-friendly system, you get to go easy on energy costs in your property. Unlike the expensive vacuum bags that come to our mind when we think of vacuum cleaners due to the traditional units that have been in use, you are saving money in this situation. The fear of ruining these charming investments instead of being able to perform maintenance correctly is a pressure you can now say goodbye to. Similarly, the more attentive you are in making their cleaning patterns efficient, the more you are going to enjoy upgrading them with the latest software. From brushes to batteries and other unique qualities, you can ensure they last a long time.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING A ROBOTIC VACUUM This is an important stage, which anyone – and everyone – should be concerned with before having it charged to their credit. It is easy to be enchanted with the many types of cleaners out there whether they are newer brands or well-known ones; it is natural for people to be biased. Where you go shopping for the home appliance is, of course, imperative too. But, why should you suffer by accepting a model
you don’t want to use only to pay later for a different, yet “better” one? A check would not only save you money but may as well allow you to relish the chance of having made the right decision, of having bought one as per your needs.
Home Design The purpose is to help you with this chore and save your time eventually. The layout in most apartments and houses matters because it defines their optimum working capacity. For example, if you have stairs, you may want to think about a vacuum that comes with built-in sensing technology that can aid them in avoiding them. Secondly, also keep in mind the type of surface your robotic helper would be cleaning while looking at the design. Maybe you would be inclined to have a carpet at your place in the near future. Would it be better to buy one that is suitable for a primary surface (wood, carpet) only or will getting a model that works best with a variety of surfaces serve you more?
Consumption This question is not about whether they have an internal rechargeable battery. Every robotic vacuum has those. Rather it is about how long it will be able to last: some can last for a longer time on a single charge. Don’t miss out on the optional self-charging base accessory if you can. You do realize that power levels are one way how models differ in their performance, don’t you? Ask yourself if you want it to vacuum frequently and/or a large area and that how much time are you willing to wait for whilst it gets fully charged. Generally, with approximately 3-4 hours utilized for charging to operate normally, a robot can clean for around 1-4 hours on average. In spite of the fact that manufacturers exaggerate the time digits for full charge, you can prolong it with a few tips such as the fact that cleaning tiles will consume less charge and so would slow speed and navigation without transition to different surfaces. Plus, be sure to inspect the capacity of its dust container. If it can hold more dust, it will require a stronger engine. Additionally, can it be removed from the unit easily and does it have a handle that can allow you to shift it to another floor are some concerns that it is better to addressed now.
Budget A brand generates loyalty if a) b) c) d)
It is popular and the person is an avid follower; Contributes to charities; Has been acclaimed to be more environment friendly; or Because their customers’ prior experience with their products has been a good one.
A more significant impact, however, comes from the price range it offers. While some would prefer keeping it as the deciding factor i.e. to know what they want in their vacuum and to search within this budget, you can also take the other way round. This is because even a vacuum that has a low price can be a good one. And the features it will boast of, not necessarily having each and every one on the list,
may still be able to suffice your wishes. For example, a simple one at a lower price can clean hard flooring with no trouble at all. On the other hand, if you can afford them, it is a higher priced unit usually that comes with memory, schedulers, transitioning abilities, and sensors.
Navigation Technique They have been designed to work on hard flooring. Nevertheless, you are bound to find some that can move gently from low-level carpeting onto the floor and vice versa. Having a thicker carpet will not be a problem from a cleaning perspective but your robots can have problem getting onto it. The point is useful, too, in the sense that the simpler your robot is, the greater the chance there is going that it treats every floor the same way. Again, this is something that is offensive as a consumer of that product because a hardwood floor doesn’t call for the same intensive cleaning that a carpet does. Your job then is to ensure the robot you are going to buy is skilled in adjusting itself to several environments. Watch the disk-shaped device zoom around, reach corners and under furniture, places that the normal vacuum will not have access to, until they come to the edge of the stairs. If they have the cliff sensor, you will be overjoyed to see them turn around at the point than stumble over. Others may have a bumper that can detect and absorb their collisions.
Maintenance One should be on their guard always before making an investment. With that sort of an ‘excuse’ ready, you can always read the warranty and service labels off the home appliances to compare. The warranty certification is valuable not only for covering the repair fee but because nothing can tell you more accurately the confidence that individual manufacturers have in their products’ quality. It has to be longer and comprehensive. The straightforward part of maintenance is for you to check for debris that is likely to clog its brushes and empty the bin. Do not expect the material and/or make to be durable because it, unfortunately, also requires that you replace the filter, the brush, and battery as the situation dictates. Given that you are well informed about a source(s) for its replacements parts, I’d say you are on the right track to make sure your unit continues to perform well.
Extra Features For your convenience, you may want a model that is able to provide you a number of these features despite the fact that they may prove to be a little heavy on your pocket.
Running on schedule Comes with a home base as well as the battery charger Allowed to work around virtual walls Having a bracket or wall mount Is not noisy (usually around or below 70 decibels) Is not bulky Working around transition flooring strips Has rotating brushes and strong suction power to collect large debris and pet related dirt
Has side brushes to clean corners and wall edges Has an infrared remote control In addition to this, they are notorious for their microcontroller and memory storage together with the wide range of sensors. The latter will be ultrasonic, acoustic, infrared, gyroscope and accelerometer in nature. The ultrasonic and infrared sensors kind of have the same function to offer: they are used during navigation, which protect them by helping them avoid obstacles. The optical and acoustic ones assist the bot on remaining focused and doing multiple laps to thoroughly clean a dirty area. The last of these gyroscope and accelerometer – manage orientation, position, speed, and acceleration. Some have a UV light to detect contaminated areas which is popular for cat and dog owners. Another feature present is the HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters. These allow the bot to collect submicron particles in its stride similar to air purifiers, which makes it beneficial for children, the elderly, or those who suffer from allergies. And then there’s the laser too that allows the bot to scan the surface it is supposed to clean and plan out it course accordingly. It’s not a good thing to forget that the option of a camera for robotic vacuum cleaners especially when we are talking about scanning. With a camera fixed in there, it can capture images for the owner connected remotely via the internet as well as be used for identifying the people and/or objects that it encounters.
Limitations How can you possibly impress your guests with the cleaner if you have no clue whatsoever about its limitations? Some of them are:
Not fitted to descend or climb up a flight of stairs Not fitted to operate beyond a 30-35 degree usually Their light sensors are not fitted for dark surfaces Not fitted to work on laminates or non-sealed hardwood floors if you have a floor cleaning robot Not fitted to function if there are magazine racks, stools or other furniture in its path Not fitted to clean the dirt bin by itself Not fitted to work around rugs that have fringes
Besides this, if your vacuum has been intended to be cleaners that are more practical by washing floors and mopping them as well, you would need to vacuum the area first.
CLEARING ITS CLEANING PATH While you may be all excited to customize your robotic vacuums in skins that compliment your décor, make you reminiscence about your favorite sports team, or just add a touch of character to your darling, you may mess up its homecoming celebration if you fail to prepare your home to receive your robot. Wait. What does that has to do with factors before buying a robotic vacuum?
It does because you need to know the principles you cannot err on from now on while it takes its daily cleaning stroll. They can be obstacles that can damage it irreparably a) b) c) d)
No small articles like toys, newspapers, strings are to be left on the floor No blind cords or drapery hems should be on the floor No cables are to be left unorganized. When using a model that doesn’t have a sensor, use the boundary markers to prevent it from toppling over. e) When charging for the first time, follow the instructions that have been provided in the manual guidebook. f) When cleaning and caring for your robot, follow the manufacturer’s notes.
Recommended Models Checking out the advantages in performance, design, support and features, you literally adore the little beings that are made to do your dirty work around the home. So which among the many is the “one” for you? You can scour for them yourself or save yourself some real time and read why it is that we recommend the following.
Roomba 600 series The Roomba 600 series (630 – 650 – 660) is one example of how the manufacturers are offering more than one superior product. To list a few, there is a recharge station, a control panel (buttons), spot cleaning, acoustic sensors to detect hard dirt, the standard filter type, AeroVac bin type, and virtual wall to eclipse the less-smart yet venerable 500 series of robots. The scheduling advantage is given to the 650 only in the affordable price range. Plus, you have to admit that the pop of color on its head just adds to its appeal. On the downside, they are designed for a maximum of 1200 square feet and tend to bounce into the legs of your furniture.
Roomba 700 series Following roughly the same dimensions of Roomba models in its disc-like body, the step up iRobot boasts a handsome design. It is able to scoot beneath the high couches and the floor-length curtains to clean. The series (760 – 770 – 780 – 790) has the touchpad control panel in the latter two. There is a scheduling, spot cleaning, and both Dirt Detect and Dirt Detect 2 to sense and take hold of a larger variety of litter. The filter and bin is Dual HEPA and AeroVac Series 2. There is even a full bin indicator with the exception of the 760 model. The 760 and 770 boast virtual walls and remote controls; the 780 virtual lighthouses beside the remote control and the 790 a wireless command center in addition to the virtual lighthouse. Like the 600 series, the virtual wall halo is an optional feature for them too.
However, there are some downsides to owning this model. For one, the 760 Roomba cannot mount rugs .Another is the small dirt cup and its sensors will need to be kept clean as well. Considering how the 770 has managed to garner stellar ratings on Amazon, there is something to be said about its automated cleaning. Weighing around ten pounds, it avoids extra operating time and remains safe in hazardous situations. Nevertheless, its charge declines quickly so there’s no need to be surprised if you see it heading down and taking more trips to its self-charging base in between its cleaning cycle. Unlike the others in this series, the Roomba 780 has been privileged with an extra set of brushes to clean areas that vacuums cannot. It weighs 12 pounds but delivers in cleaning. It has problems with throw rugs and the powerful suction can pull out fibers from your carpet. Additionally it is a tad bit pricier than other models but it more than makes up for it in cleaning.
Roomba 800 series All Roombas are entitled to the iAdapt system that guides them as to the room and the dirt level they have to cover. The newer and improved design which boasts the same quality and cleaning power of the earlier generations, requires less maintenance and offers better suction. Where the ones previously had fought hard (but unsuccessfully) to keep hair – whether human or animal – of all length away from their bristle brush, the AeroForce technology used in this model allows it to suck them right up easily. The improved vacuum, suction, and battery life allows the removal of 50% more debris and space for 60% more dust. Other innovations together with the textured rollers is the Virtual Wall which provides a navigation point that allows this bot to cruise between rooms and the Virtual Halo which ensures it doesn’t enter red zones. It also has a Wireless Command Center and remote control but you will still have to turn it on for an automatic vacuuming of the room. An alternative that allows you not to babysit it would be to select its preset schedule with an activated Spot Clean Mode and let it begin without you. It is able to connect back to its base when it runs low on charge and ‘nag’ you once its HEPA-filtered bin is full. That is not just the manufacturers speaking. If you are still not impressed, schedule a meeting today. The price won’t even probably matter with the easy to use and reliable action, especially if you are vulnerable to allergens, have pets, have different types of floors (hardwood, carpets, laminate, tile) and are particular about getting the dirt from wall edges cleaned.
Neato XV series The Neato robot has been coaxed to work in straight patterns (unlike the much-preferred randomness of the Roomba cleaners) that happen to overlap partially as the SLAM algorithm and the laser range finder map out the room for it complete the task automatically over separate floors and in separate rooms. Categorized as “best at picking up pet hair”, the models in this series are also useful in eliminating allergens and dust. Both their brush, filter and dirt bin are bigger as well. You can either schedule it for daily cleanings or do it manually every time. You will also be delighted with its ability to recharge and return to where the job has been left midway when the battery runs out. The accessories that merit
recognition here are its Battery Pack and the boundary markers both which allow it to work at its full potential. The XV-11 and the XV-21, (which are the same size as any Roomba), are built with a pressure sensitive bumper at their front. The thing about this feature is that, unlike the competitive cleaner, it does not have to suffer as much from impact and is used as a last resort if the laser scanner collaborating with the internal smarts fails. The XV-21 is of course an upgrade in filters and brush design etc for the XV-11 while the rest remains pretty much the same. The cleaning bin is secure when fitted in, easy to pop out, clear and supported with a paper filter. An LCD projects an assortment of control options. The magnetic strips do a remarkable job of corralling the bot but keeping it in place is another problem. They offer a comprehensive and precise sweep in less time but the loud niose and its inability to navigate tight corners works against it. The XV-21 is a bit slow compared to the cleaning prowess of a vacuum but it does manage to hunt down dust piles and pet hair tumbleweeds on all types of surfaces. Another gadget on line is the Signature Pro. It has a laser-guided system for navigation and glides forth in neat lines while going around obstacles instead of hitting them. It is typically used to clean low pile rugs or hard surface flooring but it still has difficulty cleaning deep carpeting. There’s no remote control so any desired settings have to be managed manually, which, incidentally, can be a problem if you need to change them while it is cleaning. Secondly, if you want to cover more than 6 feet of space with the boundary marker, you’d have to purchase the expensive ones which of course would need to be removed after. You can always return it within a year if you are not satisfied.
Neato BotVac series The BotVac series (70e, 75, 80, and 85) have obviously kept up with the differences in finishes. The brushrolls have been borrowed from the XV models but are comparatively supersized. That being said, they can cover more ground (i.e. 10mm from the wall). Likewise, the dustbin is also larger so you don’t have to clean it that often. While you may appreciate the repackaging of the XV, it is hard to accept the higher price range. Vacuum lovers around the world need to tune in to the new robot cleaner in town that BotVac 70e is supposed to be. Built as the most general in the arsenal to cater to almost all home environments and floorings, it’s like the least expensive product seeking to replace the Neato XV and iRobot Roomba line. It is sleeker in appearance, durable, is a more effective cleaner and has the same laser scanning technology built in. Interestingly, side brushes have also been added that sweep up traces of dirt that have been left behind. The technology that the Botvac 80 boasts receives a touch of sophistication with its mapping system. You should get it if you have pets since it has the ability to suck up the finest of pet hair from any type of flooring in your home, one that many others would struggle at. What is more, it’s unusually quiet so neither you nor your kids or spouse would be disturbed! You can have a schedule, you can have precision, and you can have the entire home cleaned in one day! However, the side brushes may stop working sometimes due to the mapping system and you will be left with a little mess.
Setting up the competitive BotVac 85 is easy. It has quite a small display screen for alerts and scheduling. Plus it can take several seconds to scan the area prior to cleaning and is a tiny bit slower than the Roomba.
iClebo Arte For most people, it is a somewhat unpopular brand. They do, however, claim to clean up to 94% more than what other robots can hope to or manage to do. To take out the cons first, it is expensive, is prone to get stuck around the legs of furniture, and has trouble to find the base when working large areas. If you are not using the remote control, you will need to pick it up with your bare hands since there is no handle. There are no virtual walls, the magnetic strip included is only practical for small areas such as a single doorway and you can be disappointed from the maintenance perspective seeing as it requires a lot of care on the user’s part. On the positive side, it is not very noisy, has two side brushes, a mop feature, a systematic cleaning pattern, ability to go over obstacles of about 20mm in height, and HEPA filtration. It cleans more on a single charge. Its small size and slim, hexagonal-faced, disk shaped cleaner cooperating with the automatic height adjustment allows it to go under most furnishings. With about 15 sensors and a camera installed to screen the movements of objects around it and the triple CPUS that analyze its efficiency, the space, and its time management, the robot woos more consumers than others. The controls are simple for whichever mode (Spot, Max, climb, Navigation, Random, Wet Mop) you are trying them for. The four-digit display also represents different times each for the moment when it is idle, start time when setting it up, and cleaning time when operating and when it’s done. When something is wrong, the digits would display the error code for the user. However it tends to skip spaces at times, misses large particles, and may avoid going behind floor-length curtains. Its one-year warranty may prove to be troublesome for users since there are no customer service representatives in the US.
LG HomBot 3.0 Another state-of-the-art product satisfying your needs of quality advantage and experimentation is the HOM-Bot 3.0. A vast improvement from what’s in the market and intended to one-up the Roomba design, the robot has a square design which allows it to slide right against edges as well as a vigorous motor. The user has terrific control. The remote is comparatively simple and small. The camera features within its radar system, offer reliable performance via the plethora of modes (Zig-Zag, Cell by Cell, Repeat, Turbo, My Space). The bot actually acknowledges its cleaning mode before displaying it as an icon on the machine. So, it is not unconvincing at all that that it will have a little victory song once it finishes, which, if you don’t like, can be put on mute too. Its HEPA filter-equipped bin need not be jerked out of the machine while the cliff sensors work well. A six-month limited warranty on the LiPB battery and a two-year limited one for the body is offered to all consumers to steer towards the Hom-Bot.
Infinuvo These are configured to not only sweep, but also to sanitize and deodorize the floors. However, it cannot handle pet hair at all. It is not smart like the Roombas, Neatos, and LG Hom-Bot. Yet, it is able to secure the highest points in its basic cleaning performance, particularly on hard surfaces. It is budget friendly but its brush heads wear down quickly. That said, the features have a remote control, a virtual wall generator, auto cleaning, spot cleaning or mopping mode, and a “Full Charge & Go” function. To overcome the shortcoming of a program to map out its movements, the Infinuvo doesn’t stop until you force it or the battery runs down. There is also an error code to indicate abnormalities. Not unlike the Neato or Roomba, it comes with a one-year limited warranty.
CONCLUSION Every robotic vacuum has something special, something to set it apart from the competition. In the end, you get to decide what features matter the most, whether you want a more active role or a passive one in vacuuming your residence decently.
