All about Robot Vacuum cleaners
Robot vacuum cleaners, sometimes referred to as robotic vacuum cleaners are the stuff dreams are made of...a vacuum cleaner that does the cleaning of floors all by themselves!.
The idea is that they work on floor surfaces ranging from full long-pile, to mid-pile carpet to hard floors. Domestic robotic vacuum cleaners are all battery operated, and battery life is generally claimed to be around 1-2 hours depending on the manufacturer, before the vacuum returns to base for a recharge which can take 3-12 hours depending on the brand and the on-board battery type. Some of the really smart robot vacuums can navigate their own way back to the recharger.
One of the beauties of a robot vacuum cleaner is they can access hard to reach places simply - now under-bed areas can be cleaned on a regular basis! The other, of course is they do the work by thenselves.
Sizes of robot vacuums
Sizes of robot vacuums varies, but most fall into the 13-15" diameter and are 3-5" high and weigh in at about 7lbs. Given the sizes of these units, their ideal operating space is one room. A large area or a very dustry/dirty floor could see the dust bucket filled up, requiring the robot vac to be emptied mid-room cycle.
How robot vacuums manoeuvre
Most robot vacuums operate with sensors that help bump guide them around a room. Most are not sophisticated enough to sense a wall or table leg before it hits it, but the bump tells the unit to try to follow what they have hit (i.e a wall). If it cannot (it is not a wall) it will head off in a different direction. These are what are called a random spiral navigation technique.
Some, like the Electrolux models have ultrasonic and infrared sensors that prevent the bumping (especially useful if your home has valuable furniture or objects that may topple over) and also have the capacity to map the room. The stopping distance from objects using these sensors is 1". The Irobot Roomba uses bumping and random spiralling to achieve its floor coverage, but this can lead to some areas being covered several times, while other areas remain uncleaned.
If the robotic vacuum drives into a corner, it will be smart enough to know to back up and head off on a different direction. Some brands, like Irobot Roomba, even come with an invisible door so that doors can be left open without the cleaner escaping into another room.
Brands of robot vacuums
There are many brands of Robot vacuum clears available on the market. This is not an exhaustive list
| IRotot Roomba | Wild Electronics RV-9 |
| ELECTROLUX Trilobite | KARCHER RobocleanerRC3000 |
| Stiftung Warentest | Genius Robotic cleaner |
| Eureka's Robo Vac, | Dyson |
Robotic vacuums prices
For a low end robotic vacuum cleaner such as the Roomba, you can expect to pay anything upwards from US$150. High end units cost nearer US$1500.
Factors to consider when buying a robotic vacuum
- Price - lower priced units are non-programmable and are bump and deflects navigation, while higher end products are programmable, do not bump walls
- Battery life and recharge - these vary considerably
- Dust pans - some have indicators showing when full, which prevents dust and dirt being redeposited onto the floor.
- Removable/replaceable brushes - some higher-end units allow brushes to be easily removed for cleaning - an important aspect if long hair may be on the carpet which can jam brushes.
A2ZVAcuums offers a great range of robotic vacuum cleaners.
Buy a Roomba Robitic Vacuum Cleaner
Roomba Red Robot vacuum This standard Roomba Robot vacuum robot cleans hardwood floors and carpets at the touch of a button. The robot cleans under furniture and other hard-to-reach places and has built-in sensors to keep it from falling down stairs. Features Dirt Detect, Stair Avoidance System, Surface Transitioning, and Bagless Debris Bin. Read More
Roomba Scheduler Robotic Vauum The top-of-the-line Roomba vacuuming robot features a built-in scheduling system that adds ultimate convenience. Program up to seven cleaning times to clean automatically as often as you like--even when you're out. Includes filters, brushes, Cleaning Tool and 2 Scheduling Virtual Walls. Features Dirt Detect, Stair Avoidance System, Surface Transitioning, and Bagless Debris Bin. Read More
Roomba Discovery Vacuuming Robot
This robot vacuum cleaner adds greater convenience with a self-charging Home Base and a remote control. Triple cleaning mode, and features three powerful cleaning modes: Clean, Spot and Max. Rapid 3 hrs recharge so you can put the Roomba Discovery Vacuuming Robot back to work fast! Read More
Roomba Sage Robotic Vacuum The perfect choice for a complete entry-level vacuuming robot, enhanced with Maximum Cleaning Mode and an array of accessories. Features Triple cleaning with three powerful cleaning modes: Clean, Spot and Max. Advance Power Supply (APS) Battery - Enables up to 120 minutes of continuous cleaning time. Read More
Robot Vacuum News
27 Aug 2008 - New gadgets for the elderly - International Herald Tribune
New gadgets for the elderly International Herald Tribune, France - iRobot, the company that made a name for itself with its Roomba robot vacuum cleaner, has created the Looj, a robotic cleaner of roof gutters. ... |
27 Aug 2008 - For the Advanced in Age, Easy-to-Use Technology - New York Times
 New York Times | For the Advanced in Age, Easy-to-Use Technology New York Times, United States - AT HOME IRobot (www.irobot.com), the company that made a name for itself with its Roomba robot vacuum cleaner, has created the Looj, a robotic gutter ... |
27 Aug 2008 - A washing machine from the future - CNET News
 CNET News | A washing machine from the future CNET News, CA - Along with my robot vacuum cleaner, and concept Bubble Dishwasher I wrote up the other day, my house would be a welcome haven for all those ... |
14 Aug 2008 - Vac attack too much for this mutt - Tampabay.com
Vac attack too much for this mutt Tampabay.com, FL - Or maybe your human should get that robot vacuum that turns on and runs around by itself when it detects something to suck up. ... |
6 Aug 2008 - Nearly 4 Dozen Items Added to CableOrganizer.com's Industry ... - Market Wire (press release)
Nearly 4 Dozen Items Added to CableOrganizer.com's Industry ... Market Wire (press release) - ... 2008, those consumers who submit a product review on CableOrganizer.com will be automatically entered to win an iRobot Roomba® Robot Vacuum. ... |
1 Aug 2008 - New household robot promises to make virtual visits easy - NetworkWorld.com
New household robot promises to make virtual visits easy NetworkWorld.com, MA - By Kristin Burnham , CIO , 07/31/2008 iRobot-the maker of household robot helpers such as the Roomba (a robot vacuum cleaner), the Verro (a pool-cleaning ... |
1 Aug 2008 - Raw Data Report: Plantronics, Logitech, iGo - Seeking Alpha
Raw Data Report: Plantronics, Logitech, iGo Seeking Alpha, NY - Employees at 84% of the stores interviewed around the country stated that the Roomba was the best robot vacuum cleaner, with 40% selling 1-2 per week. ... |
30 Jul 2008 - Retail Survey Report: - istockAnalyst.com
Retail Survey Report: istockAnalyst.com, OR - Employees at 84% of the stores interviewed around the country stated that the Roomba was the best robot vacuum cleaner, with 40% selling 1-2 per week. ... |
23 Jul 2008 - Robots.Video: Mr. Pitiful's Roomba Song - Robots.net
Robots.Video: Mr. Pitiful's Roomba Song Robots.net, TX - The iRobot Roomba robot vacuum cleaner has grown so popular, it was only a matter of time before it became the subject of a song. ... |