Robotic vacuum cleaner explained

A robotic vacuum cleaner, sometimes called a robovac or a roomba as a generic trademark, is an autonomous robotic vacuum cleaner which has a limited vacuum floor cleaning system combined with sensors and robotic drives with programmable controllers and cleaning routines. Early designs included manual operation via remote control and a "self-drive" mode which allowed the machine to clean autonomously.[1]

Marketing materials for robotic vacuums frequently cite low noise, ease of use, and autonomous cleaning as main advantages. The perception that these devices are set-and-forget solutions is widespread but not always correct. Robotic vacuums are usually smaller than traditional upright vacuums, and weigh significantly less than even the lightest canister models. However, a downside to a robotic vacuum cleaner is that it takes an extended amount of time to vacuum an area due to its size. They are also relatively expensive,[2] and replacement parts and batteries can contribute significantly to their operating cost.

History

In 1956, the American science fiction author Robert A. Heinlein described the concept of a robotic vacuum cleaner with a recharging dock in his novel The Door into Summer: "Basically it was just a better vacuum cleaner .... It went quietly looking for dirt all day long, in search curves that could miss nothing .... Around dinner time it would go to its stall and soak up a quick charge."[3] The following year engineer Donald Moore filed a patent for robotic appliances, including a sweeper, that could follow a track laid below the floor. Whirlpool demonstrated the concept at the 1959 American National Exhibition but did not bring it to market.[4]

In 1969 on 2 April an episode of The Avengers was broadcast in which the character Inge Tilson played by Dora Reisser says "...I saw a demonstration once. A robot vacuum cleaner. It swept around the house, went back into its cupboard, automatically plugged in and recharged itself...". The teleplay for this episode which was entitled "Thingumajig" was written by Terry Nation. It was episode 27 of Season 7.[5]

In 1985, Tomy released the Dustbot as a part of their Omnibot line of toys. Dustbot was the first robot to feature a built in vacuum, and was able to turn when it sensed an edge or ran into something. Dustbot would carry a mini broom and dustpan for decoration.[6] [7] [8]

In 1990, three roboticists, Colin Angle, Helen Greiner, and Rodney Brooks, founded iRobot.[9] It was originally dedicated to making robots for military and domestic use. It launched the Roomba in 2002, which was able to change direction when it encountered an obstacle, detect dirty spots on the floor, and identify steep drops to keep it from falling down stairs. The Roomba proved to be the first commercially successful robot vacuum.[10] In 2005, iRobot introduced the Scooba, which scrubbed hard floors.

In 1996, Electrolux introduced the first robotic vacuum cleaner, the Electrolux Trilobite.[11] It worked well but had frequent problems with colliding with objects and stopping short of walls and other objects, as well as leaving small areas not cleaned. As a result, it failed in the market and was discontinued. In 1997, one of Electrolux's first versions of the Trilobite vacuum was featured on the BBC's science program, Tomorrow's World.[12]

In 2001, Dyson built and demonstrated a robot vacuum known as the DC06. However, due to its high price, it was never released to the market.[13] Electrolux released the Trilobite robotic vacuum cleaner. The Robotic vacuum cleaner launched at a price of $1,800.00. There were two models: the ZA1 and the ZA2.

In 2010, the Neato Robotics XV-11 robotic vacuum introduced laser-based mapping, allowing navigation in straight lines rather than the traditional random navigation.[14]

In 2015, Dyson and iRobot both introduced camera-based mapping.[15] [16]

In 2016, iRobot CEO claimed that 20% of vacuum cleaners sales worldwide were robots.[17]

As of 2018, obstacles such as dog feces, cables and shoes remain very difficult for robots to navigate around.[18] [19]

In 2022, ECOVACS launched DEEBOT-X1 Family featuring YIKO[20] Voice Assistant, which was the industry's first natural language for home robots with Al voice interaction and control technologies.[21] [22] [23]

Main features

Cleaning modes

Robotic vacuums have different types of cleaning modes, usually including the following:[24]

Wet mopping

Some models can also mop for wet cleaning, autonomously vacuuming and wet-mopping a floor in one pass (sweep and mop combo).

The mop is either manually wet before attachment to the bottom of the robot or the robot may be able to automatically spray water on to the floor before running over it.

Some advanced robot vacuum cleaners have a sensor that detects and avoids mopping in carpeted areas. However, if there is no sensor, most of the robot vacuum cleaner manufacturers add a no-mop zone feature in the app to make robot vacuums to avoid certain areas to clean. These robot vacuums are also capable to mop about 150m2 in one go.

A robot mop can tackle multiple surfaces and comes with a variety of different cleaning modes, providing options for sweeping, vacuuming and mopping damp or wet floors. Robot mops score better on hard surfaces and are ideally suited for hardwood, laminate and tile flooring types.

Mapping

See also: Simultaneous localization and mapping. The first robovacs used random navigation. This sometimes caused the unit to miss spots when cleaning or be unable to locate its base station to recharge, and did not provide the user a history of which spaces were cleaned.

More sophisticated models include mapping ability. The unit can use gyro-, camera-, radar-, and laser- (laser distance sensor or LDS) guided systems to create a floor plan, which can be permanently stored for more efficiency, and updated with information on areas which have been (or have not been) cleaned. Thus, the cleaning efficiency is greatly improved and the repetition rate is reduced significantly.

Models with a multiple floor plan feature can store several floor plans.

Others

Anti-drop: Most robots include anti-drop and anti-bump IR sensors.
  • Anti-winding: When approaching obstacles, the robot vacuum cleaner will automatically turn away.
  • Anti-tangle: Prevents the robot vacuum cleaner from becoming tangled in cables.
  • Virtual no-go lines: Virtual no-go lines set boundaries to restrict the unit's movements to desired cleaning areas.
  • Quick recharge: Most robot vacuums come with a lithium-ion battery of around 2000 mAh that will last long enough to handle approximately 200m2 of floor space (about 100 minutes). Regular charge time is five to six hours. Quick recharge allows the unit to calculate the shortest way to recharge (shortcut path) and charge only as much as needed, so it finishes more quickly (automatic cleaning resumption).
  • Schedule: Scheduled daily cleaning. All-Timetable means a full week of different daily schedules can be programmed.
  • Connected app: Some models allow control of the unit using an app over a WiFi connection from the user's smartphone or connected home automation device, e.g. Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant.
  • Software upgrades: Some units are able to receive over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates.
  • HEPA filters: HEPA air filters are industry-standard now for robot vacuum cleaners. These remove dust and pollen from the air.
  • Video camera, speakers, microphone: Some units can be used to record and monitor their surroundings as a mobile, internet connected security camera. Make voice or video calls, act as alarms and have voice command functionality.
  • Self cleaning: Some units have dustbin self emptying via another vacuum in the charging station. Mop self wash, scrub, auto clean water refill and dirty water sucked into grey water tank. No user interaction needed for weeks or months at a time.
  • Names: some units can be named and will respond to said name.

    • List of robotic vacuum cleaners

    Open-source designs

    These are open-source designs that can be built using off-the-shelf components and 3D printed parts.

    See also

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: ilumpruj. 2018-06-24. The History of Robot Vacuum Cleaner. 2021-05-12. en-US. 2021-05-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20210512060042/https://iamarey.com/blogs/industry-report/the-history-of-robot-vacuum-cleaner/. dead.
    2. Web site: How Robotic Vacuums Work. How Stuff Works. 3 November 2005 . 2018-03-05.
    3. Book: Heinlein . Robert A . The Door into Summer . 1957 . Signet . New York . 20–21.
    4. Web site: Novak. Matt. This American Expo Invaded Russia With Shiny New Tech in 1959. Paleofuture. July 24, 2014. 2023-11-23.
    5. Web site: The Avengers Thingumajig (TV Episode 1969). .
    6. Web site: The Old Robots Dustbot.
    7. Web site: 1985 Tomy Dustbot Japanese. 30 August 2013 .
    8. Web site: Dustbot Robot.
    9. Web site: the history of the roomba.
    10. Web site: Why are iRobot's new Roombas so damn expensive?. Bennett. Brian. CNET. en. 2020-05-17.
    11. Web site: Invention of Robotic Vacuum Cleaners. Vacuum Cleaner History. 2018-03-05.
    12. News: BBC NEWS - Technology - Robot cleaner hits the shops. 16 May 2003 .
    13. Web site: Dyson Wants to Build a Robot Vacuum that Can See. Lance. Ulanoff. . 13 February 2014 .
    14. Web site: Neato XV-11 robotic vacuum review. August 24, 2010. Engadget. en. 2020-05-17.
    15. Web site: Deluxe brand Dyson creates its first robot vacuum, the 360 Eye. 2014-09-04. 2015-09-26.
    16. Web site: iRobot Brings Visual Mapping and Navigation to the Roomba 980. 16 Sep 2015. IEEE Spectrum: Technology, Engineering, and Science News. en. 2020-05-17.
    17. Web site: iRobot says 20 percent of the world's vacuums are now robots. TechCrunch. 7 November 2016. en-US. 2020-05-17. 2020-12-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20201215191803/https://social.techcrunch.com/2016/11/07/irobot-says-20-percent-of-the-worlds-vacuums-are-now-robots/. live.
    18. News: Solon. Olivia. 2016-08-15. Roomba creator responds to reports of 'poopocalypse': 'We see this a lot'. en-GB. The Guardian. 2020-05-17. 0261-3077.
    19. Web site: Bryan Heater. PerceptIn has raised $11 million to help robotic vacuums and self-driving cars see. TechCrunch. 2018-05-25. 2017-12-06.
    20. Web site: DEEBOT X1 Family New Arrival All in One Vacuum and Mop . 2022-11-25 . ECOVACS US . en.
    21. Web site: ECOVACS Launches The DEEBOT X1 Range Of Robot Vacuums & Mops In Australia . 21 April 2022 .
    22. ECOVACS . WELCOME TO THE HANDS-FREE FUTURE: ECOVACS' NEW FLAGSHIP PRODUCT, THE DEEBOT X1 OMNI, IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE . 2022-11-18 . www.prnewswire.com . en.
    23. Web site: DEEBOT X1 Family New Arrival All in One Vacuum and Mop . 2022-11-18 . ECOVACS US . en.
    24. Web site: Jones . Andy . 10 best robot vacuum cleaners – how to pick between Dyson and Eureka . inews.co.uk . 17 July 2019 . 27 October 2020.
    25. Web site: Amazon.com - Neato XV-11 All Floor Robotic Vacuum System - Household Robotic Vacuums. 2021-05-12. www.amazon.com.
    26. Web site: Neato XV-11 review 22 facts and highlights. 2021-05-12. VERSUS. en.
    27. https://www.sharkclean.com/vacuums/robot-vacuums/ SharkNinja - Robot Vacuums
    28. https://www.hackster.io/news/you-can-build-this-open-source-robotic-vacuum-cleaner-43f223900712 Hackster.io - You Can Build This Open Source Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
    29. https://www.instructables.com/Build-Your-Own-Vacuum-Robot/ Instructables.com - Build your own vacuum robot
    30. https://github.com/cesnietor/VacuumRobot GitHub.com Cesnietor

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