A robotic vacuum cleaner, often called a robovac, is an autonomous robotic vacuum cleaner that has intelligent programming and a limited vacuum cleaning system. The original design included manual operation via remote control and a "self-drive" mode which allowed the machine to clean autonomously without human control. Some designs use spinning brushes to reach tight corners. Others combine a number of cleaning features (mopping, UV sterilization, etc.) simultaneous to vacuuming, thus rendering the machine into more than just a robot "vacuum" cleaner.
History
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Robotic Vacuum Cleaners have been around since 1996 made by Electrolux. They're used for cleaning, while some have spinning brushes, mopping, UV sterilization, or even Security Cameras. At first, the vacuum cleaner worked well but it had problems with colliding with objects and it stopped a short distance from walls and other objects. It also left small areas that were not cleaned. This caused a discontinuation of the product. However, in 2002 iRobot, an American advanced technology company, launched the Roomba. The Roomba can change direction when it encounters an obstacle, detect dirty spots on the floor, and can detect steep drops which keeps it from falling down the stairs. It became popular very fast, which then caused other companies to return the idea of a robotic vacuum cleaner. An advantage using a Robotic Vacuum Cleaner is how quiet it is compared to regular vacuum cleaners. Also, they are move convenient to use due to the fact it can vacuum on its own. Not to mention the size difference, the robotic vacuum can be kept under beds, desks, closets; as to a regular vacuum cleaner requires a large amount of space. With all positives, negatives follow. One down fall to the robotic vacuum cleaner is that it takes a longer amount of time to vacuum an area due to how small it is. They tend to also be a pricey investment starting at $50.00 all the way to $1,800.00.
The first robot cleaner to be put into production was Electrolux Trilobite by the Swedish household and professional appliances manufacturer, Electrolux. Electrolux was successful in purchasing the model from its inventor, James Dizon. In 1996, one of Electrolux's first versions of the Trilobite vacuum was featured on the BBC's science program, Tomorrow's World.
In 2001, the British technology company Dyson built and demonstrated a robot vacuum known as the DC06. However, due to its high price, it was never released to the market.
In 2002, the American advanced technology company, iRobot launched the Roomba floor vacuuming robot. IRobot was founded in 1990 by three roboticist name Colin Angle, Helen Greiner, and Rodney Brooks. The company was originally dedicated to making robots for military and domestic use. The Roomba wasn’t the first robot vacuum, but it was the most successful. Selling up to a million units in 2004. 2005 IRobot created the scooba it’s the opposite of the Roomba it mops. Something that hasn’t been created before. IRobot wasn’t done their a year later in 2006 they released the dirt dog it cleaned up debris. The company wanted to make doing chores as simple as possible.
Initially, iRobot decided to produce 15,000 units and 10,000 more units depending on the success of the launch. The Roomba immediately became a huge consumer sensation. By the Christmas season, iRobot produced 50,000 units to meet the holiday demand. After this success, major specialty retailers, as well as more than 4,000 outlets such as Target, Kohl's and Linens 'n Things, began to carry the Roomba.
Since 2002, new variations of robotic vacuum cleaners have appeared in the market. For example, the Canadian bObsweep robotic vacuum that both mops and vacuums, or the Neato Robotics XV-11 robotic vacuum, which uses laser-vision rather than the traditional ultrasound based models.
In 2014, Dyson announced the release of its new robotic vacuum called Dyson 360 Eye, equipped with a 360-degree camera that is mounted on the top of the robot vacuum cleaner and is supposed to provide a better navigation than other brands. The robot vacuum was scheduled for a Japan-only release in spring 2015 with international launches to follow later in the year. Moreover, Dyson announced that the 360 Eye has twice the suction of any other robot vacuum. Dyson is leading the robotic vacuum market towards the goals of achieving a reliable and capable unit. The company is investing robotics and AI to produce better robot vacuum cleaners in the coming years. It has initiated the establishment of a new campus in the UK which will require a workforce of around 7000 and an investment of £330 million to create a wider research facility in Singapore focusing on “connected technology and intelligent machines.â€
As of 2016 20% of vacuum cleaners are robots.
As of 2017 23% of vacuum cleaners are robots.
Models
iRobot: Mopping
The iRobot first premiered with the self-mopping robot, Scooba, in 2005. The robot was made to be a self-regulating mop. The Scooba would go through many different changes through the years.Including the Scooba 450, released in 2014. In 2016 iRobot discontinued the Scooba line in favor of Braava. Braava has a implemented wall charger, it has no sensors and uses cotton swabs to clean instead or brushes. In 2018 the Braava Jet 240 received its own app. Braava sales has risen 65-percent since 2016.
Braava 390T
Braava 390T is a high end model of the late stages of the iRobot. The Braava 390T has the ability to do two options which are, mop and sweep. The device has the efficiency to hold a battery life of up to around 4 hours. iRobot Braava 390T uses an innovative technology called “North Star navigationâ€. The North Star in this context is a special high tech cube. The cube gives a signal which iRobot uses to position itself in the room. It will know where exactly in the room it is and which part of the floor it has mopped or swept. The manufacturer described it as a GPS system for home robots, which is a great analogy.
See also
- Domestic robots
- List of vacuum cleaners
- Mobile robot
- Robotic mapping
- Wireless sensor network
- Comparison of domestic robots
References
External links
- Info, History and Reviews of Robotic Vacuums, retrieved 2015-02-20Â .
