Robot vacuums are automated cleaning machines that clean our homes without human assistance. A robot vacuum can be remote-controlled or set to self-drive, depending on the type and tier of Roomba. Are you late for work or simply too pressed to handle the morning chores of cleaning, set your Roomba to clean, and come back home to a sparkling environment? But how do Robot Vacuums work? Keep reading to find out.
Robot vacuums work by mapping out the areas that need cleaning in your home. These automated cleaning devices can be operated from anywhere in the world through an application via WiFi. You can also see the visible buttons on the unit. Robot vacuums are also equipped with several sensors that help them navigate the area that require cleaning, and to prevent damage to the unit. Robotic vacuum are more expensive than their traditional counterparts but require less maintenance and may also last longer, depending on usage.
Newer Robot vacuums are equipped to empty themselves. I.e, self dispose of their trash-bag when full. You can use the voice command to direct your Robot vacuum to clean selected areas of your home. “Clean the bedroom” and your Roomba slides into your room to make it clean.
Are you expecting a guest, then send commands to your Robot vacuum via your smartphone remotely. Modern robot vacuums are equipped to activate and start cleaning, without human presence. You can also schedule your cleaning and never have to worry about manual cleaning again.
How robots vacuums clean your home
Ever wondered how a robot vacuum cleaner can efficiently clean, without human supervision? Keep reading to find out.
Robot Vacuum cleaners are fitted with sensors and spinning and rolling brushes for navigating and the removal of dirt and debris from surfaces. These tools complete the cleaning process by facilitating the sucking of dirt into the waste bin of the robot vacuum cleaner. Simple and efficient.
But how do Robot Vacuum navigate the world around them? Unlike manual vacuums, Roombas are equipped with several sensors that help them see the world differently.
These sensors help the vacuum to navigate throughout your home and other indoor spaces that require cleaning. These sensors include wall sensors, cliff sensors, optical encoders, dust scanners, and bump sensors.
To help you better manage and utilize your robot vacuum cleaner, it’s imperative to understand how these individual sensors work.
Optical encoders, like the name suggests, measures the distance your robotic vacuum cleaner has covered. Since Roombas are programmed to clean a specific area, they mustn’t go beyond that area. Optical encoders help your vacuum cleaner stay within the programmed area. Always look for advanced Roombas with optical encoders.
Wall sensors are strictly for navigation, to help the vacuum follow the wall or the impending object in front rather than running into it. Wall sensors help to improve the efficiency of cleaning since most dirt and debris rest on the base of walls or other obstacles.
However, a robotic vacuum may still bump into objects and that’s where the bump sensors are activated. Instead of repeatedly bumping into objects and obstacles, the bump sensors alert the vacuum, thereby sending it on another path.
The cliff sensor prevents the robot vacuum from falling off high places, thereby preventing damage. Not only does it clean, but it also protects itself.
Advanced Robot vacuums use artificial intelligence to navigate the world, spot dirty zones, and switch between turbo modes. For example, newer robot vacuums can clean wet surfaces, an impossible feat for most indoor manual vacuums.
Benefits of Having a Robot Vacuum
Hands-free
Clean your home while completing other chores simultaneously. Since Robot vacuums don’t need manual operation, homeowners can vacuum their outdoors, or prepare for the day ahead while their robot vacuums take care of indoor cleaning.
The integrated sensors and corresponding technologies help it to navigate autonomously without human contact. Even when at home, users can simply operate their robotic vacuum with their smartphones and other compatible devices.
Advanced robot vacuums will also charge automatically, by retreating to their dock once their battery goes low. Completely automated and efficient, your robot vacuum will locate and clean those dirty spots in your home adequately.
Ease of use
Unlike manual vacuums, robot vacuums are very easy to use. Program it, set boundaries, and timers, and leave it to work. Unlike most automated devices, robot vacuums don’t need any form of supervision. Just position your vacuum on the floor and it’ll clean the entire area.
Improved units now have better performance. And with the inclusion of more sensors and encoders, robot vacuums are equipped to pick up heavier dirt and debris.
Low maintenance
The major setback for manual vacuums is their high maintenance. Waste bag disposal and the constant need to repair and maintain the many parts of the vacuum cleaner are not a thing with robot vacuums. The materials used in manufacturing robot vacuum cleaners are strong and long-lasting, and rarely get damaged.
However, to ensure that your robot vacuum cleaner reaches its lifespan, always remove obstacles and clutter that are in its cleaning path.
Wireless Connectivity
Program and control your robotic vacuum wirelessly via WiFi with your smartphone and other supported devices. Unlike limited Bluetooth, Wifi allows homeowners to use their robotic vacuum from anywhere in the world.
Cleans Tight spaces
Manual and big vacuum cleaners cannot reach those tight spaces in your home. However, you need to clean every inch of your home to keep it clean. With robotic vacuums, you no longer have to worry about dirt and debris in those tight spaces. The small and compact size of the robot vacuum cleaner allows it to enter those tight corners and take care of the dirt.
Virtual Boundaries
A major setback of autonomous devices is their inability to operate within a limited area. However, robotic vacuums have sensors that allow them to operate within a specified area, and keep them from falling off surfaces. This prevents your vacuum cleaner from going outside, or entering dangerous areas, or damaging other things in your home.
Limitations of a Robot Vacuum
Expensive
Robotic vacuums are expensive. You can get cheap upright vacuum cleaners for less than $100, however, if you want an improved robot vacuum cleaner, you’ll need to spend over $200, with some brands costing up to $800. Newer units will cost more than $1000. While the high cost may not be a problem for most households, the inability of robotic vacuums to operate without traditional vacuums makes it luxurious.
Frequent Emptying
Robotic vacuums have small dust canisters, meaning they can’t hold plenty of waste at a time. Unlike regular vacuum cleaners, you cannot attach a waste bag to augment the canister of a robot vacuum.
You’ll have to empty your canister every day to have space for more dust. This defeats the automated feature of robotic vacuums since efficiency reduces whenever the canister is full.
Time-consuming
Robotic vacuums are small, therefore, can only clean a limited expanse at a time. While it’ll take an insignificant amount of time to clean a tight corner, it may take hours to finish a larger area. This, combined with the limited power of robot vacuum cleaners, makes it even more time-consuming.
May require pre-cleaning or post-cleaning
Older versions of robotic vacuum cleaners still need a pre-clean to remove tougher dirt that robot vacuums cannot remove.
May get stuck
Because of the shape of robotic vacuums, they may get stuck under furniture and tight corners. Robotic vacuums are also not efficient for cleaning stairs and cars.
Robot vacuums are constantly being improved to enhance cleaning efficiency. Busy Homeowners buy robot vacuums to clean their homes autonomously, while they go about their busy schedules. Although there are a couple of setbacks, robot vacuum manufacturers are adding necessary sensors to facilitate its autonomous function.