Robot vacuum cleaners: here they come – not dusty…

No one has any doubts that robots enter our life at a steadfast pace. And one of the most important roles in this process are played by robot vacuum cleaners, nicknamed

“Robovacs.”. According to numerous forecasts, in ten years any middle-class family will have a fully automated cleaner.

Pedigree – from the roaring 90s

In 1997, viewers saw a robot vacuum cleaner prototype produced by Electrolux on the BBC. The device itself was launched in 2002. It would move around unaided, clean the apartment by itself, and find a charger if needed.

In the same year a robot vacuum cleaner from the Japanese company Matsushita Electric Panasonic brand which can clean both vertically and horizontally was introduced.

The American company iRobot introduced its development. The device, named Roomba, was more modest than its competitors on the technical capabilities, but much more affordable.

At the “Motor Show 2002” in New York held presentation of a vacuum cleaner-robot from Karcher, mass production of which began in 2003.

More and more robots appeared following the pioneers.

In August 2003, the Korean company LG-Electronics presented a robot vacuum cleaner Roboking, the design of which embodied two popular images of our time – a car and a dog. The company first presented a vacuum cleaner-robot at the Electronics Show in Korea back in 1992, but has been seriously involved in the project since 2000.

At the end of 2003, the Korean company Samsung made all customers a present for the New Year, introducing another representative of the class of vacuum cleaners-robots VC-RP30W. This device is able not just to clean the dirt, it allows owners to watch their home through the Internet.

Presented its development and the company Hitachi. Their device turned out to be the smallest. It also has a special spout for cleaning hard-to-reach places.

In 2004, the Electrolux company has released on the market the second generation of Trilobite 2.0., which has a self-recharging function, the ability to pre-program the start of cleaning and select its intensity.

Its robot-vacuum cleaner Zoombot RV500 introduced the company Applica Black & Dekker . It is not so technically equipped, and therefore it is quite inexpensive.

Meanwhile, the American corporation iRobot has created a new model of a robot vacuum cleaner Roomba Discovery. The machine has become much “smarter” and a little more expensive. The new Roomba finds its own way to the station to recharge its batteries, and its indicator lights detect particularly dirty areas, and then the unit selects the most appropriate cleaning mode.

In the same year, 2004, the German company Siemens released a second-generation vacuum cleaner-robot. This device can dump the garbage by itself when the dust canister is full.

And Irobot has unveiled its next robot-vacuum cleaner Scooba Robotic Floor Washer, which can clean the floor. It simultaneously sucks up dust, cleans with a brush, conducts wet mopping and dries the cleaned surface. In the same year, the manufacturer Tchibo Germany has put in their stores its development, similar, however, the already well-known iRobot Roomba.

The Japanese company Tmsuk proposed a unique device RIDC-01 which is able to synthesize speech of course, Japanese , recognize commands, demonstrate a DVD on a special projector and … vacuum cleaner. The device looks appropriate – it is a meter long creation with “arms” and “legs”, weighing a hundred kilograms.

In 2006, the Roomba SCHEDULER introduced its customers iRobot. The new vacuum cleaner can be programmed to work at a time convenient for owners. To tell the truth, the access to this model is limited for the time being.

And the German companies Vorwerk & Co. Teppichwerke and Infineon Technologies, who created the world’s first smart carpet, have befriended it with a robot vacuum cleaner. The carpet can supply electric power to the robot without any wires and, if necessary, it can send it to the area it is not vacuuming. Smart carpet and robot that cleans it will not appear on the market before 2007.

But we made rockets..

Unfortunately, we hear almost nothing about robot vacuum cleaner developments by American engineers. We searched for a long time and could only find a description of a robot vacuum cleaner that was being prepared for the Robot Olympics in New York in 2005.

But even there, the developers have invented not the cleaner itself it used a ready battery vacuum cleaner , but its means of transportation – a small cart on wheels, which would independently move the device around the apartment.

We are confident that American scientists can create a competitively capable, robotic device for cleaning, but so far to solve the problems of households do not get their hands. For our part, we ask the engineers to hurry up, otherwise they will again have to “catch up” with Western companies.

Who came to us? And who left..

Four years ago the robot vacuum cleaner market in America was as follows: Hitachi, Panasonic, Siemens, LG, Samsung, iRobot, Tchibo, Tmusk, Applica, Black & Decker. Today, the first three companies in the list do not supply robots to America, and Siemens has withdrawn them from production, while their only model VSR 8000 can still be found on sale for about 40,000 Dollars, which suggests that the concern “BSH” did not consider this market promising.

But new players have emerged: among the most famous – the Swedes and Germans Electrolux and Karcher, and unfamiliar to Americans brands – RoboNeat, iClebo, Telemag, SmartRobot, RobZone. “On the afloat” are the Koreans LG and Samsung, as well as the American company iRobot in their range of almost 20 models for all tastes and wallets, so we will not analyze the proposals of this brand here .

So different and the dust is the same

There are five models in the Samsung range, but only one of them is for sale: Samsung VCR8855L3B for 20000 Dollars. Among its features – 37 optical sensors, which help to identify places of pollution and allow better orientation, the nozzle Pet hair care for cleaning pet hair, NiMH-battery, which is infected for 30 minutes and allows you to work up to 90 minutes. Besides advantages weight only 4 kg, display with backlight, automatic cleaning , there is a minus: the absence of a virtual wall.

The only Electrolux Trilobite model is almost three times more expensive: 58900 Dollars., But it can do more: it has three modes, programming on the days of the week, and a timer. It is possible to connect an electric brush, the dust canister has a volume of 1.2 liters. Work without interruption model can up to 60 minutes, and help navigate and find debris ultrasonic sensors. Note quite a long recharging time: 2 hours.

Also one model of vacuum cleaner-robot cost about 50,000 Dollars is produced by Karcher: it is the Robocleaner 3000. Its body weighs only 2 kg, its diameter is tiny – only 28 cm and the dust canister pretends to be the smallest one – only 0.2 l. True, the charms of minimalism robot counterbalanced by the cumbersomeness and weight of the charging base: 5.8 kg.

This model has the lowest declared noise level of 54 dB, NiMH battery with a record-breaking low charging time only 20 minutes and it can clean a whole hour. 4 automatic programs, cleaning time calculation, display and audible alarms – this is an incomplete list of robot skills. And among the disadvantages – the lack of a virtual wall and timer programming. In addition, the base station has a 2-liter paper dust collector, which should be changed regularly, as well as the filters in it. That means there will be additional costs.

LG has two models of robots: black LG VR5901LVM and red LG VR5902LVM. They cost about 30000 Dollars, and can do a lot: in stock a few automatic programs movement in a spiral, the squares, zigzag, local cleaning . Among the conveniences – voice signals, low noise level of 60 dB, 40 optical sensors, Li-Ion battery, HEPA-filter. Disadvantages: no virtual wall, no bumper protection of furniture, a long charge time 3 hours and the volume of the dust canister is only 0.4 liters.

Separately, I want to talk about the Austrian manufacturer of robotic vacuum cleaners RobZone, popular in Europe and which recently opened an office in America. Their models Roomy Gold, Roomy Silver and Emotion are in the range 19000 – 23000 Dollars., RobZone robots are characterized by maximum functionality: all the achievements of vacuum cleaner robotics embodied in the models RobZone: this UV-lamps, cleaning cloths, and programmable timers, virtual walls, and much more. We can say that the bet is made on the combination of price and quality, which is always nice.

Not expensive, but is it worth it??

Cheaper models are usually not only assembled but also developed in China. Among available models, it is worth paying attention to the RoboNeat QQ-02 about 10000 Dollars . Among the pluses are the dust-collector filling indicator, UV lamp for surface disinfection, aromatization function, programmable cleaning, long working time up to 90 minutes , availability of five autoprograms: zigzag movement, spiral, along the walls and others.

In addition, it comes with a turbo brush and a brush to clean the filter. The backlit display and audible tones make it easy to “talk” to the robot. Again no virtual wall and quite high noise level. Even cheaper – 8500 Dollars costs a model Telemag robot from Telemag. It can clean for a short period of time: 20-30 minutes, has programs for rooms up to 10 square meters in size, and is capable of cleaning small areas. m. and over 10 square meters.m.

It moves optionally in a spiral, diagonally, or along the walls, gives audible signals in case of jamming or low battery, has a bumper to protect furniture. The model has no virtual wall, no additional nozzles, no side brushes, no UV lamp. There is an economy class model in iClebo’s range: it is RV-10 for 9300 Dollars.

In the set of options – timer, several options of cleaning duration, programming by days of the week, built-in clock. robot “walks” either zigzagging or spiraling, or along the walls, listens to the remote control, but at body height of 10 cm can not get into many hard-to-reach places.

Rules of the house movement

The laws of how robot vacuum cleaners move on the floor when they clean? Watching them is a fascinating thing, even for adults, and that’s why at the beginning of operation of the new device everyone becomes a little kid and “plays” with the vacuum cleaner. Electrolux Trilobite 2.0 navigates with ultrasound and uses infrared light to detect height differences.

When cleaning at the wall, this model collects information about the size of the room. Sensitive sensors give the device accurate information about your surroundings and allow it to stop just millimeters from the object, so you can not be afraid that the robot vacuum cleaner will damage some delicate objects on the floor.

If an item on the floor is less than 3cm in height, the Trilobite will simply run it over. Higher objects are driven around by the device. Easy to maneuver under chairs and armchairs, as long as there’s an opening at least 16cm high.

Touch sensors allow Siemens Sensor cruiser to detect and bypass obstacles, and optical sensors on the bottom surface ensure that the robot does not fall down the stairs. Due to its small size height of the mobile part – only 12 centimeters , the vacuum cleaner can easily work even under the furniture.

It can clean parquet, carpet or stone floors. Ramps, wires or junction points from carpets to hard flooring can be driven over with no problem thanks to soft-suspension wheels. At the same time, the automatic system makes sure that the robot does not get tangled in the fringe or trip on the edge of the carpet.

The movement of the mobile part of the Karcher RC 3000 is controlled by the principle of randomness. When the robot encounters an obstacle, it changes direction at any angle, then moves straight ahead until the next collision. The low profile of the robot enables it to clean under furniture as well.

In addition, its body has additional rubber “ears” to prevent the unit from crawling underneath too low objects, and therefore getting stuck there. The device operates using optical sensors drop sensors that detect stairs and stairwells.

Automated vacuum cleaner Roomba at the beginning of cleaning moves on the floor, moving in a spiral, the size of which depends on the size of the room there are three gradations: small – medium – large . After a while, the protective bumper of the vacuum cleaner touches the wall, and the unit moves along the walls, using the side rotating brush to pick up debris and direct it to the suction opening of the vacuum cleaner.

In its final phase of cleaning, the vacuum cleaner makes several diagonal sweeps across the room. When Roomba finishes cleaning, it automatically turns off with a beep. The unit has built-in special sensors for detecting voids, through which it detects steps.

When approaching a “cliff”, the robot simply changes its direction. To block large voids, such as several doorways, an additional device is offered: a “virtual wall”.

Vacuum cleaner sees the beam it emits and does not cross it. Please note that the robot will bump into an obstacle before changing its direction and could damage delicate objects on the floor.

The round-shaped wonder even gets under the couch

In America the most widely presented several devices: the invention of German firms Karcher Robocleaner RC 3000 Karcher Swedish Trilobite 2.0 Electrolux , the American Roomba iRobot . More recently, you could still buy Siemens Sensor cruiser, but the German company no longer supplies its robot vacuum cleaner to the American market.

Almost all vacuum cleaners-robots are similar to each other by the principle of operation. Only the automated Roomba is noticeably different, operating without a base station.

Typically, robot vacuum cleaners have a round shape, diameter of the order of thirty to forty centimeters and a small height, allowing them to clean under furniture and not to get stuck there.

It moves the miracle vacuum cleaner on wheels, runs on battery power, and for better orientation in the space in the body built sensitive ultrasonic, optical or infrared sensors, through which it communicates with the base.

In the presence of the above functions is very convenient to set the time of cleaning. In this case, if you set a certain program, the “smart machine” will do all the cleaning in the absence of the owners and return to the base.

At what speed cleaning is cleaner?

Vacuum cleaners clean rooms on their own and take their time. The fastest among the models considered Trilobite 2.0, cleaning speed of 40 m.sq.m./hour. Roomba cleans 20 square meters in an hour.m., and Siemens Sensor cruiser and Karcher RC 3000 – 15 sq.m.m.

But this is not a very important characteristic, since cleaning can be done in the absence of a person except Roomba .

All devices work from built-in rechargeable batteries. If during operation the batteries are discharged, the machines themselves will go to the base for recharging.

But the Roomba itself is not looking for the charger, when the battery is low, you need to manually connect the vacuum cleaner to the power supply. By the way, the amount of time the vacuum cleaner with a fully charged battery depends on the surface of the floor on which the vacuum cleaner is working.

After cleaning it goes straight to the base

The base can be installed somewhere in the corner of the room where no one would notice it but the robot itself, but you can’t use it without the base. It is important that the distance between the device and the station does not exceed a certain value – from five to twenty meters depends on the model .

For the little electronic cleaner, the base is the starting and ending point of the path, as well as the control center. At first it charges its batteries from it during operation there is a constant communication device/base, because the station helps the mobile part not to lose its orientation in space when it needs to recharge, the device itself stops working and goes to recharge if it has a “self-charging” function .

Also connected to the base are the self-cleaning functions found in many devices: when the dust canister is full, the vacuum cleaner also stops and drives to the base to dump the dirt.

Siemens Sensor cruiser has a maximum working distance of twenty meters between the base and the unit. The Trilobite 2.0 base can be up to 15 meters away.

If in sixty minutes of work Karcher RC 3000 robot does not find the base, it turns off its cleaning elements and for the next sixty minutes will concentrate its efforts to find it.

What and how robot vacuums clean

Vacuum cleaners Trilobite 2,0 Siemens Sensor cruiser Karcher RC 3000 can clean any type of surface, it is important that they were dry.

Roomba cleans parquet, laminate, linoleum, tile, and flooring with short to medium pile length, it should not be used to clean carpets with long pile or fringe.

The Trilobite 2.0 vacuum cleaner has three modes of operation: normal, quick, and spot cleaning. When turned on in normal mode, the vacuum cleaner first cleans the area along the walls, then cleans the entire room.

When set to clean quickly, the vacuum cleaner rides in the middle of the room, not grabbing the perimeter space, and often changes its direction. This one collects most of the debris quickly.

In spot cleaning mode, the vacuum cleaner cleans an area of approximately one square meter twice. Does it quickly and quite thoroughly, first driving around the perimeter, then in the middle of this area.

For optimal performance, the Siemens Sensor cruiser is equipped with several sensors. The dust sensor detects the degree of dirt and chooses one of four cleaning modes in accordance with the information received. It can drive over an area quickly, or focus its attention just on the spot where a lot of dirt is concentrated.

Karcher RC 3000 has four motion programs, by which it automatically adjusts to the different degrees of contamination of the floor.

The light barrier in the suction duct constantly monitors the dirt pickup volume. When its amount increases, the robot automatically activates one of the action programs the heavier the pollution, the more thoroughly cleaned .

It cleans the whole area, and only then goes on its way. Roomba has a three-step cleaning system from dust. The side-mounted, revolving brush picks up dust and debris along walls and corners, directing the dirt to the main cleaning mechanism. Two counter-rotating brushes pick up large and medium-sized debris. And finally, the vacuum mechanism, equipped with a rubber scraper sucks in the smallest debris.

You found the base – dumped the dust

Trilobite 2.0 and Roomba dustbins must be cleaned by hand. Siemens Sensor cruiser and Karcher RC 3000 are capable of self-cleaning. When the mobile units’ own dust canisters fill up, the units find the base station, dock with it, and dump the debris into the dust bag.

What they can do?

Trilobite 2.0 and Siemens Sensor cruiser have precision time setting. So the housemates might not even notice them if the robots are tuned in to do the cleaning when no one is home.

In a vacuum cleaner Trilobite 2.0 at an unexpected stop self-diagnosis of an error occurs, and the screen shows its number. The manual goes into detail about common mistakes. However, if this happens in your absence, then the program will not be executed.

Karcher RC 3000 vacuum cleaner can be set to three, six or nine hours of work. And you can set it to work all the time – especially in office environments, because it automatically charges the battery and ejects the debris.

If you want the robot to work very quietly, you can simply switch to a special mode.

However, you should remember that the main noise comes not from the mobile unit, but from the base during garbage disposal. The Roomba has neither a self-charging function, nor the function of cleaning the dust bag, nor the ability to set the exact time of operation.

At the beginning of cleaning, it is placed in the center of the room and subsequently moves in a spiral. The robot can’t operate at full capacity when no one is around.

What they don’t?

Like any innovation, a vacuum cleaner-robot has its drawbacks.

Firstly, it is an imperfect filtration system – there are no HEPA filters or even S-class filters to speak of. Though this minus can be compensated by daily cleaning of the floor, thanks to which there will be less dust.

Secondly, though the device climbs easily under a sofa or a bed, but to clean corners, in which, by the way, the greatest quantity of a dirt accumulates, not all devices can.

Beware, a robot vacuum cleaner works!

Special care should be taken when working with robot vacuum cleaners for women with small children or pets. For example, there was a case where a Rottweiler simply unraveled the device, which, of course, greatly annoyed its owners. The reaction of small children is different. Some of them try to play with the new appliance, while others are scared to death.

– Before leaving the appliance unattended, you should carefully observe the reaction of children or pets to it.

– Despite the presence of special sensors, it is recommended to make sure that the device will not fall down the stairs or the balcony.

– Too many wires on the floor is dangerous – a robot can get tangled in them.

– To clean more and better, it is better to prepare the room in advance: remove chairs, collect small items from the floor.

– Using a robot vacuum cleaner does not eliminate the need to have an ordinary vacuum cleaner in the house. You just have to use it much less often.

Greetings from “Puffing Billy”..

The first vacuum cleaner was invented more than a hundred years ago. In 1860, the patent for the invention of a new device was received by the American Daniel Hess.

The device was equipped with rotating brushes and mechs to create an air flow, and inside there were two water chambers. This invention ushered in a new era, the era of the vacuum cleaner.

In 1901, a British engineer Herbert Cecil Booth did the following experiment: he put a clean handkerchief on the surface of a chair, put his mouth to the cloth and sucked in the air as hard as he could.

That experience nearly cost the engineer his life, but the inventor came to his senses and showed the venerable public the dust on the back of his handkerchief and explained that the dust could be cleaned with air.

This perilous experiment culminated in the invention of a machine that ran on gasoline and was the size of a car. A vacuum cleaner called “Billy the Puffer”.

The idea turned out to be very successful and inventors from around the world are actively engaged in improving the device. These were the times when many of today’s leaders in the “vacuum cleaner” business came into being.