Robotic vacuum cleaners have changed the way we clean our homes and offices. These compact devices can automatically navigate themselves under tables, chairs, beds to pick dust and grime. Robotic vacuum cleaners have existed for a while, and the first working model was patented in 2005. However, these vacuum cleaners never became popular as they were expensive and lacked smart features.
Today’s robotic vacuum cleaners are smarter and more affordable. Most models map home layouts allowing faster cleaning, and they can automatically dump the dust and even return to the charging station to recharge themselves. These futuristic devices require minimal human intervention and watching them work feels like magic.
So, how do they work? Let’s uncover just that.
What are robotic vacuum cleaners made of?
Most robotic vacuum cleaners use plastic chassis, and they are compact enough to navigate through tight spaces. They power themselves using lithium-ion batteries, and some premium models can deliver up to 120 minutes of run time. Most robotic vacuum cleaners use one or two spinning brushes along with a rolling brush. These brushes collect dirt towards the center of the room, where the electric motor creates suction. Dust, hair, and everything else collected by the vacuum cleaner is sucked and stored into a removable dust container. Users have to manually dump the dust from the container, once it fills up. Some premium models also come with an auto-dumping feature, which automatically disposes of the dust without requiring any human input. Some models also sport HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters. These filters are designed to remove 99 per cent of airborne particles, so they are very effective at capturing dust, pollens, and allergens. This feature helps reduce allergic reactions.
How do robotic vacuum cleaners navigate?
Robotic vacuum cleaners automatically navigate themselves through spaces using obstacle and cliff sensors. Obstacle sensors are usually located on the vacuum cleaner’s bumper, and they are designed to avoid obstructions such as chair and table legs, sofas, toys and everything else in the cleaner’s path. Robotic vacuum cleaners steer themselves away from obstructions when the obstacle sensors are triggered. They are programmed to rotate and move forward until the device finds a clear path. The direction robotic cleaner takes is determined by where the bumper makes contact. For example, if a vacuum cleaner detects an obstruction on its left bumper, it moves to the right side to avoid the object. Many premium models even use laser sensors to avoid objects in darker rooms.
Cliff sensors act as a safety mechanism for robotic vacuum cleaners. These sensors tell the vacuum cleaners when they reach a drop, like an edge of a step. Cliff sensors are located at the bottom of the cleaner. They measure the distance between the cleaner and the floor, by constantly sending infrared signals to the surface. If the signal doesn’t bounce back immediately, the vacuum cleaner detects that it has reached a stair or a steep drop.
Most robotic cleaners operate using obstacle and cliff sensors, but some premium models also use additional wall and wheel sensors for more efficient cleaning. As the name suggests, they can detect walls and find straight lines that robotic cleaners can follow. These sensors allow the cleaner to clean along the edges where the wall meets the floor. These sensors are placed on the sides of the cleaner, so the cleaner can evenly pick dirt from tight corners, without bumping or scuffing the wall. These sensors also allow the cleaners with mapping abilities to discover new areas to clean. Wheel sensors track the moments of the wheels, so robotic cleaners can analyze distances and turns made. These sensors allow the cleaners to know their precise location and this gives them the ability to navigate better.
Robotic cleaners with mapping features
The newer and the higher-end models also come with self-navigation features. For example, the iRoomba 976 has in-built cameras that click pictures of walls, doorways, and furniture. It combines the data along with information collected from other sensors to gradually build a map of your home or office. The mapping feature helps the cleaner to locate itself, so it knows where it has been and where it needs to go. Such vacuum cleaners also maintain record their moments, paths and even obstacles for calculating efficient cleaning paths. If robotic cleaners detect low battery while cleaning, they automatically return to the dock to recharge themselves. They resume the cleaning task from where they left off, one the battery is charged. This feature helps to achieve quick and even cleaning.
Many models come with app support that lets you remotely control the cleaner and even create cleaning schedules. You can also program them to wake up and start cleaning without any interventions. Some models also support Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use voice commands to tell your robot vacuum cleaner to start cleaning. Prices for entry-level models can start from as low as Rs. 14,999. Robotic vacuum cleaners are the future, and that make cleaning simpler. In the same manner that we started using washing machines, robot vacuum cleaners might be the kind of product we see in every home of the future. They are already available at your nearest Reliance Digital store and you can also check them on www.reliancedigital.in
