Smart home "pet" - a robot vacuum cleaner

So the robotic age has come, about which songs were composed and films were made by tireless dreamers. Mankind did not even notice how the wonders of technology were introduced into life. They can be entrusted not only with the storage of information, but also with household chores, which require a subtle sense of perfectionist. Now the owner of the apartment can safely drink coffee, make plans and do business on the Internet, while an amazing wireless vacuum cleaner carefully cleans the home.

There is no limit to perfection

It's hard to believe that this wise gadget is already two decades old. For the first time, a robot vacuum cleaner appeared on television in 1997. The BBC company introduced the world to the great brainchild of the company Electrolux, which, like many other manufacturers of "cleaners", was aimed at solving the global human problem - allergies.

And if in those days, viewers were surprised by the mere fact of independent movement of the device around the apartment, now a household robot vacuum cleaner can stun any person far from fiction. The machine is endowed with incredible intelligence: it "travels" around the apartment, tactfully dodging obstacles, freshens the air with fragrant spray and even hunts for saprophyte ticks. But even a greedy person for perfection is not enough. The automated cleaner has even become able to independently find the charger and connect to it, so that then it can continue cleaning.

Owners of a miracle gadget note how cool a robot vacuum cleaner can be for animal hair and long hair that fly daily throughout the apartment. Some models come with a remote control. If the owner is not too happy with the result of the efforts of the robot, he can “order” the hard worker to walk again along the indicated area. Children simply love to operate this “plate”, to observe how the robot vacuum cleaner works, how it removes garbage from carpets and mopping floors.

Wonder gadget in action

Robotic assistants are usually rounded for better maneuvering in tight spaces. But there are also slightly “circumscribed” models. As a rule, all these machines are quite compact (up to 30 cm in diameter) and low (about 10 cm), making it easy to get under the sofas and cabinets, which people can not always climb into.

The operating principle of the robot vacuum cleaner is surprisingly simple: the car drives around the apartment on an electric motor, is guided with the help of special sensors and picks up garbage, while sucking it inside. The main device of such a vacuum cleaner is the main rotating brush, which sweeps dirt inside the device. Additional side brushes help scavenging garbage from hard to reach places.

The only company with a patented right to produce vacuum cleaners with two main brushes is iRobot, the world leader in robotic vacuum cleaners.

Because the robot vacuum cleaner is arranged, the speed and quality of cleaning will depend. For example, the power of the pump directly affects the functions of the “cleaner”. Some vacuum cleaners hide modest electric brooms, which perfectly collect garbage and quietly buzz, but almost do not absorb dust and wool.Some models are "smart enough" not to get entangled in wires scattered on the floor, while other robots can get stuck in obstacles and modestly wait until the owner comes to the rescue.

Other useful features of some robotic vacuum cleaners:

• ability to clean in the dark (model Moneual MR6500 Green);
• the ability to identify areas for cleaning and “force” the vacuum cleaner to clean them (Moneual MR7700 Red);
• the ability to return to the place and finish the unfinished work after charging (LG VR64701LVMP);
• the ability to move thresholds 1.5 cm high (LG VR64701LVMP);
• additional cameras that remember the route and allow you to quickly navigate among obstacles during subsequent harvesting (LG VR6270LVM);
• recognition of the "abyss" and its detour (Samsung SR10F71UE NaviBot);
• pollution analysis, data collection and selection of the best driving path (Philips FC 8820);
• ability to turn on according to a schedule set by a person, including time of day and days of the week (Philips FC 8810);
• ultra-fine (6 cm), allowing penetration even under low furniture (Philips FC 8710).

These are far from all the functions that ultra-modern “cleaners” are endowed with, and it’s not easy to choose the best robot vacuum cleaner from their extensive list. Even if you compare the cost of different models, you can be puzzled why it varies so widely. What secrets do manufacturers of robot vacuum cleaners hide, and how not to give up on buying?

Price and quality

Not only the celebrity of the brand is highly valued, but also certain characteristics of the device, which cheap models are deprived of. This must be understood by every customer before choosing a robot vacuum cleaner. So, the cost of models can be divided into three categories.

Economy class ($ 150-250)

If you are the owner of a large apartment, then the budget option disappears immediately. Vacuum cleaners in this category are not cheap because the manufacturer is too kind or not famous. Such models of robotic vacuum cleaners disperse quickly, but in order not to trade at a loss, you have to save on all the details and functions of the “cleaner”. As a result, the machine works almost blindly, is easily injured and quickly exhales. In the best case, such a robot will work for half an hour, and it will take at least half a day to charge. Cleaning time cannot be programmed. In a one-room apartment without woolen animals and thresholds, such an instance of equipment will still take root, but in a large room it will be of little use.

Middle segment ($ 250-750)

A home robot vacuum cleaner of this category is considered optimal both in terms of functions and in terms of price - it does not bite too much, given all the capabilities of the gadget. This robot vacuum cleaner is suitable for an apartment of any size. It has many functions, it can both clean from dust and wash for 2 hours without recharging. The charging itself will last no more than 4 hours, which means that you can use the robot 2-3 times a day in a large apartment. Most owners get the average cost of a robot vacuum cleaner, the device of which allows you to program cleaning at your discretion.

The car is strong enough and cleverly avoids obstacles, optimizing its route thanks to a large number of sensors. Interestingly, before cleaning a specific area of ​​the floor, the dirt sensors evaluate the severity of the work by the acoustic method. The car knows exactly where to go with your brushes twice. This is how a robot of a medium price category can clean a robot with high quality.

Elite segment ($ 750 and above)

The functions of the best robots of vacuum cleaners are not so different from the middle segment, but there is one significant plus: such an assistant can do a good cleaning in a huge mansion in a fairly short time. Amazingly powerful robot vacuum cleaner removes pollution from the depths of the carpet and tile, inaccessible to a conventional vacuum cleaner. Filters hold up to 99% of dust inside, contributing to high-quality air purification in the apartment. And this miracle is charged for a maximum of 30 minutes.Therefore, the owners, whose financial capabilities allow you to acquire an elite "cleaner", will save a lot of time and effort: the apartment will always be fresh and clean.

It is worth noting that recently, many expensive models are endowed with functions that are not at all related to the direct task of the machine - collecting dust. A robot vacuum cleaner for the home can video and go online. It is possible that in the future these “cleaners” will learn to talk, cook and answer phone calls during cleaning.

An original toy to the envy of friends or a reliable robust robotic vacuum cleaner - decide which one to choose. The overview of robotic vacuum cleaners is quite extensive today, and it can be difficult to weigh the pros and cons of different models. The choice will be made up of the personal wishes of the owner. If there is any doubt about what kind of vacuum cleaner to buy, a rating compiled by experts will help to make an impression of the most popular models.

Best-selling models

Comparing robotic vacuum cleaners and compiling a top list of the best models is not an easy task even for expert technicians. Nevertheless, a customer survey helped to make an approximate rating of the best “cleaners”, which you can focus on when choosing.

iRobot Roomba 616

This is the best among the budget models of a robot vacuum cleaner for dry cleaning. Despite the fairly simple configuration, the car is not inferior in function to its expensive counterparts. The robot reliably and efficiently cleans various types of flooring, skillfully gets out of the wires and dock itself with the charger. The operating time of the “cleaner” is 2.5 hours. The machine has a sturdy filter, a container for collecting wool and a remote control.

Panda X600 Pet Series

Judging by the name that this robot vacuum cleaner has, its advantages are obvious. The machine copes with pet hair and long hair. The model is able to automatically adjust the suction power and has an ultraviolet lamp for disinfecting floor coverings. The owner has the opportunity to set areas for the vacuum cleaner (function "virtual wall"). Operating time up to 3.5 hours. The only minus of the model is the too small container, which will have to be emptied constantly. But it’s nice to look at the price tag.

Kitfort KT-519

Another economical option for dry cleaning with two filters. The height of the car is only 8 cm, and its clever maneuvers arouse admiration among the owners. The robot perfectly absorbs dust and wool, and the turbo brush is easy to remove and clean. Machine up to 150 minutes. The minus of the robot vacuum cleaner is that it often wanders around the apartment in search of a charging base and can easily get confused in the wires.

iRobot Braava 390T

This robot vacuum cleaner with wet cleaning copes with a bang, and performs a dry one very delicately, carefully, with napkins - therefore it is not suitable for carpets. A special panel constantly wets the fabric, highlighting the right dose of detergent. The operation of the machine is reminiscent of the work of a mop, which wipes dirt not only from the floor, but also along the walls. The vacuum cleaner skillfully builds a route and reliably copes with the task.

Clever & Clean Aqua-Series 01

The machine deserves the title of “the best washing robot vacuum cleaner,” because in addition to wet cleaning it also performs dry. This versatile helper can easily handle 6 types of cleaning. While the owner is absent, the robot will put the apartment in order and will go on recharging. The kit includes several additional brushes, a strong filter and an ultraviolet lamp. The only thing that this “washing robot” vacuum cleaner “degrades” among its brothers is the absence of a virtual wall. The machine can jam the curtains or get stuck in the wires, so to obtain a high-quality result, the owner should first clean the space from unnecessary parts.

Each model has certain advantages and disadvantages, and not always a huge number of functions can satisfy the needs of the buyer.But robotic vacuum cleaners continue to improve, becoming not only enviable home gadgets, but also reliable performers of dry and wet cleaning. We choose such assistants not for originality, but for the fact that they surprisingly accurately adapt to our everyday needs and save valuable time.