The robot vacuum has made cleaning and other tasks easier for many people. From the first robotic vacuum cleaner in 1996, called the Trilobite and made by Electrolux in Sweden, to the present-day ones, the robot vacuum has evolved to become even better. A novelty at first, the early Swedish Trilobite robotic vacuum debuted on television in a BBC science program called "Tomorrow World" in 1996. The Scooba, introduced by iRobot in 2005, was designed for scrubbing hard floors. However, the early robot vacuums had the problem of bumping into walls, while often omitting the cleaning of small areas. This early cleaner also seemed to bump into many objects.
The Roomba robot vacuum appeared on the market in 2002. It was introduced by the company, iRobot, which was founded in 1990 by MIT roboticists. A team of eight people, including Colin Angle, Helen Greiner, and Rodney Brooks, worked on its design.
Today's robotic vacuum, such as the Roomba, can change direction if an obstacle appears in its path. It can also detect dirty spots on the floor. Steep drops are detected, which can keep it from falling down the stairs. Although Roomba has over 40 models, other companies have joined the array as producers of robot vacuums, with features that may include a vision system with a camera or laser vision instead of the use of ultrasound.
Robotic vacuums are less noisy than traditional vacuums. They also save time for busy households, as they can be left alone to do the job. On the other hand, some robot vacuums need to be charged after doing their job. However, they require less maintenance than regular vacuum cleaners. Even though the rollers may need cleaning, and the dirt box will need emptying, they require less storage space than a standard vacuum.
One advantage of this type of vacuum is that it can move under beds and tables easily. Cleaning under a bed with a standard vacuum may present challenges to many people, especially those with mobility issues. On the other hand, one disadvantage is that they cannot clean stairs or clean the whole house at one time. Thicker carpets may present a difficulty for the robotic vacuum. Another disadvantage is that replacement batteries on some models may be expensive.
Today's robot vacuums may have more than spinning brushes. They may include programming, mopping, or sterilization by UV. There are even robotic vacuums that feature security cameras or intercom systems.
The cost of robotic vacuums varies. The base model may cost as much as $200. More mid-range models may run in the $300 to $500 range. If you are in the market for a premium robotic vacuum, the cost might be at least $600.