A Robot Vacuum Cleaner That Also Mops

A robot vacuum cleaner that also mops the floor, this model from German manufacturer Karcher is an impressive debut. Its clever features like cliff detection and AI mapping enabled it easily eat pet hair and biscuit crumbs however dust proved more difficult to clean.

The app that is compatible adds convenience, allowing you to create virtual walls to avoid stairs and furniture or schedule cleaning for specific times. However, its sound levels are a bit high.

Self-emptying

You can reduce time and energy by using a robot vacuum that automatically empties itself. The docking station is equipped with large storage bags that is full and can be removed and replaced. It is a great way to empty the dust bin which is built into the robot, and can reduce the risk of health and hygiene issues arising from contact with pet hair and dust. It also prevents a full bin causing the suction to decrease and the possibility of spitting debris into the living area.

A vacuum that can be used to empty the vacuum automatically is recommended if you have family members suffering from hay fever or allergies to prevent the reintroduction of dirt into your home. Similarly, it's an excellent choice for those who lead a hectic life and want to minimize the amount of time they spend cleaning their home.

The majority of robot vacuums are controlled via a mobile app and voice commands. You can start, stop or return them back to their dock. Some robot vacuums can tell you if they're in a tangle with a piece of furniture or if their battery is not fully charged.

The higher-end models use cameras and laser sensors to scan the surroundings, enabling them to work out the most efficient route before starting each room. This will help them avoid getting tripped by furniture or stranded on stray cable.

Modern robot cleaners are able to create detailed maps of your house that can be accessed via the app. You can save multiple maps and be able to add 'exclusion zones,' which the robot cleaner will not cross. You can also add furniture to the map and create specific areas for cleaning using more advanced cleaners with mopping capabilities.


Smart apps

Many robot vacuums are compatible with smart home technology, which means you can utilize an app to control them. They might also be able to communicate with smart assistants such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant which means you can ask them to clean. This is useful when you don't want to be having to constantly press the vacuum button, or are worried about your children and pets accidentally turning the vacuum on fire.

The bins in the majority of compact robot vacuums aren't big enough and you'll need to empty them frequently. However some of the best models can be emptied automatically. They can empty their bins by themselves when they return to their docking station. This feature is ideal for those who suffer from hayfever and allergies, as it reduces dust that you come in contact with.

Another feature of some robot vacs is the ability to sweep your floors. They are typically more expensive however they can be beneficial for those who aren't keen on vacuuming clean up messes from wet floors. Some robots that have a mopping feature will have a separate water tank, while others can combine the two functions to create one. This means that they can serve double duty and avoid the hassle of switching attachments.

A good robotic vacuum cleaner will make use of a map of your house to guide it around. By combining sensors lasers, cameras, and sensors to create an image of your room before starting to mop or vacuum. vacuum bot can view the maps on your smartphone and create exclusion zones to stop it from coming into contact with certain areas or furniture.

This feature isn't present on all robot vacuums however, for those who don't have time to vacuum every day or struggle with manual cleaning, it’s an excellent option. It's especially beneficial for those with areas that are cluttered and high up. It can clean under tables and other difficult-to-access areas. The robotic nozzle can also get very close to furniture and walls without damaging it and the clever directional system ensures it can reach corners that are difficult to reach.

Obstacle avoidance

Robots can stay clear of obstructions and debris using technology to avoid objects. It stops them from slurping anything that could jam or damage internal components, and it saves you the hassle of having to remove objects that are stuck in their suction or under furniture. The latest models of robotic vacuums and other smart home appliances are now equipped with high-tech obstacle avoidance technology that works in real time.

When you are looking for the top robotic vacuums, choose those with advanced technology for obstacle detection. These robots can work in different lighting conditions and can recognize a wide variety of objects. Top smart robots are equipped with multiple sensors to help them gain an understanding of their surroundings. They are also able to avoid obstacles when the arrangement of a room changes. Some examples of the most advanced technology to avoid obstacles include crossed IR sensor and 3D structured lighting and ToF sensors (time of flight).

Crossed IR sensor beams are a focused beam of light that are reflected off objects, helping the robot detect them. This type of sensor is widely used in robot vacuums and other cleaning robots and it's especially effective in dark rooms. Some of the more expensive robots come with 3D structured lights that emit a pattern light pulses that are distorted by objects in the room. 3D structured lights are often paired with cameras and crossed IR sensors and other obstacle-avoidance systems.

Cameras are a common technology for robot mopping and vacuuming bots. These sensors are monocular or bi-cular and can capture images and use image processing in order to identify obstacles. The best robotic vacuums with camera sensors provide the most comprehensive obstacle-avoiding solution, and can be combined with other technologies to produce more effective results.

One of the most advanced obstacle-avoidance systems is offered by the iRobot Roomba J7+. The model has an integrated video camera that can detect objects of various dimensions as well as pet waste. iRobot's confidence in this technology is so solid that it provides an "Pet Poop Promise" guarantee: if the robot is able to detect pet waste the company will repair the device at no cost to the customer.

Cleaning

The most effective robot vacuums make use of a combination sensors and lasers in order to map the area they are cleaning. This helps them plan their route and avoid hitting furniture or stairs, as well as other obstacles. They can also decide if a certain area needs to be cleaned again and return to their dock if their power is not sufficient or their bins are full.

You can connect your robot vacuum to your smart assistant, such as Alexa, Google Home or Siri and control it with the app on your smartphone. This is particularly useful when you're away from home, and you need to plan or begin a thorough clean. A lot of models let you manually trigger a clean from the app in case you need to clean up spills or stains.

Although a robot vacuum is the most commonly used type of robotic cleaning machine, you can also get ones that mop too. These usually come as separate, specialised robot mops or as hybrid models with an integrated mop attachment. Traditional robot mops are plates that clip onto the underside or back of the vacuum, and are equipped with an insignificant water tank and mop pads. They're perfect for a quick polishing on just-vacuumed floors, but they can't remove a sticky stain as ketchup.

Robotic mop cleaners that are more advanced come with tanks and are designed to mop while they move. These mops are ideal for stains that are difficult to remove, but they can take longer to wash a room. Some models will automatically refill their tanks once they're empty. This is helpful for those suffering from allergies or hay fever.

A top choice is the iRobot Scooba 450. It was the only robotic vacuum to make our Best Buy list and it did well on hard floors and carpets. It's not cheap but its outstanding performance in our testing means you will save money both in terms of cleaning and electricity. Additionally, it self-empties, which means you don't have to empty the trash bin by hand every time.