My Robot Vacuum, My Friend
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My Robot Vacuum, My Friend
It is absolutely amazing how attached an owner becomes to their robot vacuum! Owners name them, clothe them, respond diligently and cheerfully to their chirps, and buy them for anyone they truly love. It would appear that a robot vacuum can end cleaning disputes, practically obliterate shedding problems, relieve physical suffering and old age, and entertain, on top of doing a very nice job cleaning floors. For those who are more technologically inclined, it can also be a watchdog, photographer, and maybe, someday soon, read your emails to you, along with goodness knows what else.
How Does A Robot Vacuum Work?
Sensors feel out the robot vacuum’s environment and adjust the robot’s behavior accordingly, following a mathematical plan. The inventors of the original robot vacuum offer video footage of their version, Roomba, in action on their website iRobot.com. The newest versions can be scheduled to clean when you want them to, even while you’re away from home, signal you when it is time to empty the receptacle, and include a tool for cleaning the brushes.
There are filters to change and a few parts to clean, but Roomba’s filters are very affordable, and the upkeep sounds much less complex than what a standard vacuum would require. The robot vacuum returns to its docking station when it is finished cleaning to recharge its battery for the next run. There is a remote control, in case you would like to direct where it heads next.
Sensors also detect dirt and will go over especially soiled areas multiple times for deeper cleaning. The robot vacuum uses infrared technology to avoid staircases, lest it become a casualty of a steep drop, and can transition between different surface types with minimal trouble. You can instruct it to do a full clean or just spot clean. Roomba also employs virtual wall units, so you can keep it from going where you don’t want it to, for example, into a fireplace.
An older robot vacuum can be reprogrammed to modify its functions, while newer ones have data ports that allow it to be computer-controlled. One systems engineer is working on a plan to allow the robot vacuum to work from generated maps of the room it is cleaning.
How Well Does This Vacuum Clean?
Most owners say a robot vacuum cleans as well, if not better than a standard vacuum. It doesn’t clean so well, however, that you don’t have to scout ahead for toys, books, elastics and miscellaneous paraphernalia lying in the middle of the floor. A robot vacuum sees it only as junk that needs to be removed and will happily try to do it for you, most likely with undesired results. When using one for the first time, even after just vacuuming with a traditional vacuum, many report it picked up such a large amount of filth that they had to empty it after ten or fifteen minutes and set it down to work again.
Though some owners report that their robot vacuum occasionally misses an obvious piece of dirt, most don’t hold it against the mechanical maid in comparison with its ability to get under beds and couches and along walls, etc. A few robot trouble spots seem to be area rugs with fringe, heavily corded areas, and, of course, stairways. These you would still have to clean yourself.
Multiple pet owners rave and rave about the robot vacuum’s ability to unearth ghastly amounts of fur from their flooring. Those with disabilities glow with enthusiasm for the weightless effort of the robot vacuum.
How Much Does A Robot Vacuum Cost?
Surprisingly, this vacuum costs no more than a decent upright model. The cheapest knockoff is about $90 but may not be reliable according to some buyers. The next in price range actually comes from the original inventors at iRobot. Their vacuums range from $150 to a little over $330, depending on which model you want to buy. Then, get ready for a shock, the next step up, whose makers brag mostly that theirs don’t bump into objects or have a larger dirt capacity sell for about $1,800!
Accolades For The Robot Vacuum
If you’re still not convinced to try one, how about the fact that Roomba will give you a 30-day free trial. If you still think there’s a catch, there are actually Roomba communities where you can check out all the chat about robot vacuums and link to live video footage of Roombas in action. The Washington Post in a January 12, 2005, article says the Roomba is so easy to use, “even your grandmother could operate [it] without a menu or manual.” Though they’re said not to be quiet enough to watch TV with, they are reportedly noticeably quieter than some of the more popular uprights. The Roomba has received awards from Business Week, Time Magazine, Popular Science, USA Today, Appliance Design, and Good Housekeeping. Check it out for yourself.
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