Information on a Roomba Robotics Vacuum Cleaner
The Roomba vacuum deserves recognition as the first domestic robot that provides a truly useful service. Besides performance as a vacuum cleaner, it speaks to its owner using a series of beeps; it is aware of its environment, avoiding stairs, walls and other physical obstructions; and it remembers details and layouts of every room in its service area. You don't even need to be at home while it functions. Does this Spark an idea?
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Robotics
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Roomba is manufactured by iRobot, a company that specializes in military and industrial robots. It uses sophisticated programming and an array of on-board sensors to navigate its environment. Infrared and optical sensors control battery life, dirt detection and movement, including "danger" zone avoidance such as stairs. The Roomba is programmable with a remote control and uses a series of electronic tones to communicate up to 15 messages, including "task finished," "found charger," and "backing up."
Models
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As of 2010, iRobot offers five models for cleaning just about every floor surface in your home. In addition to the Roomba vacuum, there is the Scooba floor washing robot, the Dirt Dog garage sweeper, and the Verro pool cleaner. Also available is iRobot's latest innovation, the Looj gutter brush. Each has a unique set of features for cleaning its own specialized area.
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Functionality
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Roomba's powerful suction picks up buttons, bobby pins, coins, crumbs and hair, and even large items like popsicle sticks and empty potato chip bags. There is a spot mode for heavy soiling due to mishaps. With a press of the remote control, Roomba will begin a back-and-forth pattern, then turn in place for several minutes before circling out to a 6-foot diameter, and then circle back to its original spot.
Features
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The Roomba's features ensure the robot cleans only where it's supposed to and that it stays well out of danger. Programmable exclusion zones create a virtual wall. Dirt detection sensors "listen" for large objects until they are picked up. Wall hugging allows it to trace the outskirts of a room as brushes pick up debris along kick-boards and walls. When the robot determines it has cleaned its entire service area or decides it needs recharging, it returns to the docking station to fuel its rechargeable batteries. Ordinary maintenance includes emptying the dirt compartment and occasionally clearing out hair and other debris from the brushes.
Drawbacks
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Roomba does have a few minor drawbacks. The powerful suction is capable of picking up more debris than the robot's small size can actually hold; it's best to empty the bin after one or two cycles. Hair also tends to wrap in the brushes until they cease to roll, causing Roomba to miss things. Brushes are easy enough to clean, but if you are away from the machine while this happens, Roomba might continue vacuuming without realizing it's being ineffective. Also, clothing, throw rugs and shoelaces or thin cords can pose a problem, as can overhangs lower than Roomba's 4-inch height.
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References
- Photo Credit boots on carpet image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
