Robot vacuum cleaners are the best option for those people looking for the maximum comfort when cleaning the home, or that they don't have time to do it (or have other better things to dedicate it to).
The possibility of having a device that autonomously takes care of cleaning, and that he can do it every day, without complaint, is something that has captivated many people. And, according to a survey carried out by the Roborock brand, 45% of homes in Spain already have a device of this type, highlighting La Rioja (70%), Navarra and Cantabria (60%), Extremadura (57%), Aragón, Murcia and Castilla y León (53%) and the Valencian Community (51%), in which more than half of the homes have a machine of this type
Today, they have improved a lot, and Many people already use robot vacuum cleaners as the only cleaning option, at least for daily use., and only occasionally do they use another type of device, such as a sled or a broom, to carry out specific or very thorough cleaning.
With the help of the benchmark for this type of product, iRobot and its well-known Roomba, many manufacturers have decided to release their own models, so that they have evolved towards increasingly sophisticated devices.
Thus, there are currently models that have HEPA filters, virtual walls, navigation and obstacle detection systems, room mapping, programmable cleaning modes, and a long etcetera.
Table of contents
HOW ROBOTIC VACUUM CLEANERS WORK
Navigation system
Robot vacuum cleaners have a sophisticated navigation system. Logically, the higher-end the robot, the better it will perform; more expensive models require less help from humans.)
Although the robot is normally circular and seems to move erratically, in reality, it can be said that it has a front and a back, and its movements have a meaning.
In the front part, it has various infrared sensors, which are what allow it to avoid falls down the stairs. The sensor emits signals, and receives their bounce. If it takes a long time to receive it, it interprets that there is a danger of falling and does not continue on that path.
They also have object sensors, which prevent collisions with furniture. Some robots have advanced laser navigation systems and create maps of the rooms, to achieve more fluid navigation and optimal home cleaning.
In addition, they have wall sensors, which allow them to locate where they are, to get as close as possible, without colliding with them, and perform better cleaning.
Some devices, in addition to all these sensors, have virtual walls, which can be used, for example, to limit entry into a specific room.
In addition to all these sensors, each device has a cleaning algorithm, which determines how it detects dirt and how it moves through the rooms.
Cheaper models have simpler navigation systems, while more expensive ones are more sophisticated and efficient.
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cleaning system
Robot vacuum cleaners have several brushes: a rotating side brush, which picks up dirt that the bottom of the vacuum cleaner can't reach.
In addition, it has a brush at the bottom that collects the most voluminous dirt and introduces it into the collection tank.
It also sucks up dust (although its power is not comparable to that of other types of vacuum cleaners) as it goes around the house.
Robot vacuum cleaners make several passes in the most problematic areas. How do you detect the dirtiest areas? Through acoustic impact sensors.
This works because dusty ground vibrates differently. When the robot passes through an area with more dirt than normal, it notices these vibrations, and passes again, until they reach an acceptable level.
Likewise, the robots detect changes in the floor (for example, when they are on a carpet) to act accordingly and modify their brushing style.
ADVANTAGES OF ROBOTIC VACUUM CLEANERS
Next, we will see what the characteristics of a robot vacuum cleaner are, which can motivate the purchase of a device of this type (always keeping in mind that it may not serve as the only cleaning alternative, due to its limitations):
Comfort
The main reason to buy a robot vacuum cleaner is the convenience it provides, since Our work is often limited to getting it started (or not even that)., or to unclog it if in any case it gets tangled somewhere.
In some cases, they are programmable and return to the charging station on their own., thereby saving us even more work.
Time
We can dedicate ourselves to other tasks or enjoy our leisure, while the robot does its work, We no longer have to “vacuum cleaner” (or, at least, not as frequently as before).
"Salud"
Compared to manual options, such as a broom, mop... they are more hygienic, since they collect dust instead of sweeping it. Furthermore, as The house is vacuumed more regularly, since it is not work, it stays clean for longer.
And since they don't have to be handled like sled vacuum cleaners or stick vacuum cleaners, we avoid bad posture and back problems.
Consumer goods
They spend little, They can consume only a few tens of watts to charge (varies depending on the model), which means that the annual electricity consumption is negligible.
For example, if it consumes 100 watts per charge and we charge it twice a week, it would consume about 2 kilowatts per year, which represents an approximate cost of 10 euros per year.
Size
They are small devices, so they do not get in the way, and some easily get under furniture.. If we want to store them, they take up very little space, and if we want to transport them, they do not weigh too much (they are usually between 3 and 4 kilograms).
Integrated
Although for many people it is not an advantage, Some value the feeling of exclusivity that the design of these devices provides., so technological, so XNUMXst century.
DISADVANTAGES OF ROBOTIC VACUUM CLEANERS
Although they have undeniable advantages, they still have a long way to go to be a unique alternative for home cleaning. Next, we will see some of these drawbacks:
Power
Although there has been a lot of improvement in this aspect, it is still a handicap in some cases.
Robot vacuum cleaners can do everyday cleaning and keep the house reasonably clean, depending on the type of soil and dirt that needs to be picked up. In fact, many users use them as the only cleaning option.
However, its power is not too high, if we compare it with sled vacuum cleaners or with some broom vacuum cleaner models., so cleaning is not as thorough as with these types of devices. The counterpart is that, for its convenience, the house is cleaned more frequently, so dirt does not accumulate.
Although there are several models that do it quite well, cleaning carpets can be a problem for some robots., which may not leave them as clean as we would like, and may even get stuck with the fringes.
Dust trapping capacity
Their capacity is, on average, lower than that of sled-type vacuum cleaners and stick vacuum cleaners. Although there are exceptions, its ability to trap dust is, on average, lower than other options. In any case, this depends on the model chosen, since today there are robots that do a pretty good job in this regard.
The ability to trap dust is not only a function of its power, or the design of its brushes, but what matters to us is also that it stays inside.
For this reason, the most advanced models have high capacity filters (HEPA), capable of filtering particles smaller than one micron (one thousandth of a millimeter).
Cleaning hard-to-reach areas
Robot vacuum cleaners do not usually clean corners and corners, as well as other areas that, for any reason, they cannot reach. (behind doors, under low furniture, etc.).
Battery
This is one of their advantages, as autonomous devices that they are, but it also has the drawbacks associated with it.
To use the robot, it must be charged (although some models already take care of going to the charging station themselves) and, like any other battery, performance may decrease over time (although today they have improved a lot).
Price
They have a wide variety of prices, but If we want a model with a minimum of features, we have to be willing to pay a high price, superior to that of common sled vacuum cleaners.
Deposit
Your deposit capacity is quite limited (usually between 0,3 and 0,6 liters), which requires you to empty the tank regularly, often after each time you work.
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