July 13, 2005. Copyright 2005, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Clean while you dream with the new remote control vacuum cleaner
By Mark Rutter

LONDON, July 13, Graphic News:  Since it was first put on sale in the United States in 2002, the Roomba robot vacuum has sold around 1.2 million cleaners. Now however, the world of luxury household items is about to be taken up a level. In August this year a $60 upgrade will be available which will allow the Roomba to be programmed to clean your floors while youÕre asleep or even out of the house.

Several different robot vacuum cleaners are now available to buy. The Electrolux Trilobite was the first to hit UK shops in May 2003. But the leading manufacturer worldwide is iRobot Corporation, started in 1990 to build robots for researchers, with its Roomba range. Roomba uses intelligent navigation technology to move around the room, avoiding obstacles and stairs. It will clean wood, tiles, linoleum, and short-pile carpet. Rotating brushes scoop up debris into the dustbin, while the vacuum sucks up finer particles. At around 9cm high, the Roomba is much flatter than conventional upright cleaners so that it can easily slide under beds and other furniture. The Roomba also has a rapid-charging battery, with the charge lasting up to 120 minutes of continuous use. As well as appealing to gadget freaks and cleaning obsessives, robotic vacuum cleaners are useful for those people who, through some form of disability, are unable to use a conventional cleaner.

The technology has now been adapted for lawn mowers such as the Robomower, marketed as iMow. Having a compact design with flashing lights, it resembles a mini extraterrestrial spaceship. These machines can trim lawns right up to the edges, while avoiding your precious flowerbeds and shrubs. Like the vacuum cleaners, the latest robot lawnmowers can be programmed to go back to a docking station for charging. They also have built-in safety features, which stop the blades immediately if the mower experiences any slight pressure. Industrial scale models are also available bringing automation to trimming large recreational parks, playing fields and golf courses. Another recent iRobot product is a robotic mop known as Scooba. Roughly the size and shape of a scooter wheel, with one tank containing cleaning fluid and another for holding the dirty wash water, it sweeps, washes and dries all floor types.

Software for iRobotÕs latest innovation, the ÒschedulerÓ can be downloaded to the Roomba through its serial port. This allows infrared Òvirtual wallsÓ to be set up to confine the cleaner to certain rooms or parts of a room. The company claims that the scheduler has been designed to be simple to operate, even for the most extreme technophobes. It will allow remote control programming of the Roomba so that it can be started any time -- you might want to choose to clean during night time or even when out. With its modern white case, round button pad display, and resemblance to the iPod, the scheduler should also appeal to the style buffs.
/ENDS