Update June 12, 2019 – a few weeks ago iRobot launched their new flagship robot and the most advanced robot they have ever built. It’s a notable upgrade over the i7+ and includes a number of new features and an improved design. See here for a detailed Roomba S9+ review.
Robot vacuums have been on the scene for quite some time. It is only in the last few years where they have become to be considered more of a tech product with a place in the smart home setup. This has involved making them smart devices, an electronic with sensors that can record information and send it, typically via WiFi. Robot vacuums now host complex mapping and software embedded features that are getting better and better. Just a few weeks ago iRobot released their newest and best Roomba. The Roomba i7+ is a dramatic upgrade that outperforms its predecessors. In fact,. the iRobot Roomba i7+ is the best robot vacuum you can get in 2018. This article will explain why.
So, before we explore the details of why the Roomba i7+ is the leading robot vacuum, we will look into the history of Roombas and the Internet of Things. The first Roomba was released all the way back in 2002. The original Roomba was a basic piece of kit with just 3 buttons. Since this first product, iRobot has released a slew of devices that have incrementally improved features that have related to cleaning ability, navigation methods, and control with monitoring capabilties. The quality of features are improving at faster and faster rate thanks to their improved sensors and connectivity.
The very latest devices released by iRobot are connectable to the internet of Wifi, making them a part of the Internet of Things (IOT). For those who don’t know, the IOT is a principal and phenomena that is being applied to practically any piece of equipment. Traditional devices, which can be anything from a vacuum to a light bulb, are known as “Things”. They are being equipped with sensors and actuators which make them connectable to the internet with closely tied features and functions. For example, a smart light bulb could use sensors to detect motion and turn on accordingly. This demonstrates a chain of events whereby a sensor identifies an event to allow the actuator component to enact a change. This is a relatively basic example and the scope of potential application of this tech can and is fundamentally changing the feature richness of everyday items.
The iRobot Roomba is a fantastic example of taking an everyday appliance and connecting it to the IOT. The result is a device which users a wide range of sensors to perform a task in the easiest way possible with absolutely no hassle. As you will see with the Roomba i7+ features below, the Roomba is now able to do every aspect of cleaning without any human involvement. This is quite frankly remarkable.
The Roomba i7+ is the first and only Roomba that can automatically dispose waste on its own. This is a bit of a game changer for consumers as previously the devices bins require frequent emptying. The home charging base of the Roomba i7+ sucks up the waste gathered in up to 30 cleans. This provides the user with the ultimate smart cleaning experience, once where they don’t have to think about any aspect of the job themselves.
The Roomba i7+ also brings in the latest and most advanced navigation technology in a Roomba yet. The iAdapt 3.0 navigation uses the Smart Mapping & VSLAM tech found in the 900 series. This uses a camera to build up a map for your home which makes the cleaning routes incredibly efficient and quick. The i7+ remembers the exact layout of your home and even builds up a map you can access from the dedicated iRobot Home app.
Once the battery is low, the Roomba will return to the station and recharge itself. Then it will use the mapping technology to return back to exactly where it was before. This means the Roomba will get the full job done, even if it goes beyond its maximum battery life. There is a new IMPRINT Mapping technology where the Roomba knows you different rooms. This builds upon the Smart Mapping and VSLAM mentioned above and applies a more precise focus. The information gathered here then can work with Alexa to instruct the Roomba i7+ to clean on specific room.
Many of you may be wondering how good the Roomba suction is and whether it can actually do a solid job of cleaning in your home. The i7+ has the most powerful cleaning motor found in a Roomba, equatable to the Roomba 980. This features extra suction and a carpet boost mode to help get the hard to get dirt and debris out of thick carpet pile. Side brushes angled at 27 degrees will leave no dirt untouched in the corner and ensure the home is tip top tidy! This piece of equipment also comes with WiFi connectivity and the use of the iRobot Home app. This is the principal user interface and point of control. You can also see Clean Map Reports and various metrics such as the time cleaned. The app is also a principal point of connecting your Roomba to a smart home setup. This is where things can get fun. For example, you could automate your Roomba to instantly start cleaning whenever you leave your home.
Robot vacuums equipped with technology as complicated as that found in the Roomba i7+ fantastically demonstrate the power of Internet of Things. Any device can given a new layer of functional depth and a greater breadth of features when given sensors and internet connectivity. The potential is seemingly endless moving forward everything we own will be connected.
The Roomba i7+, this is without a doubt the best Roomba, far outpacing its predecessors. Say hello to auto disposal and say goodbye to cleaning your home. You have a little robot who is set to the job full time. Beyond cleanings, this device signals a new era of the most fantastic and capable devices. You may also need the smart trash can when you clean your home.
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