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Vacuum robot: Practical cleaning devils for home and office
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How does a vacuum robot work?
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Advantages and disadvantages of the suction robots
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Purchase criteria: Which suction robot suits me?
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Accessories for robot vacuum cleaners
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Conclusion: What was the suction robot?
How does a vacuum robot work?
They are among the first service robots to be found in many rooms both privately and operationally. Vacuum robots, also known as vacuum cleaner robots or vacuum cleaners, are a great addition to the vacuum cleaner. They travel independantly like small UFOs over the floor and clean the rooms even in the absence of the residents or employees.
How are suction robots structured?
The manufacturers produce vacuum robots with a round design or in D-shape. No matter what shape: The devices are designed in such a way that they travel smoothly between chair legs. Under sofas, cupboards, shelves and drawers, the robots can usually also suck without getting stuck. It also cleans the areas that you like to forget with conventional vacuum cleaning or only achieve with increased work effort and sporty readiness.
How does a vacuum robot clean?
The majority of vacuum cleaner robots have a sophisticated cleaning system consisting of suction cups and different brushes or rubber wipes. The side brushes at the edge of the device sweep dirt and dust under the device toward the center. One to two roller brushes run there, which pick up the dirt and transport it to the suction opening. The vacuum draws the dirt and blows it into a bag-free container. This is easy to empty into the waste bin. Filters and brushes can also be cleaned quickly using special cleaning tools. No need to buy vacuum cleaner bags, was it easy on the wallet and the environment.
In order to effectively remove very fine dust, pollen or mites, many suction robots have a HEPA filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air filter). Because often the small particles swirl around in the room during vacuuming instead of landing in the container. This is to be changed by the special particulate filter. The European standard EN 1822-1:2009 makes corresponding specifications for this.
How does a suction robot navigate?
There are major differences in navigation depending on the technical level. Simple devices have a collision sensor that automatically changes direction when in contact with a piece of furniture or other objects. You don't have to be afraid of damage, because usually the robots only hit the furniture gently.
Vacuum robots of the technical middle class work with infrared sensors, ultrasonic sensors (ultrasonic) or laser sensors. This way, they can see if there is anything in their way and how far this object is. The fall protection system, which detects steps or paragraphs, also works in this way. The danger of the vacuum cleaner robot falling down stairs is almost impossible.
Suction robots have a different number of sensors. Therefore, the obstacle detection is more or less complete. So it can still happen that a model with few sensors does not perceive an object or does it too late and hits it against it. A good sensor technology covering all areas is thus also one of the aspects that increase the price of a device.
Technically high-quality vacuum cleaner robots scan their surroundings and create a map so that they know where obstacles are. This is usually done by camera and allows a systematic cleaning of the room in comparatively short time. Vacuum cleaner robots at low and medium technical levels, on the other hand, travel through the area seemingly chaotic and uncoordinated. This system also catches almost every place and ensures a clean floor at the end. However, it takes longer than a systematic cleaning.
In addition, there are numerous features:
- Timer function: The vacuum cleaner robot starts cleaning at a time you have specified. Convenient because it can clean the floors when no one is in the room. In apartments, for example, during the day, in offices after work.
- Remote control or smartphone app: You can use this to set the timer and cleaning modes. In addition, the robot can be controlled manually, so that you can steer it only via a particularly strong dirt track. If you prefer app control, the vacuum robot must of course be WLAN-enabled.
- Automatic charging: As soon as the lithium-ion battery is empty, the vacuum robot navigates automatically to its charging station.
- Cleaning modes: For example Eco-mode, Spot-mode, Zig-Zack-mode, straight driving or wall tracking. Special programs such as the Max mode with high suction power for carpets or animal hair are also available with some vacuum cleaner robots.
Vacuum robot, wiping robot, cleaning robot
The names already say it: A vacuum robot sucks, a wiping robot wipes the floor moist. If you need both, you can find the suction-wipe robot, often also under cleaning robots. Please note that for robotic cleaners and suction-wipe robots, the water tank must be filled with water and cleaning agents manually and the wipers must be changed. The three robot types are very similar in their functions.
Our practical tip: Industrial vacuum robots provide maximum performance
There are specially designed models with the corresponding performance for industrial rooms and halls. Here everything is somewhat larger: Dirt containers, battery life and brushes are designed to drive through large halls. The smart industrial vacuum robots warn of almost full dirt containers and navigate safely through the premises thanks to their sensors.
Advantages and disadvantages of the suction robots
Advantages:
- Sucks independantly, even in absence.
- Sucks under furniture and sofas. This protects the back and the knee.
- Does not require a vacuum cleaner bag, was it cost-saving and environmentally friendly.
- Easy to store due to its small size.
- Easy to clean as brushes and dirt containers can be removed.
- The often complicated handling with the vacuum cleaner is no longer necessary.
- Easy control with WLAN-enabled models via app.
- Economical consumption through lithium-ion battery.
- Furniture does not get scratches or dents due to the rubber coating at the appropriate places of the robot, as it usually does not touch anything more gently.
- Is suitable for almost all hard floors, for example laminate, linoleum, parquet, tiles, PVC, but also for low-floor carpets.
- In the business area, the costs can be written off.
- Vacuum robots are not only available in private rooms. Offices can also be cleaned in this way.
Disadvantages:
- Because of the low power compared to conventional vacuum cleaners, vacuum robots cannot completely replace them. Especially areas with many furniture, in corners, joints or under low furniture often still have to be vacuumed manually. However, it is no longer necessary as the robot has done preliminary work.
- For high-pile carpets, the cleaning power of the robots is usually too low. Many models can't climb such high carpets at all. Therefore, pay attention to the manufacturer's specifications.
- Some vacuum robots get tangled in cables or pull objects connected to the cable. However, there are now models that detect loose cables and bypass them.
Our practical tip: Draw boundaries
The purchase of a vacuum robot is the chance to clean up before its first use. Clothing, bags or toys must be kept away from the ground. These can prevent the suction robot from moving on. It could also get stuck or eat small parts. Floor-to-ceiling curtains, cords and cables have not lost anything on the floor. In the worst case, the vacuum robot will hang or tear lamps or notebooks on their cables.
It is best not to leave your new vacuum cleaner robot alone during the first few trips. As you observe it, you will see other difficult areas.
If the vacuum robot is to permanently avoid entire rooms that are untidy or complete, limitations help. These are either magnetic tapes, barriers from infrared light or virtual no-go areas defined in the smartphone app. These stop the vacuum cleaner robot so that it moves in a different direction.
Purchase criteria: Which suction robot suits me?
Many who decide to buy a robot enter completely new territory. When selecting the right appliance, the individual experience that you could gain with a vacuum cleaner over a long period of time is missing. Therefore, we will explain to you the most important features that you should consider below. We are also looking at vacuum robots for the industrial sector.
Thanks to its sensors, the suction robot stops in time.
Sensors prevent objects from being hit.
Sensors: These are important because they avoid collisions with furniture, crashes over steps or the hanging on the door sleepers. The more sensors a vacuum cleaner robot has, the more accurate it usually is to detect space and avoid collision.
Cleaning modes: Different cleaning modes are an advantage. In this way, in addition to the conventional cleaning mode, special programs such as the spot mode or the wall tracking can be set. In this way, specific areas can be vacuumed.
Battery life: Depends on the size of the R.
The battery life of the same model is quite different in terms of the size and condition of the floor. For example, if the floor is largely carpeted, the suction robot uses significantly more energy than bare hard floors, while the driving speed is reduced. In these cases, the robot may not be able to handle the entire area with one battery charge. Under normal circumstances, they last for about 30 to 120 minutes, depending on the model. Vacuum cleaner robots for use in industrial applications are more powerful from the start, as the surfaces are often larger. Here, the battery lasts up to 200 minutes.
Area: Depending² on the manufacturer's specifications, conventional vacuum cleaner robots create between 40 and 180 m per battery charge. High-quality devices are able to drive back to their charging station during the suction process as soon as the battery tips to the end. After charging, these devices begin where they left off. The powerful industrial vacuum robots create up to 500 m².
Our practical tip: Reduce surface area
If you notice that your robot does not completely create the surface to be sucked in, it is recommended to reduce the surface. For example, on the first day you put it in the living room and close the door to the other rooms or build a virtual wall. On the second day the bathroom is on, on the third day the bedroom, and so on.
Duration of cleaning: Suction robots that navigate according to the chaos principle tend to take longer than devices that map the room and move off in ordered lines. The chaos principle ensures that the robot cleans some parts twice or three times. Good for the cleanliness, bad for the duration of the cleaning. An orderly descent is faster, but each point is only passed once.
Volume: In this factor, the suction robots are usually between 50 and 70 dB(A). If the vacuum cleaner robot does its job during your absence, this factor is not so decisive. However, if it runs when you are at home or if your pet is alone with the robot, a quieter model is the better, nerve-saving choice.
Timer function: No need, but comfortable. This allows the robot to be programd in such a way that, for example, it rotates its rounds through the home daily or weekly at the same time. You don't need to remember to turn it on.
Brushes: Among other things, the number of different brushes is decisive for the degree of cleanliness. Roller brushes are located under the device and carry the dirt toward the suction opening. Some robot models have a roller brush, others have two.
The equipment with side brushes also makes sense. Because through their round shape, suction robots are difficult to get into corners. The side brushes protruding from underneath the appliance make it easier to reach these places. Here too, there are models with one or two side brushes.
Capacity of the dirt container: It is generally recommended to empty the dirt container after each use. However, the volume of the container should be at least large enough to provide continuity. Vacuum robots have a capacity of up to 0.6 liters, industrial models of about 2.5 liters.
Accessories for vacuum cleaner robots
If you have had your vacuum robot for a long time, it makes sense to replace the worn brushes and filters. These are to be ordered individually as well as in different service kits. If the battery does not last as long as it was at the beginning after a few years, some manufacturers offer a replacement here as well.
Virtual walls are also a useful tool. The aim is to exclude areas temporarily or permanently from the robot's cleaning area. Manufacturers use various techniques for this purpose, such as infrared sensors or magnetic tapes. If you have an app-controlled device, you can also define so-called no-go lines in the app for some devices that can be changed flexibly.
The virtual wall protects the feeding of the pets.
Virtual walls can narrow the area.
The charging station to which the appliance returns after cleaning or when the battery is empty is usually included in the scope of delivery of the robot vacuum cleaner. There he docks and charges his battery. Remote controls can often be ordered here or separately.
Conclusion: What was the suction robot?
Vacuum cleaner robots are wonderful for the (daily) basic cleaning of the soil and justify their purchase. In order to clean corners, joints, high-pile carpets and the areas behind or under some pieces of furniture, the vacuum cleaner is usually still the better device. Due to their lower suction power they are not at the same performance level as vacuum cleaners. Nevertheless, they are ideal for having a permanently clean floor in the home and in the office, without using the vacuum cleaner every day.