How Do AI-Powered Robot Vacuum Cleaners Work in a Smart Home?
Between 2014 and 2021, the global robot vacuum cleaner market more than tripled in value, increasing from 0.95 billion to 4.48 billion dollars, according to Statista. Interestingly, it shows no signs of slowing down. Robot vacuum cleaners are automated devices used to remove dirt and debris from various types of floor surfaces. These smart devices boast advanced technology that enables them to suck up dirt, mop, navigate your home, avoid obstacles, and return to charging when they are done or when the battery is low.
These robot vacuum cleaners represent a significant advancement in consumer electronics, driven by intelligent systems and high-end technology. Equipped with sensors, algorithms, and connectivity features, they not only perform cleaning tasks autonomously but also adapt to various environments, enhancing the user experience in connected homes.
1. Navigation System
Robot vacuum cleaners are equipped with navigation systems that enable them to move around your house with ease. There are different types of navigation systems such as LiDAR-based (source), sensor-based, and camera-based navigation systems. With these systems, smart vacuums can create a map of your entire house, including areas that have been cleaned and those that have yet to be cleaned. You can even set no-go zones, and thanks to advanced sensors, smart vacuums are fully capable of avoiding fragile furniture, cables, or carpets.
What’s great is that these navigation systems also allow you to save areas that you have cleaned so that the robot vacuum can remember them for the next cleaning session. The difference between the more premium smart vacuums and basic models is seen in the precision of the navigation systems they use.
2. Smart Sensors
Smart vacuums are also equipped with various types of sensors to help them detect and avoid obstacles in their path. Some types of sensors include cliff sensors, which detect when they come to the edge of a surface, like stairs or tables, and object sensors, typically located on the bumper, to prevent collisions with objects in their path.
Others include wall sensors and wheel sensors that help determine the direction the robot is moving. Most of these sensors work by emitting signals, then measuring the time and distance it takes for the signal to return to the sensor. Using this information, smart vacuums can navigate your home safely and precisely without getting stuck. This data is also sent to the microprocessor of the robot, which directs the next steps to take.
3. Automated Processes
Powered by AI, smart vacuums have unlocked the ability to work without human input, providing a truly hands-free experience of cleaning while at work, relaxing, or spending time on a hobby.
Cleaning is not the only thing they can do without human intervention. These smart devices can empty themselves, return to their charging dock to recharge, and resume cleaning when ready. Some advanced models even include mops, allowing them to clean any type of surface with hot water, a very convenient feature for pet owners.
When smart vacuums encounter dirt, they can detect and suck it up. If the pile of dirt is larger, they are also able to decide to increase the suction power to suck in more dirt. Robot vacuum cleaners indeed represent automation in its finest and most efficient form. And statistics have confirmed that one of the major reasons (source) people purchase robot vacuum cleaners is their ability to operate without human intervention.
This automation process also makes robot vacuums ideal for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
4. Seamless Integration
What is the point of automation if it cannot integrate seamlessly with other devices and systems? Robot vacuum cleaners extend their functionality by integrating not just with popular apps, but also with home assistant systems such as Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit. By linking with these assistants, users can control their devices using voice commands through Siri or Alexa, or through apps installed on their mobile phones.
This integration allows for the effortless management of cleaning tasks, and users can initiate, schedule, or pause cleaning sessions from anywhere globally with just a tap. Moreover, the AI-driven capabilities enable them to learn and adapt to the home’s layout and cleaning preferences, further enhancing their efficiency and the user experience in smart homes.
5. Cleaning System
Smart vacuums leverage advanced technology to maintain a high level of cleanliness across various floor types. Whether you have hardwood floors, carpets, or linoleum, these devices incorporate sensors, brushes, and bins that work collaboratively to detect and remove dirt and debris from any surface.
AI-driven dirt sensors are particularly crucial, as they not only detect dirt but also adjust the vacuum’s cleaning intensity based on the amount of debris encountered. Different models offer various bin capacities, influencing the frequency of required emptying. Additionally, many models feature adaptable cleaning modes tailored for specific flooring types.