How Do Robot Vacuums Work?

Trying to figure out the question, “How do robot vacuums work?” or “How long do robot vacuums last?” These marvelous machines are a great example of how far technology has come since the vacuum cleaner was first invented. Figuring out how they work is a great step in the right direction for investing in your very own robotic cleaning system. Additionally, always invest in a higher-end vacuum cleaner if you can.

How Do Robot Vacuums Work?

These vacuums work in the same way that regular vacuum cleaners work, and are quite similar to how a central vacuum works. The big difference is that robotic vacuum cleaners are able to navigate on their own. That is, of course, a handy feature to have when you are busy enough to need to schedule cleanings. Having trouble maintaining a cleaning cycle for your home? Robot vacuums might be the answer you need.

How Robot Vacuums Navigate

Since the biggest difference between traditional vacuums and robot vacuums is the latter’s ability to self-operate, that’s what we’ll be focusing on. There are a couple of different ways that robot vacuums find their way around: sensors and smart-mapping.

Explaining Sensors

Your robot vacuum will come with a variety of sensors used in the pursuit of finding their way around your home. Here are a few of the sensors that they use:

• Cliff Sensors: Using an infra-red light on the floor, the vacuum will figure out if there is a sudden drop in front of them. This keeps them from falling off of stairs or ledges
• Bump Sensors: Once your robot bumps into a wall or object, its bump sensor will activate to keep it from trying to go in that same direction and bumping into the obstacle again.
• Wall Sensors: A wall sensor works similarly to a cliff sensor. Instead of looking for drop-offs, it instead figures out where the wall is so the robot can travel alongside it.

Explaining Smart-Map Features

Higher-end units may come with smart-map features. These only come equipped with a smart vacuum cleaner and are a huge reason to budget for a better model.

Drawbacks of Robotic Vacuums

There are always cons to think about when it comes to the functionality of your favorite robot vacuums. While they can be marvelous at getting daily cleaning done, there are a couple of drawbacks to keep in mind. One of the biggest ones is what to do if you need robot vacuum repair, as these devices need a professional to fix them up.

Inability to Climb Stairs

Out of the dozens of robot vacuums available, none of them are able to climb stairs. This means that you will either need to move it manually or have a robot vacuum for every floor. It is hopeful in the future that engineers will find a way around this. In the meantime, make sure to plan ahead if you have multiple stories in your home.

Cannot Perform Deep Cleaning

So, how often should you vacuum? You should still have scheduled cleanings to make sure your home stays in tip-top shape. You’ll want to have a regular vacuum that can give you a deeper clean since robot vacuums just are made for cleaning efficiency rather than deep cleaning.

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