How I got a Robot to Vacuum the House

Like most people I really hated to vacuum the house. I
thought anyone who enjoyed vacuuming was close to insanity.
Well, I must be crazy too because I have started vacuuming
every few days. Why? Because I purchased a robotic vacuum
cleaner.

All you do is place it on the floor, turn it on, and push
the clean button to start it off on its cleaning odyssey. It
will circle a couple of times and then off it goes around
the room seeking out dirt and dust. Whether the floor is
carpets, hardwood, ceramic, or tiles – it does them all with
equal enthusiasm.

It is not a toy or gimmick. Rather, it is part of a new
generation of household equipment that will soon become
common. They are products that can make decisions as to how
best to accomplish a task. Not quite true artificial
intelligence, but definitely smart enough to vacuum the rugs
for you.

The two preeminent manufacturers of these vacuums are
Electrolux* and Roomba*.

The Electrolux version is probably the most sophisticated.
It incorporates eight ultrasonic sensors and some advanced
computer reasoning. It sends out a sound beam that allows it
to determine where all the objects are located in the room.
It can even find its way back to the charger when the power
levels begin to drop. Once charged, it will appear again to
continue the cleaning. When it determines the room is clean
it goes back to the charger, turns around, backs into it,
and turns itself off. This robot vacuum has been available
in Europe for a couple of years. It appears to be the most
complex of these machines and comes with a $1795 price tag.


The robot vacuum cleaner I purchased is the Roomba,
manufactured by the iRobot company. It is a simpler and much
less expensive version and carries a price tag of
approximately $249. Its round shape, bright colour, and
flashing buttons give it a futuristic look. At three inches
in height and one foot in diameter it looks like a miniature
flying sauce as it scurries across the floor.

It uses a bump-and-turn method of operation. Once
operational it goes in a straight line until it bumps into
something. Each time it encounters an obstacle it turns and
goes off in an alternate direction. If an unusually dirty
area is found the vacuum will circle until satisfied that
the area is sufficiently clean. This way dusty corners or
something such as cookie crumbs get extra attention.

These little whirling dervishes of the vacuum world can even
deal with obstacles such as stairs, thresholds, and
transitions between different flooring materials. When it
encounters the top of a staircase it will come right to the
edge, stop for a few seconds, make a reverse turn, and go
off in another direction.

Since purchasing a robot vacuum cleaner I have gone from
vacuuming once a week to every couple of days. The results
of the increased cleaning frequency are quite visible. This
little machine has put the shine back into my carpets.

The only disadvantages I have found are minor. For instance,
the dust storage bin is small. The bin should be emptied
after every few uses to prevent it from becoming full. Also
the power brush can become clogged with small bits of
debris. This is easily corrected though by disassembling the
brush and cleaning the bristles. Roomba even provides a
special comb for this job. It works quite well.

So, if like me you hate the thought of getting out the
vacuum and pushing it around the room, then consider a robot
vacuum cleaner to help you with this chore.

Ladies, do you know statistics show that 85% of household
chores are done by women. So, if you ever want to get a man
to “do” (initiate may be a better term) the vacuuming then
perhaps consider introducing him to a robot vacuum cleaner.
The first few times I used mine I sat for hours watching it
operate. I was utterly fascinated by how it traversed the
labyrinth of my main floor living areas. To the extent that
I could hardly wait for it to recharge so that I could start
it up again.

Here is an interesting idea. Since all men like gadgets, “
Why not get Dad one for fathers day ”. That way he won’t
have any excuse for not being involved with the vacuuming.
Besides, it will pay him back for the toaster he got you for
your birthday last year.


* Electrolux is a registered trademarks of AB Electrolux of
Sweden
* Roomba is a registered trademark of iRobot

About the Author

Copyright 2005 by Donald Grummett. All right reserved.
Service manager of MG Appliance Repair Services in Ottawa,
Canada. In the trade over 30 years as a technician, business
owner, and technical trainer. For more information about
appliances including FAQ, Stain guide, Recycling, and
Newsletter visit http://www.mgservices.ca