A Brief History of Robotic Vacuums

Best Robot Vacuum

The man credited with inventing the robot vacuum is James Dizon, who sold the rights to Electrolux.  In 1996, Electrolux introduced the first robotic vacuum cleaner to the market. However, it failed to capture the market.

It wasn’t until 2002 that iRobot launched Roomba. Roomba was capable of changing directions and could detect dirty spots on the floor. It could also negotiate stairways.

In 2001, Dyson demonstrated the DC06 but it was too expensive for the market. Then in 2004, three years later, iRobot achieved one million units in sales.

Ten years later, in 2014, Dyson introduced the Dyson 360 Eye with a 360 degree camera and double suction.

2015 saw the introduction of “Sooba’, a robot machine that was capable of scrubbing floors.. then in 2016, iRobot released the “Dirt Dog” that was able to clean up doggie debris.

Following on from the Dirt Dog, the iRobot Braava 380T was introduced and was capable of sweeping and mopping at the same time. This unit had extended battery life and a “North Star” GPS style navigation.

Hand held vacuum cleaner

What is the advantage of a robotic vacuum cleaner?

In comparison to traditional vacuum cleaners, robot vacuums are relatively quiet and take much less space to store.

But the main advantage is convenience.

We recently became proud owners of a Mi Robot Vacuum manufactured in China by Roborock Technology.

robot vacuum reviews
“Dusty”

The Mi Robot Vacuum is an intelligent cleaner fitted with a high precision laser distance sensor that can create a map of your home and calculate a precise cleaning route as it goes. It works its way methodically around the selected area and automatically navigates back to the charging dock when it is finished.  All you have to do is empty it.

We named the unit “Dusty”. Dusty can be left to clean the floors of our house while we attend to other more important matters. A mobile phone app allows Dusty to be controlled and monitored from anywhere that there is internet access.

My wife says…

“We love our new pet Dusty!  It is very quiet, maps out each room first, then goes about vacuuming the floor, carpet, tiles and wood.  It does the lot with quiet ease. One chore I always hated doing was vacuuming. Now it’s so easy, I just press the start and it’s off.

​We no longer have to crouch down and awkwardly manoeuvre the vacuum pipe, cords and hose around and under the beds and and under chairs. The Mi Robot vacuum does it all for you while you are out shopping or getting on with other more enjoyable things”.

2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop

​The Mi handbook claims that from now on we will be freed from boring household chores and can start enjoying life.