Robotic vacuum cleaner#Open-source designs

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In 1956, the American science fiction author Robert A. Heinlein described the concept of a robotic vacuum cleaner with a recharging dock in his novel The Door into Summer: "Basically it was just a better vacuum cleaner .... It went quietly looking for dirt all day long, in search curves that could miss nothing .... Around dinner time it would go to its stall and soak up a quick charge."{{cite book |last=Heinlein |first=Robert A |title=The Door into Summer |date=1957 |publisher=Signet |location=New York |pages=20–21}} The following year engineer Donald Moore filed a patent for robotic appliances, including a sweeper, that could follow a track laid below the floor. Whirlpool demonstrated the concept at the 1959 American National Exhibition but did not bring it to market.{{cite web|last=Novak|first=Matt|title=This American Expo Invaded Russia With Shiny New Tech in 1959|work=Paleofuture|date=July 24, 2014|url=https://paleofuture.com/blog/2014/7/24/the-all-american-expo-that-invaded-cold-war-russia|access-date=2023-11-23}}

In 1969 an episode of The Avengers was broadcast in which the character Inge Tilson played by Dora Reisser says "...I saw a demonstration once. A robot vacuum cleaner. It swept around the house, went back into its cupboard, automatically plugged in and recharged itself...". The teleplay for this episode which was entitled "Thingumajig" was written by Terry Nation. It was episode 27 of Season 7.{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0516947/|title=The Avengers Thingumajig (TV Episode 1969)|website=IMDb}}

In 1985, Tomy released the Dustbot as a part of their Omnibot line of toys. Dustbot was the first robot to feature a built in vacuum, and was able to turn when it sensed an edge or ran into something. Dustbot would carry a mini broom and dustpan for decoration.{{Cite web|url=http://www.theoldrobots.com/dustbot.html|title=The Old Robots Dustbot}}{{Cite web|url=http://cyberneticzoo.com/early-service-robots/1985-tomy-dustbot-japanese/|title=1985 Tomy Dustbot Japanese|date=30 August 2013}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.hightechscience.org/dustbot_robot.htm|title=Dustbot Robot}}

In 1990, three roboticists, Colin Angle, Helen Greiner, and Rodney Brooks, founded iRobot.{{Cite web|url=http://fortune.com/2013/11/29/the-history-of-the-roomba/|title=the history of the roomba}} It was originally dedicated to making robots for military and domestic use. It launched the Roomba in 2002, which was able to change direction when it encountered an obstacle, detect dirty spots on the floor, and identify steep drops to keep it from falling down stairs. The Roomba proved to be the first commercially successful robot vacuum.{{Cite web|title=Why are iRobot's new Roombas so damn expensive?|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/why-are-irobots-new-roombas-so-damn-expensive/|last=Bennett|first=Brian|website=CNET|access-date=2020-05-17}} In 2005, iRobot introduced the Scooba, which scrubbed hard floors.

In 1996, Electrolux introduced the first robotic vacuum cleaner, the Electrolux Trilobite.{{cite web|title=Invention of Robotic Vacuum Cleaners|url=http://www.vacuumcleanerhistory.com/vacuum-cleaner-development/history-of-robotic-vacuum-cleaner/|website=Vacuum Cleaner History|access-date=2018-03-05}} It worked well but had frequent problems with colliding with objects and stopping short of walls and other objects, as well as leaving small areas not cleaned. As a result, it failed in the market and was discontinued. In 1997, one of Electrolux's first versions of the Trilobite vacuum was featured on the BBC's science program, Tomorrow's World.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3031219.stm |title=Robot cleaner hits the shops |work=BBC News |date=16 May 2003}}

In 2001, Dyson built and demonstrated a robot vacuum known as the DC06. However, due to its high price, it was never released to the market.{{cite web|url=http://mashable.com/2014/02/12/dyson-robot-vacuum-vision/|title=Dyson Wants to Build a Robot Vacuum that Can See|first=Lance|last=Ulanoff|website=Mashable |date=13 February 2014}} Electrolux released the Trilobite robotic vacuum cleaner. The Robotic vacuum cleaner launched at a price of $1,800.00. There were two models: the ZA1 and the ZA2.

In 2010, Neato Robotics introduced the XV-11, one of the first robot vacuums to utilize laser-based mapping that allowed for navigation in systematic straight lines rather than random navigation.{{cite web |last=Stevens |first=Tim |url=https://www.engadget.com/2010-08-24-neato-xv-11-robotic-vacuum-review.html |title=Neato XV-11 robotic vacuum review |date=August 24, 2010 |work=Engadget |access-date=2025-05-28}}{{Cite web|title=Neato XV-11 review {{!}} 22 facts and highlights|url=https://versus.com/en/neato-xv-11|access-date=2021-05-12|website=VERSUS}}

In 2015, Dyson and iRobot both introduced camera-based mapping.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnet.com/products/dyson-360-eye/|title=Deluxe brand Dyson creates its first robot vacuum, the 360 Eye|date=2014-09-04|access-date=2015-09-26}}{{Cite web|title=iRobot Brings Visual Mapping and Navigation to the Roomba 980|url=https://spectrum.ieee.org/irobot-brings-visual-mapping-and-navigation-to-the-roomba-980|date=16 Sep 2015|website=IEEE Spectrum: Technology, Engineering, and Science News|access-date=2020-05-17}}

In 2016, iRobot claimed that 20% of vacuum cleaners sales worldwide were robots.{{cite web |last=Etherington |first=Darrell |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/11/07/irobot-says-20-percent-of-the-worlds-vacuums-are-now-robots/ |title=iRobot says 20 percent of the world's vacuums are now robots |work=TechCrunch |date=7 November 2016 |access-date=2020-05-17 |archive-date=2025-04-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250413075029/https://techcrunch.com/2016/11/07/irobot-says-20-percent-of-the-worlds-vacuums-are-now-robots/ |url-status=live}}

As of 2018, obstacles such as dog feces, cables and shoes remain very difficult for robots to navigate around.{{Cite news|last=Solon|first=Olivia|date=2016-08-15|title=Roomba creator responds to reports of 'poopocalypse': 'We see this a lot'|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/aug/15/roomba-robot-vacuum-poopocalypse-facebook-post|access-date=2020-05-17|issn=0261-3077}}{{cite web|author1=Bryan Heater|title=PerceptIn has raised $11 million to help robotic vacuums and self-driving cars see|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/12/06/perceptin-has-raised-11-million-to-help-robotic-vacuums-and-self-driving-cars-see|website=TechCrunch|access-date=2018-05-25|date=2017-12-06}}

{{Original research section|date=July 2019}}

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Robotic vacuums have different types of cleaning modes, enabling the robot target specific areas or work more generally, and to function either under direct human control or automatically.

Some models can also mop for wet cleaning, autonomously vacuuming and wet-mopping a floor in one pass (sweep and mop combo).

The mop is either manually wet before attachment to the bottom of the robot or the robot may be able to automatically spray water on to the floor before running over it.

Some advanced robot vacuum cleaners have a sensor that detects and avoids mopping in carpeted areas. However, if there is no sensor, most of the robot vacuum cleaner manufacturers add a no-mop zone feature in the app to make robot vacuums to avoid certain areas to clean. These robot vacuums are also capable to mop about {{Convert|150|m2|abbr=on}} in one go.

File:Neato_XV-11.jpg

;Anti-drop: Most robots include anti-drop and anti-bump IR sensors.

;Connected app: Some models allow control of the unit using an app over a WiFi connection from the user's smartphone or connected home automation device, e.g. Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant.

;Software upgrades: Some units are able to receive over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates.

;HEPA filters: HEPA air filters are industry-standard now{{As of?|date=March 2023}} for robot vacuum cleaners. These remove dust and pollen from the air.

;Video camera, speakers, microphone: Some units can be used to record and monitor their surroundings as a mobile, internet connected security camera. Make voice or video calls, act as alarms and have voice command functionality.

;Self cleaning: Some units have dustbin self emptying via another vacuum in the charging station. Mop self wash, scrub, auto clean water refill and dirty water sucked into grey water tank. No user interaction needed for weeks or months at a time.

;Names: some units can be named and will respond to said name.

{{Portal|Technology}}

• Automated pool cleaner
• Comparison of domestic robots
• Domestic robots
• Mobile robot
• Open-source robotics
• Robotic mapping
• Wireless sensor network

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Category:Cleaning

Category:Home automation