In modern society, robotic vacuum cleaners have grown to become efficient assistants in household cleaning. The development of these intelligent devices can be traced back several decades. Moreover, In recent years, with the rapid advancement of technology, robotic vacuum cleaners have made significant progress in terms of functionality and performance. This article will introduce the history of robotic vacuum cleaners.
Evolution of Robotic Vacuum Cleaners
In the 1990s, the first robotic vacuum cleaner was born, but its capabilities were limited to simple movements on the floor, basic vacuuming, and dust collection, with low intelligence.
In 2002, a milestone year, iRobot introduced the Roomba, a truly domestic robotic vacuum cleaner. It adopted a random bump-and-go cleaning mode, with its main navigation technology relying on ultrasonic and gyroscope sensors. It marked the beginning of increased intelligence.
In 2005, iRobot released the Scooba, a mopping robot, which added the function of mopping while vacuuming.
By 2010, technological innovation led to the introduction of SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) navigation technology in robotic vacuum cleaners. SLAM utilizes various sensors like LIDAR, cameras, and ultrasonic sensors to perceive the surrounding environment, construct real-time maps, and determine the robot’s position on the map. This allows the robot to continuously update and adjust its position and recognize the location of walls, furniture, and other obstacles. Compared to the past, the intelligence level of robotic vacuum cleaners increased, and their cleaning efficiency improved significantly.
In 2015, Roborock, a subsidiary of Xiaomi, entered the robotic vacuum cleaner market with a robot equipped with LIDAR technology and global planning algorithms. Its price was more than 50% lower than similar products, at approximately $250. This marked the moment when robotic vacuum cleaners became more affordable and cost-effective.
In 2017, hackers breached the cameras on some robotic vacuum cleaners, raising privacy concerns and becoming one of the factors considered by consumers when purchasing such products.
In 2019, manufacturers began to equip robotic vacuum cleaners with docking stations, leading to increased intelligence and enhanced functionality, including concepts such as automatic emptying and automatic cloth cleaning.
Summary
From the history of robot vacuum cleaners, Compared to previous generations, modern robotic vacuum cleaners have become more intelligent and feature-rich. They can autonomously navigate, intelligently plan cleaning paths, and Self-Drying and Self-Cleaning together. These innovations have made robotic vacuum cleaners more efficient in completing household cleaning tasks, enabling people to enjoy a tidier home environment with ease.
techTongBo (also named: Nanjing TongBo / NJTB) is a Chinese company specializing in the manufacture and sales of vacuum cleaner accessories. We offer replacement accessories for the global market that are compatible with mainstream vacuum cleaner brands and have stronger price advantages.
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