In this article, we would be looking at how robot vacuums work. But first, let's know the basics of a Robot vacuum.

Currently, they are a ton of models of Smart (robotic) vacuums out there today. Their prices? Well, they range from $50 to about $1,900 (Very true). These type of vacuums are usually lower in height than traditional vacuums, these simply mean they can get under objects a regular vacuum cleaner would find it hard to or simply can't

Most vacuum manufacturers usually say that a robotic vacuum is built to improve upon, the regular human-engineered vacuum cleaner, not necessarily to replace it. They are mainly built for people who are rarely at home or have back pain, they would perform daily or weekly cleaning to keep your home tidied without you lifting a finger.

Now we know the purpose of robot vacuums, let’s explore the mechanism these machines use to effectively clean your household.

How do they work?

Robot vacuums glide through with “Sensors”

To clean your room properly, a robot would have to move freely around the space while avoiding blockages and obstructions. You have to understand that they don't view the world the way we do, though they may have a camera on board.

What they use are various sensors that help in detecting incoming hazards or obstacles and measure the distance covered while they discover new segments to cover. These sensors are built-in code in an imperative paradigm that details every scenario that causes conditional behavior. Now the thing is each manufacturer uses different sensors and they vary by model and the manufacturer.

Listed below are sensors that Robot vacuums subscribe, though they may vary from model to model, they are familiar to all.

Object sensors

From the way robots look at things, our homes are mapped as an array of objects, that represents coffee tables, chair legs, stray toys, and sofas. These sensors are usually located at the core center or close to the vacuum's shock-absorbing bouncer, which enables it to maneuver through the objects or obstructions without getting bucked down.

When the bouncer collides an object, the sensor gets fired and the robot vacuum senses to divert and move away until an open path is found. Now note that there's no set direction it takes, it solely depends on where the bouncer touches the object in view. For instance, if the robot vacuum hits an object with its left side, then by design it goes to its right and vice versa. 

But to maneuver around these objects can sometimes leave strips on the floor. So to reduce this defect – manufacturers, not all, take different solution when coming in contact with obstacles. For instance, a product like iRobot Roomba would slow down as it moves towards an object.

Steep sensors

Stairs happen to be the toughest menace for robot vacuums; a trip could wreck damages to the vacuum and whatever on its path, even you. It's for this reason steep sensors are a requirement for all robot vacuums.

Here’s how steep sensors work: they usually measure the distance from the steep to the floor by frequent transfer of infrared signals to the surface. If when climbing the robot doesn’t get the infrared signals immediately it thinks it has reached the pinnacle of the stair and may want to change the spot or direction of movement.

Wall Sensors

Clearly, from their label, you could be thinking they protect the robot vacuum from high impacts on walls. Well think again, their purpose is to identify walls, with the same infrared light, so instead of any collision, they learn to move along them. This also allows them to clean the edges and corners where both the wall and floor meet.

All this happens without bumping or scraping the wall as it is done with manual vacuums. N.B: models using mapping technology, their wall sensors supplements to the robot vacuum by moving intelligently to new segments so it can be cleaned.

Wheel sensors

This sensor can be used to measure the rotation of the wheel and then the distance covered.

In Conclusion

Did you enjoy reading this article? Was it helpful enough?

You should note that no robot vacuum would navigate perfectly every single time. sometimes you would have to extract from underneath your couch deep or detangle them from wires laying around in your home.

The ability to clean your surfaces effectively with is more important the navigation process, and all this happens with little to no effort from your end.

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Do you have any question on how effective your robot vacuum can be? Or do you have any suggestion? Please let us know in the comments ~Remember sharing is caring! ~