STACK #245 March 2025

TECH FEATURE

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ROBOT VACUUMS 101

Let’s be honest – nobody really enjoys vacuuming. It’s a household chore we tolerate because we have to. But robot vacuums have changed that, and they’ve come a long way, making floor cleaning easier and more efficient than ever. So, if you’ve ever dreamed of kicking back while a little robot vacuums for you, keep reading. Words Bec Summer

M ost robot vacuums share a similar floors, sucking up dirt and debris while you go about your day. But while they may all look alike, what’s inside can make a big difference in design –round, flat, and fairly compact. They’re built to glide across your

Newer models can also feature self-cleaning mops to save you maintenance time and keep your floors fresh and hygienic. Smart stuff Most robot vacuums today can be connected to smart home systems, making them easier to control than ever. You can schedule cleanings, set up virtual or physical boundaries and no-go zones, check on cleaning remotely, and even start a cleaning session with a simple voice command: Just say “Hey Google, start the vacuum,” and watch the magic happen. More freedom, less effort

how well they perform. Random roamers

equipped with sensors that detect stairs and drops. The latest robot vac tech has advanced obstacle avoidance even further, with retractable legs to negotiate small steps and uneven surfaces, and AI-powered obstacle recognition (see page 30). Mopping up If you’re worried about a vacuum mopping your carpet, don’t be! Most combo vacuum-mop models can automatically detect the difference between hard and soft surfaces, ensuring your rugs and carpets stay dry.

If you’ve ever seen a basic, entry-level robot vacuum in action, you’ll know they operate on a simple principle: move forward until something gets in the way, then turn and continue in another direction. They follow no particular pattern and roam across your floors until their battery runs low and they return to their charging dock. It’s not the most efficient method, but it still gets the job done. Laser navigation More advanced models take things up a notch. They use laser mapping to scan your home and create a virtual layout of the space to clean in a systematic pattern, covering every inch of your floors instead of just gliding aimlessly. Obstacle avoidance Many robot vacs can cleverly identify what’s in their way – be it furniture, pets, or stray toys – and navigate around them with ease, and are

At the end of the day, the biggest advantage of robot vacs is the freedom they provide. Instead of spending time and energy vacuuming, you can let technology handle it while you focus on things you enjoy. Robot vacuums help make life a little easier, one clean floor at a time.

26 MARCH 2025

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