STACK #251 September 2025

FLOOR CARE

TECH FEATURE

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Robot vacuums have come a long way from bumping into walls and randomly roaming your home. Nowadays, they’re smarter, versatile, and more hands-off than ever. From sparkling tiles to tangle-free brushes, here’s what’s fresh in the realm of robot vacuums. Words Scott Hocking What’s new in robot VACUUM TECH

Those equipped with AI-powered obstacle recognition can actually “see” and identify things like cords and toys, and then steer around them. Some top-tier robot vacs can also negotiate high-pile carpets or a raised threshold between rooms, using retractable wheels or legs to smoothly glide across uneven surfaces. No more tangles If you’ve ever flipped over a vacuum and found a bird’s nest of hair tangled in the brush, you’re not alone.

The latest robot vacs are tackling this common problem with clever anti-tangle designs like angled bristles, comb-style teeth, or conical rollers that actively prevent hair from wrapping around the brush. It all gets whisked straight into the dustbin, with no scissors required. Getting the edge on edges One of the biggest gripes with older robot vacs was how they struggled to clean along walls, in corners, and narrow spaces. But many of today’s models are designed to get right into those tricky spots. Some use 3D mapping to scan edges so they can clean close without banging into furniture or walls. Others can have retractable side brushes or mop extensions to reach right into corners, so no spots are missed.

Better mopping Remember when you had to vacuum, then mop? Not anymore. Vacuum-and-mop combo models can do both jobs at once. These robot vacs not only suck up dust and crumbs, but can also tackle those sticky spots and spills using spinning roller mops that scrub instead of just dragging a damp cloth across the floor, evenly distributing water for better cleaning and less streaking.

AI integration Like most tech these days, AI is also being integrated into robot vacuums, making them smarter at avoiding obstacles, boosting navigation, and enhancing cleaning and energy efficiency.

An AI-enabled robot vac can better map a floor plan and also learn to adapt to the layout of your home, should you add a new piece of furniture or a pot plant it now needs to dodge. Improved obstacle avoidance Early robot vacs were pretty good at dodging furniture and stopping before they tumbled down stairs, but newer models take navigation to a whole new level.

Even better, you won’t have to deal with a gross, soggy mop afterward. Many of the latest models can automatically clean their mop pads when they return to the dock, and some even rinse as they mop for an even more hygienic clean.

Can a robot vacuum be your main floor cleaner? Absolutely! Robot vacuums aren’t just novelty devices anymore – they are seriously good at what they do. Many high-end models can boast suction power over 20,000 Pascals (Pa) –comparable to traditional stick vacuums. And with intelligent navigation, scheduled cleaning, auto-empty bins, and advanced roller mopping, they’re more than capable of handling day-to-day messes. While you might still want to break out the big vacuum for deep spring-cleaning, for everyday upkeep, a quality robot vacuum can totally be your go-to floor cleaner.

16 SEPTEMBER 2025

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