IRobot has announced its new product, an improved version of the Roomba vacuum cleaner on Wednesday, Sept.16. The new version is called Roomba 980, and the circular, disk-like device boasts of new technologies which will give users better experience in cleaning their homes. The vacuum cleaning robot sports an internal mapping feature, one of the new key functions of the device.
The feature alone may not seem appealing enough to potential users, but according to Wall Street Journal, other improvements in the device include Wi-fi connectivity and app control. The iAdapt system which powers the device enables it to clean entire rooms in the house. Also, if the older versions of the robot vacuum cleaner were not able to move without zigzagging along the way, the Roomba 980 is able to walk straight.
The new device is also able to pass through narrow paths. The Roomba 980 has a built-in camera which enables better navigation for the device and prevents it from bumping into things along the way. Even the device has a camera, the feature is not a cause for privacy concerns because footages do not get transmitted anywhere else. The 980 version is IRobot's first robot vacuum cleaner with internet connection. The device can be controlled with the use of smartphones, even when the owner is not at home.
The device can be controlled using both Android and iOS smartphones. Thus, the feature allows users to schedule cleaning sessions for the robot. According to Dispatch Times, home owners can even look at the device's cleaning history via their smartphones. The Roomba 980 can be scheduled to clean seven times a week -- returning to its base inside the house automatically to recharge. After recharging, it resumes its cleaning session.
Roomba 980 will be on sale beginning on Friday, Sept. 18. The new product retails for $899. IRobot is a leading maker of home robots. To date, the company has sold more than 14 million robots worldwide.
