Finally, a Roomba that vacuums and mops

IRobot makes robots that vacuum. IRobot makes robots that mop. Other firms make robots that vacuum and mop. So, why doesn’t iRobot? If you had requested the corporate that query as lately as just a few weeks again, you possible would have gotten a inventory reply about not doing one thing till you are able to do it proper.

Obviously the reply is a little more nuanced. For one factor, iRobot does make a two-in-one — type of, type of, a minimum of. Thing is, it’s A) Only available in Europe and B) Apparently it’s not likely as much as the corporate’s personal exacting requirements on the subject of this type of factor — one thing co-founder and CEO Colin Angle admitted in a dialog with TechCrunch final week.

“The customer is very excited about the convenience of a two-in-one robot, so we needed to build one,” the chief says. “But, being iRobot, we needed to actually build one, as opposed to doing it in a way that doesn’t deliver on the promise. Right now, most two-in-one robots are really one-plus-one.” He contains the aforementioned Roomba in that listing.

The different fascinating wrinkle in all of that is iRobot’s lengthy historical past with mopping robots. The Scooba line dates again to 2006. The product was primarily a Roomba that swapped the particles bag for clear and soiled water tanks. It was discontinued after a decade, following iRobot’s acquisition of Evolution Robotics. That firm’s Mint robotic, which used a pad to wash flooring, finally grew to become Braava.

Image Credits: iRobot

Today, iRobot introduced the Roomba Combo j7+, the primary Roomba (with that one notable exception) to deliver two-in-one mopping and vacuuming to the favored product line. As prompt by the prolonged identify, the brand new providing is predicated on the identical {hardware} as the usual j7. The “+” refers back to the emptying dock, whereas the “Combo” is a reference to the mopping performance. Given the naming conference, it looks as if the “Combo” characteristic might be coming to further entries within the Roomba line, down the highway.

The mopping performance makes use of an arm that lowers a Braava-style pad to the ground and lifts up and lays flush on the highest of the robotic for protected stowage — and to keep away from dragging the mop on the carpet. Among different issues, the system’s on-board intelligence is ready to distinguish carpeting/rugs from hardwood/tile/linoleum.

Image Credits: iRobot

The robotic’s footprint is a bit bigger than the usual j7, partially to afford additional area for the water tank. At the second, the dock just isn’t in a position to mechanically empty the tank, because it does the vacuum bin, although that seems to be one thing the corporate is engaged on.

As you’ve no-doubt guessed, none of this comes low cost. The Combo j7+ goes up for preorder in the present day, priced at $1,099. It begins transport October 4, and also will be made obtainable with out the bin + bundle.