The Age of Intelligent Vacuums
Above: The Roomba Discovery is a spot-on cleaning machine
Rev up those Roombas because it’s Consumer Robot week here at Robotic Revolutions!
In 1999, Ray Kurzweil wrote “The Age of Spiritual Machines,” which predicts “household robots [will] have emerged [in 2009], but are not yet fully accepted.” In 2002, iRobot released the Roomba, a robotic vacuum cleaner, which is helping Kurzweil’s prediction come true.
The Roomba is a 13-inch circular robot vacuum cleaner that uses simple algorithms, such as spiral cleaning and wall-follow to automate the monotonous task of floor sweeping. The Roomba has enjoyed moderate success, having sold over 2 million units. In fact, Kurweil’s prediction may be proven on the backs and dustbins of the Roomba.
Credit for the volume of Roombas sold is its reasonable price and reliable service. I purchased my Roomba about a year ago for less than $200 and have no complaints about its operation. It is not the smartest robot around, but it gets the job done.
The Electrolux Trilobite is another robotic vacuum, but as different from the Roomba as a Dyson vacuum is to a standard model. To begin, the Trilobite costs close to $1,500, but as they say, you get what you pay for.
The Trilobite uses advanced sensors and computing to sketch a map in its memory, which it uses to complete it’s task. Even while vacuuming, the Trilobite monitors the area in front of it, stopping an inch short of all obstacles in its path. Compare this to the Roomba, which rolls around the room, mindlessly bumping into walls, chairs and tables, adjusting its course as needed. It is clear the Trilobite is fair more advanced. But ultimately, either of these robots should be a welcome addition to any household.