iRobot Unveils Eight New Roomba Models Featuring Advanced Lidar Navigation and Enhanced Cleaning Capabilities

iRobot caused a splash in the market with the launch of eight new Roomba models, the biggest product launch the company has ever experienced. The new models introduce a new design and feature more advanced lidar navigation and room mapping features, a feature that has been adopted by most competitors. The addition of lidar technology is reported to offer quicker mapping and better cleaning for the Roombas.
The current Roomba lineup includes the 105, 205, 405, and 505 series, ranging in cost from $299 to $999. The entry-level 105 series offers vacuum mops with an option for pairing with an auto-empty dock, while the 205 series debuts an onboard dust compactor. The premium 405 and 505 models witness the iRobot lineup include dual spinning mopping pads for the first time. These models come in black and white and will be available on pre-order on March 18th in the USA and some of Europe.
The decision to implement lidar technology was preceded by careful evaluation, as the technology has matured and is affordable enough to be included in iRobot’s product strategy. Lidar offers several advantages over the traditional camera-based navigation system, including the ability to map and clean in complete darkness and faster mapping. The technology supports more intelligent mapping on more affordable Roombas, supporting room-specific cleaning and the creation of specific clean areas and keep-out areas through the app.
All the new Roomba models come with 7,000Pa suction power and four suction levels. This is lower than some competitors, such as Roborock’s latest model with 22,000Pa, but iRobot notes that suction power is not the only consideration when it comes to performance. The new models also feature an ultrasonic carpet detection sensor, so they can automatically recognize carpets when it’s time to mop. The mopping models have three levels of water flow and iRobot’s proprietary SmartScrub feature, which was found on higher-end models before.
Inclusion of lidar technology is part of iRobot’s strategy against growing competition from Chinese manufacturers. By moving from camera-based SLAM to lidar, iRobot aims at improving navigation agility and providing a faster mapping capability, especially on higher-end offerings. A fresh iRobot application will also come with a live cleaning view that is made possible by lidar technology, and this provides more user-friendly experience and control of the cleaning.
This complete overhaul comes on the heels of a rough year for iRobot, including the passing of its founder and CEO, Colin Angle, and Amazon canceling its buyout proposal. Despite all this, the company will come back swinging with these innovative models and cutting-edge technologies. The inclusion of lidar mapping will be anticipated to enhance user satisfaction with more efficient and intelligent cleaning solutions.