Tag Archives: vacuum

Roomba update tells your robovacs to steer clear of trouble spots

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iRobot's Roomba vacuums just got an update that improves their cleaning prowess by telling them what not to do. Roomba i/s and Braava jet M6 models now have Keep Out Zones that outline specific areas they're not allowed to visit. The company sugges...

This Roomba Screams and Curses When It Bumps Into Things

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YouTuber Michael Reeves thinks that Roombas are far too calm and collected when they bump into objects. They really should be more upset. I mean it hurts when I walk into walls. Not that that happens very often. It would be nice if Roombas reacted more like I do when I stub my toe on a chair. Well, now they do. And it is pretty hilarious.

The video of the swearing Roomba has a lot of profanity, and is quite loud. If you have kids nearby, cover their virears. The days of Roombas suffering in silence is over. Now when it bumps into stuff you know it. This loud cleaning bot screams and swears when it hits walls and furniture. You can feel it’s pain. But it’s still funny.

Sure, it’s rude and crude. This little guy is pissed and in pain. I love the voice and intensity. Let’s face it, it’s about time that our robots had a voice to announce their displeasure at their lot in life. Reeves says he is humanizing the robot and it’s true. This sounds just like my dad whenever he would work on the car in the driveway.

[via Mashable via Mike Shouts]

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What does Infocuum Vacuum cleaner have that Dyson doesn’t

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Got you thinking, didn’t I? The answer is simple – eyes! No more shoving the crumbs under the carpet, because the Infocuum Vacuum has a camera mounted on the cleaning nozzle and a display near the controls, allowing you to see the garbage piled up under the sofa, carpets and other hard-to-see places. The wide-angle video camera is attached to the head and beams up the video in realtime, allowing you a clear view of that kind of trash that’s been accumulating, thus helping you to clean better.

For people like me, I guess it will make me self-aware, and pick up the popcorn when it spills on the floor and hides behind the sofa and not wait for vacuuming day!

Designers: Subin Song, Donghwan Song, Hyunji Kang & Yoongyeong Ha

A More Efficient Approach to Cleaning

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Whilst nifty robotic vacuum cleaners make a tedious and laborious task far more convenient, they are simply not as efficient as the real-deal; their inability to maneuver around complex obstacles or ascend and descend stairs leads them to require a human to return to the areas that it missed, with a more conventional vacuum. This observation led to the creation of Lizard, which aims to offer a smarter and easier cleaning experience!

The bottom section of Lizard operates as a smart robotic vacuum; the intuitive display makes controlling the compact device, a breeze. Once the cleaning is complete, Lizard will return to its home that features wireless charging. To tackle the hard-to-reach and problem areas, Lizard’s ‘tail’ can be attached. By attaching this component, the unit operates as a conventional vacuum. An ergonomically designed handle that’s paired with a display that highlights the missed areas allows the task to be carried out quickly and efficiently!

Designers: Yungi Min, Jinsu Shim, SangHyeon Na & Ikhyeon Kim

Robotic mode.

Wireless power charging.

Start!

Conventional mode.

The display shows areas that have not been cleaned.

Easy to open.

Component.

Toolkit.

Combination tool.

Crevice tool.

Mattress tool.

MIT Soft Robotic Gripper Is Part Balloon Part Vacuum Cleaner

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One day, robots will replace humans at places like Amazon where objects need to be taken from one bin and packaged in boxes for shipment. Before that can happen, we need robot arms with grippers that can handle odd objects of all sizes. Engineers from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL) have come up with one such idea.

The “Magic Ball” soft gripper uses an origami-inspired 3D printed silicon rubber skeleton inside that is very flexible. Over the top of that, the team used a balloon in some instances to create an airtight system that can contract under vacuum pressure. When the suction is applied, the gripper closes and has enough strength to lift 100 times its own weight.

The gripper is also said to be inexpensive to make. It can lift items that are 70% of its diameter and handles fragile objects with care. I wonder if they could build a version that can grip and lift larger and heavier objects.

[via VentureBeat]

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A Fresh Take on The Vacuum Cleaner

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With considerable assistance from the incredible engineers and innovators at the likes of Dyson and Vax, the domestic vacuum cleaner has seen a dramatic transformation within the past couple of decades, with power levels and capabilities increasing whilst the size and weight is reduced. However, designer Ja Heon Lee felt like there was room for improvement when it came to the ergonomics and user comfort… and thus, LVC was born!

As its name would suggest, LVC, or the Lofstrand Vacuum Cleaner has been inspired by the structure of the famous Lofstrand Crutch, which was designed to take the strain of the user’s weight off their wrists. This has led to the vacuum cleaner to carry a distinctive form and be operated into a different manner; the body of the vacuum sits above the user’s form arm, therefore taking the strain off their wrist and reducing their chances of developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome!

Designer: Ja Heon Lee