iRobot launches a $1,399 premium Roomba combo vacuum/mop and dock

Like many people, iRobot has a long-standing love-hate relationship with the mop. The primary Scooba system grew to become broadly accessible in 2010. Finally, nevertheless, mopping up and filling a tank with soiled water proved inefficient, and the road was ultimately phased out. The brand new line was finally Braava, which arrived as a part of its 2012 acquisition of Evolution Robotics.

That system favors a cleansing pad, which finally proved much less probably disastrous than a tank system. Regardless of what the Standells may let you know, residents of iRobot’s hometown don’t, actually, love that soiled water.

One of many firm’s longstanding holy grails is the mixture system. Comfort is paramount, combining mopping and vacuuming right into a single system. Roughly this time final yr, the corporate introduced the Roomba Combo j7+. The system makes use of a intelligent mechanical arm to maneuver the pad out of the way in which, so that you don’t by chance mop the carpet. iRobot expanded the road a few weeks again with an improved j7+, together with the Roomba Combo i5+, which lowers the value level $250, right down to $549.

Right now the agency is saying yet one more SKU. The Roomba j9+ is kind of steep, at $899 for the Roomba and $1,399 for Roomba and dock.

“The Roomba Combo j9+ robotic vacuum and mop reigns supreme in its class, designed to sort out grime, pet fur and particles with unmatched precision,” the corporate writes. “Its 4-Stage Cleansing System and distinctive Twin Rubber Brushes present 100% extra highly effective suction and pressurized scrubbing motion. And in contrast to competing 2-in-1 robotic vacuum and mops that hardly elevate their mop pads, if in any respect, iRobot’s D.R.I. (Dry Rug Intelligence) means clients can belief that their Roomba Combo j9+ will hold even high-pile rugs clear and dry.”

That final bit is a direct dig at firms like Roborock and Ecovac, which have carved out their very own niches undercutting iRobot’s premium pricing.

Finally, nevertheless, CEO Colin Angle says the software program is the factor. “I consider the long-term winner within the robotic business goes to be the corporate with the perfect software program,” he stated in an interview with TechCrunch. “iRobot continues to lift the bar. In 2021, we went all-in and stated iRobot will refund your cash if it ever hits poop, which nobody has performed since. We proceed to honor that. Earlier this yr, we began mechanically labeling rooms.”

Each the j7+ and j9+ are getting iRobot OS 7.0. The centerpiece is one thing the corporate calls “Grime Detective.” Angle says, “We preserve a map of your house that’s resilient to disruptions. As a result of we’re the one robotic that truly appears to be like to see if we’re choosing up grime as we clear, we are able to decide how rapidly a room will get soiled. We additionally understand how lengthy it’s been because you final cleaned a specific room, as a result of we have now that historic perspective.”

Grime Detective creates plans and prioritizes rooms based mostly on want. Additionally on the record is SmartScrub, which actually will get in there for a deep clear as wanted, with double the scrubbing, per iRobot.

The j9+ goes up for presale beginning in Europe in the present day. Canada and the U.S. comply with swimsuit tomorrow.