iRobot launches its first new robot mop-vacuum cleaner following its acquisition by another company. The Roomba Mini is advertised as the smallest robot vacuum in the world, which means that the device can access places where the rivals are not able to reach.
The new iRobot Roomba Mini is being marketed as the smallest Roomba ever, designed for tight spaces and equipped with LiDAR navigation and an AutoEmpty Dock that can hold dirt for up to three months.
Through the Roomba Mini, iRobot shows that it is capable of continuing to provide innovative products despite being acquired by Chinese robotics giant Picea Robotics. The Roomba Mini is only about half the size of a traditional robot vacuum with a diameter of 24.5 cm (9.6 in), allowing it to move around between furniture.
The device is approximately 9.2 cm (3.6 in) tall, which is the same height as many competing devices. Also, iRobot has reduced the size of AutoEmpty Dock to minimize its size, and the Roomba Mini is particularly appropriate in small apartments. The company claimed that the Mini could produce up to 70 times greater suction power than the previous Roomba 600 series. The robot vacuum however has only 1 brush as compared to the normal 2 brush system that iRobot uses and this is likely to lower its efficiency of cleaning carpets.
The AutoEmpty Dock, as the name implies, is an automatic mechanism to empty the dustbin of the robot vacuum. The dock has a dust bag which usually requires replacement after every 90 days.
Roomba Mini has a rather peculiar mopping option: iRobot did not create a sophisticated self-cleaning roller but introduced single-use mop pads that would be laid on the suction inlet. Consequently, the Mini has the capability to either vacuum or mop, but not both. A LiDAR scanner deals with navigation and mapping.
Available in four colors, pink, mint, white and black, the Roomba Mini Robot Vacuum & Mop + AutoEmpty Dock is designed to clean tight spaces better, navigate narrow corners, and vacuum or mop in hard-to-reach places. The disposable mopping pads trap dust, dirt and grime, leaving a fresh citrus scent behind.
Price and availability
iRobot Roomba Mini + AutoEmpty Dock is already sold in Europe at the price of €399 / £379 in white, pink, mint and black. Further details are available at the official product page.
