iRobot introduces first cleaning machine that automatically washes and dries its mopping pad
iRobot introduced its latest high-end robot vacuum on Tuesday, the Roomba Combo 10 Max Robot + AutoWash Dock. This model automatically cleans and dries the mopping pad, a task that had to be done manually with previous combo vacuums. However, with a price tag of $1,399, many consumers may opt to wait for future generations of the product to offer similar features at a more affordable price.
Cleaning robots exist to automate tasks that are a pain for us, and the Roomba Combo 10 Max Robot expands on that. iRobot says the dock, which contains “premium antimicrobial materials,” can empty dirt into a sealed bag, fill a mopping solution tank, and clean itself after each pad wash. You can run the self-cleaner manually, and its companion app will remind you when it’s time to perform a routine maintenance or deep cleaning.
The robot can store dirt and debris for up to 60 days before emptying, and the mopping pad and self-cleaning tank last up to seven days of water. At least in theory, the Combo 10 Max leaves the user with less work than any other Roomba before it.
iRobot says the new Roomba can seamlessly transition from vacuuming carpets to mopping floors, automatically increasing its suction power when it detects carpets. It can then move back and forth with steady pressure and deep scrubbing when it senses it’s time to wipe.
The combo vacuum is designed to retract its entire mopping system when it reaches the carpet, “raising the mop pad to the top of the robot to keep even high-surface carpets fresh and dry.” At the same time, it can vacuum and mop at the same time on hard floors.
While other Roomba models have been able to detect particularly messy areas, the Combo 10 Max adds a camera that “visually detects dirt on the floor.” The company claims this allows it to identify the dirtiest spots up to eight times more often, making multiple passes in those areas more efficient.
Like other models, the robot cleaner can map your home, but iRobot says it can do it seven times faster than other models and automatically labels each room type. Its software can even use past cleaning data to predict the cleanliness of each room and proceed accordingly.
The robot works with Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant, and iRobot expects it to be Matter-compatible by the end of 2024. It should cover almost all smart homes. Of course, it includes the company’s memorable signature Pet Owner’s Official Promise (P.O.O.P.). It offers a free device replacement if the robot accidentally plows through pet waste and ruins your day.
The Roomba Combo 10 Max is available for pre-order today on the iRobot website in the US and Canada. (It’s also available for preorder in Europe, and will launch there “in the coming months.”) However, as amazing as the tech’s cleaning wonders sound, its $1,399 entry price will price it out of all but the most well-to-do homes.
