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Following a challenging year in 2024, which saw significant leadership changes, an aborted acquisition by Amazon, and substantial layoffs, iRobot is making a notable return with a revamped line of robotic vacuums.
This week, the pioneer of the robotic vacuum, known for over two decades of innovation, unveiled eight new models that signal a departure from traditional designs. These new vacuums are not only aesthetically different but also incorporate advanced technology, including a novel feature for Roomba devices: lidar navigation and mapping.
The new model range starts at $299 and escalates to $999. It encompasses entry-level vacuums in the 105 series, offering optional auto-empty docks; the 205 series, which features an onboard dust compactor; and premium models in the 405 and 505 series, introducing dual spinning mopping pads to the Roomba lineup for the first time. Consumers can expect these new products to be available for preorder on March 18th on iRobot.com, both in the US and select European markets.
The Roomba 505 is iRobot’s first robot vacuum featuring lidar and dual spinning mopping pads.
iRobot claims that this launch represents its most extensive product offering to date. Notably, the integration of lidar navigation and room mapping marks a significant evolution for Roombas, enabling quicker mapping and enhanced features. Additionally, a newly launched iRobot app will offer real-time cleaning visibility, further enriched by lidar technology. The company has also begun to disclose suction power specifications for its products.
According to Warren Fernandez, iRobot’s product management lead, all new models are equipped with 7,000Pa suction power across four levels, although this figure falls short compared to competitors like Roborock’s Saros 10, which boasts an impressive 22,000Pa while carrying a heftier price tag of $1,600.
The new models feature a geometric grid design that sets them apart.
With mounting competition from Chinese manufacturers, iRobot has reimagined its design strategy. The revamped Roomba lineup has been meticulously designed to transition from camera-based vSLAM navigation to lidar technology.
In an interview with The Verge, Fernandez explained that the company decided to embrace lidar after assessing the technology’s maturity and cost-effectiveness for their product strategy.
The advantages of lidar include improved mapping capabilities, allowing for room-specific cleaning as well as the creation of clean and keep-out zones within the app. For the higher-end variants, it promises quicker mapping and enhanced navigation capabilities.
Additionally, all new Roombas feature an ultrasonic carpet detection sensor that helps them avoid carpets while mopping. The mopping functions now offer three levels of water flow and include iRobot’s proprietary SmartScrub option, which was previously reserved for more advanced models priced from $500 onward.
Most new models are equipped with a lidar tower and redesigned auto-empty docks, bringing their appearance more in line with offerings from competitors such as Roborock, Dreame, and Ecovacs.
The Roomba 505’s docking station includes features for washing and drying mop pads.
The flagship model in this series is the $999 (€799) Roomba Plus 505 Combo Robot Plus AutoWash Dock, the first Roomba with dual spinning mop pads designed for scrubbing hard floors. Its innovative abilities extend to adjusting the mop’s position for edge cleaning and lifting mops to avoid low-pile carpets. Similar capabilities have been seen in offerings from competitors like Roborock and Dreame.
This model also comes with a multifunction dock that not only washes and dries mop pads but also refills the mop tank and empties the bin, equipped with heated drying—a feature absent in iRobot’s earlier models.
Fernandez noted that the Roomba 10 Max continues to hold the title of the current flagship model due to its superior cleaning capabilities. However, he did not disclose suction specifications for that model. Unlike the 505, the 10 Max employs a retractable mop system that avoids carpets more efficiently. Both the 505 and 10 Max support the Matter smart home standard, along with existing integrations for Amazon Alexa, Apple’s Siri, and Google Home.
The Roomba 404 retains many features present in the 505.
The Roomba Plus 405 Combo Robot Plus AutoWash Dock is priced at $799 (€699) and shares many of the same capabilities as the 505 but lacks certain functionalities such as the mops’ extendability, AI-assisted obstacle detection due to the absence of an onboard camera, and features like heated drying.
The 205 model introduces a dust compactor but omits the lidar tower.
The budget segment is also experiencing substantial upgrades with the introduction of the 105 and 205 series. These new models include lidar-based mapping, uphold the same suction level as the higher-end models, and possess advanced features like keep-out zones and automatic carpet detection, previously unavailable at this price point.
The 105 and 205 series will each come in both vacuum-only and combo options, the latter equipped with a removable flat microfiber mopping pad. The 105 supports an auto-empty dock, while the 205 uses innovative dust compaction technology, extending the time between required emptyings significantly.
Both new models in the series include a slimline auto-empty dock option.
Each series is competitively priced, with the 105 Vac Robot Plus AutoEmpty Dock priced at $449, the 105 Combo Robot at $469 (€449), the 205 Dust Compactor Vac Robot at $449, and the 205 Dust Compactor Combo Robot also at $469 (€449). While the prices exceed the earlier Combo Essential line, they incorporate lidar technology, missing in those models. Consumers opting to regularly empty the bin can select the base model at $299 or the 105 Combo Robot at $319 (€299).
The introduction of the dust compactor represents a convenient innovation, appealing to those averse to larger auto-empty docks. However, it suggests a strategic shift in iRobot’s approach to remain competitive.
Historically, iRobot under Colin Angle prioritized superior cleaning efficiency and technological advancements, which now appears to be evolving under current CEO Gary Cohen’s leadership. The new approach favors popular features like spinning mop pads and lidar technology, indicating a willingness to adapt to consumer preferences. “Last year, we reinvented our iRobot Research and Development Labs, and these robots are the culmination of our engineers’ and designers’ expertise,” Fernandez stated.
This strategic pivot reflects a broader competitive landscape, aiming to stabilize the company’s market position. With competitive pricing and the established Roomba brand, this strategy could prove effective, provided the new products maintain the reliability associated with the Roomba name.
The anticipation surrounding these new models is palpable, as they promise to uphold the standards that have made Roombas household favorites. However, there’s also a sentiment of nostalgia for the original ethos of iRobot, which appears altered in this latest lineup.
Source
www.theverge.com