Samsung is back with new robo-vacs

We hope you're taking notes, kids. Only when you have a large Samsung display, powered by a Samsung A/V receiver, powered by a Samsung Blu-ray drive, and accompanied by a Samsung speaker system -- so that you can watch vegetation in HD with your children while a robot does your housework -- then and only then will you be happy. To help complete that picture of domestic bliss, Samsung is releasing some new robo-vacs, and they're not looking too shabby. With design by Zairo, whomever that is, Samsung is putting those bulky curves to good use, since the bots are a bit smarter than average. Not only can they map out their cleaning area to optimize cleaning times, but they'll return home to their charger when they're getting low on juice, and can even be remotely activated for the ultimate in geeky housekeeping fun. Samsung's vacuums, the VC-RS60 and VC-RS60H (to be honest, we don't know the difference other than the "premium" title), run at a relatively speedy 1.3-feet per second, and can manage about an hour of work before a charge. The two models go for $936 and $1,042 respectively, with no word on availability in the States, but we think we'd be waiting for a price drop anyways.

[Via Akihabara]

[WedgeTalon @ Jul 4th 2006 10:27AM]

It's more like... when you a large Samsung display, powered by a Samsung A/V receiver, powered by a Samsung Blu-ray drive, and accompanied by a Samsung speaker system -- so that you can watch vegetation in HD with your children while a robot does your housework -- then YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO BUY A FREAKIN COUCH TO SIT ON.

[Ian Gibson @ Jul 4th 2006 11:02AM]

small problem with this picture - why the hell would you buy two expensive robot vaccuums for a wooden floor?

[Mark @ Jul 4th 2006 11:26AM]

If they are as unreliable as my Samsuck TV (2 repairs in 2 years; 1 out of warranty) then I'll pass...

[GoRobotics.net @ Jul 4th 2006 11:54AM]

They remind me of a cheap boombox you'd get at WalMart. Look, they even have the CD slot in the front.

Seriously, who'd spend $1,000 on a robovac, when a $200 Roomba will do it? You could get FIVE Roomba's for the price of one Samsungvac.

Five times the cleaning fun!

[Tyler @ Jul 4th 2006 11:54AM]

Good catch WedgeTalon! Though I think I'd give up my couch for this spread of goodies... good luck getting my fiance to go along with that though.

[Niloc @ Jul 4th 2006 12:06PM]

While they do look slick, and have some nice features (returning to charge themselves in particular) a Roomba works just fine and costs under $150!

[Tony Rayo @ Jul 4th 2006 12:28PM]

To be honest I never understood vaccuming robots, or rather I never understood why someone would want to use one. I don't know about others, but most of my rooms would not benefit from a robot that couldn't pull cords /magazines/raised carpet rugs/etc out of the way, and I have a fairly neat place compared to my friends! I just can't imagine that work that well, but some people seem to be really happy with them (of course I admire the hell out of Rooma for releasing tools that makes hacking with your bot easier) so here is something else for them to get excited about... if they have the money. Also on the topic of Blu-ray, are there many Blu-ray released in Korea? I know they are ahead of the curve for most tech. related product, but I thought next-gen dvds were mostly on the same ground.

... that brings up another question, I thought HD-DVD was suppose to be out with their players and discs months ahead of Blu-Ray, but TV ads and Best Buy inserts only show DVD and Blu-ray disc, what is really happening to HD-DVD's supposed lead?

[antiver @ Jul 4th 2006 1:07PM]

$200 roomba will probably do better. And as for the wood floors, I have 100% concrete floors and the roomba is perfect. Solid/hard floors are definitely best for the roomba, because it doesn't have to strugle at all to move around. And in response to Tony Rayo, if you have magazines/cords/etc on the floor, your cleanliness-factor could definitely benefit from getting them off the floor anyway! Then buy a roomba!

[Wry Cooter @ Jul 4th 2006 3:31PM]

Call me when they are smart enough to empty their own dust bins.

[Murc @ Jul 4th 2006 4:10PM]

I also think that they look like a cheap stereo. Theres tons of circle looking stereos...the only difference this one has one them is that the maker of this one finally admits that it really does suck.

[Jason @ Jul 4th 2006 4:19PM]

Interest pic. The automated vaccuums are cool. It amazes me that they can analyze you floor layout, vaccuum, and then know how to get back to its charging station. They are definately over priced though.

Samsung makes awesome displays, so awesome Sony uses them. Why would they invest in the R&D of a vaccuum?

[Stoop and Scoop @ Jul 4th 2006 5:18PM]

http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/102/C8556/

[uhhh @ Jul 4th 2006 6:28PM]

to OP: Korean people sit on the floor a lot. it's quite normal

[miniplayer.info @ Jul 4th 2006 7:02PM]

They probably also data log so you can determine which houshold member is responsible for producing most of the waste.

Imagine the ability to track and analyze waste content produced in various sectors on your environment.

Unfortunately America has no manufacturer as innovative as Samsung.

[kiteboy @ Jul 4th 2006 10:09PM]

They missed a key design feature of the Roomba - thin enough to clean under the couch.

Oh wait, I guess it doesn't need to do that...

[stan1ey @ Jul 4th 2006 10:11PM]

About the difference between VC-RS60 and VC-RS60H, only the "premium" one, VC-RS60H, has remote-start function via normal phone connection and ultra-violet floor sterilizer.

source: http://www.sec.co.kr/

[Maxed Out @ Jul 5th 2006 2:04AM]

114.4mph holy shit.

i could have done the math wrong though...

[thorn_stevens @ Jul 5th 2006 2:29AM]

I'd rather have a Roomba any day. And Roomba's start at just $99, not $200, so you could get 10 Roombas -- http://robotstocknews.blogspot.com/2006/03/roomba-buyers-guide.html -- or five Roombas and two $249 Scoobas (the floor washing robot) -- http://robotstocknews.blogspot.com/2006/04/scooba-255-plus-shipping-at-sharper.html

[ii @ Jul 5th 2006 2:55AM]

people(the states or europe) who can't get the high technology stuff won't get it forever! ;)

[Andrew @ Jul 5th 2006 7:02AM]

And the return to charger feature?

Uh yeah - the new Roombas have that too!
They've had remote control for a while, too.

While I can appreciate the need for promoting what Samsung is obviously trying to promote as a "digital lifestyle" - I'm surprised you guys didn't make the immediate Roomba comments.

Also, where's their UPMC device? I thought that was part of the Samsung "lifestyle" - maybe not - because you have to choose: UMPC or Clean floors.

Seriously, what is Samsung smoking if they think that the right price for a robotic vacuum is $1000?

And now you can "skin" your Roombas to give them your own look and feel.

Love the comment about the couch though.

[Shawn @ Jul 5th 2006 9:10AM]

I also was surprised by the lack of Roomba comparisons here. Another thing is that my Roomba gets under my coffee table with a scant 3" clearance and sucks up all the bunnies under it. Good luck doing that with the Samsung fatboy here.

[Ryan @ Jul 5th 2006 9:14AM]

ROOMBA RULES.

It's gonna be hard to beat 'em.

[Ken @ Jul 5th 2006 11:43AM]

1.3 feet per second = .886 miles per hour

5280 ft/mi

60 s/min

60 min/hr

1.3/5280*60*60=.886

you did:

1.3*5280/60

[Jon B @ Jul 5th 2006 9:48PM]

anyone notice that the background is from OS X?

[Mark @ Aug 2nd 2006 7:03AM]

Vacuum cleaners that go around on their own have been around for quite sometime now but i will stick to the conventional one you know the one with a lead because have you seen how long these things take which means more bloomin noise.

[Pete @ Aug 10th 2006 2:02PM]

This can't compete with the Roomba and its mopper buddy the Scooba. They have been on the market and tested to be great products. I guess competition is good to keep prices down, but I do not know if a boombox is better than a circular dashing wizard named the Roomba!