We don't have a ton of details on these just yet, but MSI has rolled into
Computex with something of a surprise: a new line of robot vacuums. As you can see, they look remarkably similar to iRobot's
Roomba vacuums, and they apparently come in three different versions: the standard M800 Smart Vacuum Robot, the R500 Slim Vacuum Robot, and the R1300 Security Vacuum Robot, the latter of which adds a camera and internet connectivity for some low-level surveillance. No word on pricing or availability just yet either, but MSI has at least kindly put together a wonderfully soothing promotional video. Check it out after the break.
Update: We've been told from the floor at Computex that MSI will begin shipping its new robots in Q1 2011 for about $150 (model R500), $450 (M800), and $600 (R1300). They are still undecided if this will include North American and European markets.
posted June 1st 2010 4:26PM
Make them fight...plzzzz!
@One Love
it doesn't look any smarter than the current roombas, which are about as smart as the toy police cars I had growing up in the 80s (bump into things and turn around) Samsung looks like the only innovator right now
@PDOG Don't forget the Neato, their XV-11 certainly seem innovative. Mapping the room with lasers and moving more like you and I would use a vacuum, should have a stronger vacuum as well since it can afford it because of not having to go over the same spots multiple times due to random movement. Too bad it's still around a month away and doesn't seem to be present at Computex, sure would be nice with some good news from them.
Can I take a shit in it? It looks like a robotic toilet.
Stopping in the middle of the floor = power saving?
@Nitesh
Nahh, it BSODed. :P
@Nitesh sounds like an accident waiting to happen.
And I LOVE the shot of the dinged up table the droid keeps running into. Makes me think the droid did it... bad droid, bad! This is NOT the furniture you are looking for, go destroy some other dust bunny.
what's up with the porn music?
@Junyor Mynt Let's just say these robot vaccuums suck MORE than just dirt and dust!!! *elbow nudge*
@Junyor Mynt You gotta have clean floors for sexytime.
@Junyor Mynt it sounds a bit like "Never Gonna Give You Up" to me
@Junyor Mynt
It is running Android...
Same old robot vacuum.. Can't we get more uses out of a roving platter in the house? Perhaps dock to a mini fridge and bring me a beer?
@deepdigits Nice. FTW
@deepdigits Attach a tall bouncy spring with a feathered ball on the end to the butt of your roomba and watch your cats go wild. Not as cool as a beer fetcher, but cheap and feasible. =)
what the hell?
Did roomba not patent their design!??!
@everyone does I doubt Roomba was given a patent to protect anyone from making round-ish vacuums.
@tosvus
If you can get a patent for using two fingers at once you can get a patent for a vacuum that looks like a giant puck.
MSi is kind of slowly taking over...
One day all the Roombas of the world will get tired of having their buttons pressed and will revolt against humanity, murdering innocent children and swallowing little kittens up, and enslave the human race.
@XciteMe
And Engadget will be the first against the wall.
Are these true vacuums or are they actually sweepers?
They should at least try to be different and have a shape that can fit in corners.
@Surrealchemist yeah, what's up with that? Square, really. Thus brushes are asking to be ripped out by my cats.
"oooh, moving objects, ATTACK!"
@thecolor those dude... learn to spell
Also how are these things with long 6" dog hair?
@timmy2000 Both excellent and poor:
1) Excellent in that the Roombas do have surprising suction especially with the three rotating brustles sucking everything up. I once left all my batteries out on the floor, and had to empty out five AA Eneloops.
2) Poor in that the dustbin in it is not that huge, and hair can and will accumulate on the ends of the rollers, requiring you to periodically pick them out.
If your house is primarily tile or hardwood (DRASTICALLY improves battery life), IMO there is no question that you should own a Roomba or competitor.
If your home is all thick carpet that has shag rugs with tassels or you have kids that leave "obstacles" everywhere, do not get a Roomba IMO. You'll be disappointed.
Those look even cheaper than Roomba. The only robot vacuum that looks to bring any significant advancement is the Neato XV-11. Botjunkie did a review and said it took only 12 minutes to clean the house thanks to the laser guided sensors and suction power.
http://www.botjunkie.com/2010/05/18/botjunkie-review-neato-robotics-xv-11/
@cool8man
Great review.
Bookmarked.
@cool8man Far more intelligent than the Roomba.
But I have to say, the Roomba would NOT have left the dirt there by the leg. It hugs such objects very close, whisking at it with its spinner brush as well.
The square front design without side sweepers like the Roomba has is a flaw IMO.
The Roomba passing over most things multiple times, and having dirt detection tech causing it to spin in circles and do extra cleaning there, makes me think that if time is not the issue and you're pressing the button before leaving for work, the Roomba would probably do a better job.
And with those super cheapo 535s and the like on Woot, are probably a lot more affordable.
Roomba .. wow seemed like a couple decades ago they came out with roomba then it just died out ..
So i found it quite funny the headline to this article lol
I really hope demand for these products picks up driving the price down, I have always wanted one however they just aren't affordable for me right now.
I have a Roomba 510 and dont ever use that thing on carpet. Its a short nap but it requires so much maintenance after each use. Its best for hardwood floors.
@MichaelsGadgets That depends on the age and quality of the carpet though.
I got my parents roombas for upstairs, and until we replaced the carpet, it was getting full quickly and picking up craptons of fuzz on the ends of the roller.
With the new carpet, which is just as fuzzy but premium, the problem was hugely diminished.
Until they can tackle staircases I think I'll stick with my conventional vacuum cleaner
This is from MSI means it can output 720p video as well, right?
These robot vacuum cleaners are a fantastic idea. But when are we going to get one with a decent capacity like a regular vacuum cleaner? Looks like these things are going to need emptying every one uses them.
@mukatuna Self cleaning functionality would be a good idea and seems easy to program. Also, sensors that warn you when the bot isn't cleaning as efficiently and tells you what part might need to be replaced. I'd probably get one then if they included these features.
I'm waiting for the iClean.
Something is wrong with this image. Don't these things normally come accompanied by cute chicks?
Until they work out how to prevent Golden Retriever hair from wrapping around the axle and 15-minute post-vacuuming clean-up being required, these are no time-saver.
Having said that, they all seem to be Roomba rip-offs (Samsung's, this one).
Next?
Looks like its at least as good as the iRobot's offering, but...
Did you see the line of blow that thing sucked down in the video? At that rate, it'd be cheaper to just move, rather than cleaning your house.
I just might buy one of these...
It LOOKS to be superior in every way.
The problem though is that its the little things you don't see that make or break the product. How big is the dust bin, and what quality filter is on there. How much do the filter replacements cost or are they washable?
What type and capacity battery is installed, and how much do replacements cost and whats the warranty on em.
Does it have programming to adjust its height and shimmy out of situations where it could get stuck like Roomba does.
And then little things like earlier roombas used to get hair inside the gearbox which would destroy it before the redesign.
For all that you kinda need to wait for these to be out for a few months and check detailed reviews.
Are people either a) stupid or b) too lazy to vacuum on their own?
@Amusednow I don't think it has anything to do with being stupid or lazy.
In my case a robot vacuum seems like a good idea because I think it will save me time, as I can do other things in the 30 mins(I usually use vacuuming), and take a task of my hands that I don't really find enjoyment in performing. The same reasons was behind me buying a dishwasher.
The fact that some of these robots are nice gadgets doesn't hurt either, when you like me enjoy gadgets.