Neato Robotics' XV-21 vacuum sucks up pet hair and allergens, looks like a new-age SNES

Sure, iRobot may have a strong presence in the impending robot apocolypse world of autonomous vacuum cleaners, but lest we forget about the others like Neato Robotics. The company's introducing the retro-futuristic XV-21 Pet and Allergy Vacuum for those of us wanting rid our domains of sniffle-inducing dust particles. Although the XV-21 looks similar to last year's XV-12, it features a new filter for improved airflow and suction, which Neato claims will catch three-times as many tiny bits around your domain as its normal kit. If that wasn't enough, the cleaner is also loaded with newly developed bristled brush to aid in sweeping up the likes of pet hair while keeping its noise levels to a minimum. If you're ready to leave the cleaning to the bots, this little guy is set to hit shelves in late April for $429 alongside a $60 Pet and Allergy kit packed with the filter (30 bucks on its own) and brush. Current Neato owners shouldn't fret either, as the add-ons are compatible with all of the company's vacuums, requiring only an upgrade to the latest firmware via USB. You'll find the full details in the press release after the break.

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NEATO ROBOTICS LAUNCHES PET AND ALLERGY VACUUM CLEANER

Latest Neato XV-21 automatic vacuum cleaner features improved ability
to pick up pet hair and dirt and reduce allergens on all floor types
for cleaner, healthier homes

Newark, Calif., March 12, 2012 - Neato Robotics®, a Silicon Valley
company that pioneers new technologies and products to free people
from household chores, today announced a new automatic vacuum cleaner
that's designed especially for pet owners and allergy sufferers. The
Neato XV-21, which works on all floor types, includes a new bristled
brush to improve the pick-up of pet hair, dander and fibers and allows
the vacuum cleaner to run more quietly than previous models,
especially on hardwood floors. A new filter, which is cleanable and
designed for long-term use, provides increased airflow and suction
power that allows the Neato XV-21 to pick up and retain more than
three times the fine dust particles of the company's standard filter.
The new brush and filter will work with all other existing Neato
Robotics models on the market today, making it easy for current owners
to upgrade their automatic vacuum cleaners.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America recommends vacuuming
frequently and reducing the amount of pet dander, fur and feathers in
the home as two simple steps to help prevent allergy outbreaks. A 2011
study by Quest Diagnostics found that allergies are on the rise in the
U.S. with one in five Americans now being affected. Allergies to dust
mites, pet dander, ragweed and other allergens now account for more
than 17 million visits to the doctor per year, according to the
report.

With the Neato XV-21's ability to automatically clean homes on its own
with no human assistance, allergy sufferers can avoid allergens in the
air caused by cleaning that can sometimes trigger reactions. Customers
can easily set an automatic cleaning schedule for the Neato XV-21 to
clean every day, keeping homes neat and healthy and carpets
well-groomed. It vacuums close to walls and corners, avoids bumping
into furniture and returns automatically to its base to re-charge
itself.

"Our customers have increasingly asked us for a better way to pick up
even more pet hair, dander and fine dust in their homes," says Warren
Flick, CEO of Neato Robotics, Inc. "The Neato XV-21 delivers on that
market need with a combination of increased suction power and airflow
and more than three times the fine dust pick-up of our standard
filters. We continue to focus on delivering new, innovative products
that save customers time and keep homes neat, clean and healthy.

The Neato XV-21 is available in Misty White with purple highlights and
is designed to automatically and intelligently clean homes on a daily
basis, ensuring clean floors and more free time for its owners. Using
smart path planning and a methodical back-and-forth cleaning pattern,
it thoroughly cleans all types of floors and creates that neat, "just
cleaned" look on carpets.

Availability and Pricing

The Neato XV-21 will be available for purchase for $429 M.S.R.P. at
the end of April through the Neato Robotics website and an expanding
list of retail partners. The new pet and allergy filter ($29.99
M.S.R.P.) and Pet and Allergy Upgrade Kit that includes the new
bristled brush ($59.99 M.S.R.P.) will work with all other existing
Neato Robotics automatic vacuum cleaners and simply requires customers
to download a free version of the 2.6 firmware upgrade using the USB
port on the back of unit.