iRobot is launching a new robot vacuum as the next Roomba, which includes a mopping feature that can help to keep kitchen and bathroom floors sparkling clean. It adds to the robo-vac product line that sucks up dust, dirt, pet hair, and other material in carpets. The autonomous device Braava Jet adds the new features of gently cleaning up liquid spills, and scrubbing hardwood and tile floors.
Braava Jet is a small square robot. Another big plus of the new iRobot device is that it is helpful in cleaning up spills in small areas, according to Ars Technica.
The new iRobot vacuum is also easy to use. Owners just have to press one button on the top of the unit in order to start or stop the smart vacuum.
iRobot told Ars Technica the company decided not to link Braava Jet to a mobile phone app unlike the Roomba 980 Internet of Things (IoT) gadget. The company wanted to keep the price low and make it a user-friendly device.
Although Braava Jet is $100 cheaper than Roomba 380t it has three instead of two cleaning modes. Like the 380t it also includes dry sweeping for hair and dust, and wet mopping that works with water and detergent.
However, the new robotic vacuum also includes the new damp scrubbing mode. It uses 40 percent less water than the wet mopping mode so it has the power to clean hardwood floors but will not damage the hard surfaces.
iRobot's new vacuum can detect which mode to use when cleaning thanks to disposable pads under the unit. Each of the three modes has a different pad that snaps into the bottom part of the robotic cleaner.
One drawback of Braava Jet is that owners will have to change the cleaning pads after they have been used. The company shares that packs of 10 pads will cost about $8 per pack.
Last year iRobot also got a green light from United States regulators to sell its robot lawn mower, according to CNBC. The IoT device functions with the help of transmitter-fitted stakes that communicate with each other and the lawn mower as it rolls around a yard.
Here's the iRobot Roomba 980: