What’s under the microscope?
The iRobot Roomba Combo Essential.
Give me the elevator pitch?
It’s a two-in-one robot vacuum cleaner and mop.
Seriously? It looks like a tech-mad person’s pet.
Or also Rosie the robot housekeeper on The Jetsons, if you’re old enough to remember that cartoon. Except Rosie was more human-sized.
In more detail, what does it do?
It vacuums and mops at the same time, just like the box says. With a two-hour charge, it’ll get round just about anyone’s house unless you live in a five-storey castle.
You fill the tank, attach the microfibre mop pad and tap in what you’d like it to do on the iRobot Home app, or tell it what to do and then it’ll swing into action cleaning in straight rows. But if you’ve just spilt some flour and want it cleaned, you can position it in front and press spot clean.
And, like pretty much all robotic cleaners it has sensors to navigate where it goes to avoid falling down stairs.
Does it get into all the nooks and crannies?
It’ll go under sofas and beds – places I tend to avoid because they’re out of sight, out of mind.
How clean does it get your hardwood floors?
Better than I could, but I am an incredibly slack floor mopper. Not as good as those who use super-hot water and a scrubbing brush.
So clever.
It really is. It will even give you a clean map report, showing where it has cleaned while you’ve been out. It’s just like doggie day care sending you photos of your dog having a lovely time at the beach.
Do we care that robots are taking over our jobs?
Absolutely not when it comes to mopping the floor. That has to be one of the most tedious chores imaginable.
Any cons?
The cats freak out at the very sight of the iRobot Roomba. But have you ever met a cat who actually liked a vacuum cleaner?
Cost?
$599, shopirobot.co.nz
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