iRobot, the leading brand in robot vacuums, has unveiled its latest lineup of smart and powerful cleaning bots. The new flagship models, the Roomba Combo j9 Plus vacuum/mop and the j9 Plus vacuum, are now available for pre-order on irobot.com in the US and Canada.
Recognizing the growing competition in the market, iRobot aims to stay ahead by offering more advanced features. The Combo j9 Plus comes equipped with a retractable mop system that lifts the mop up and over the vacuum, preventing it from touching carpets. This is a significant improvement compared to other models that rely on lifting the mop pads slightly, which may not work well on higher-pile rugs.
To further outshine its competitors, iRobot has introduced a feature called SmartScrub. Instead of redesigning the mop, the entire robot moves back and forth, imitating the manual mopping motion. SmartScrub selectively targets rooms that require more thorough cleaning, such as kitchens and entryways. Users can also enable it on a room-by-room basis in the app. This feature will also be available for the Combo j7 Plus through a software update.
Another notable upgrade is the redesigned auto-empty/charging dock on the Combo j9, which now automatically refills the mop’s water tank. This improvement addresses the inconvenience of manually refilling the reservoir in previous models. The lower-priced j9 Plus is a vacuum-only version but features the same dock as the j7.
Both the Combo j9 Plus and the j9 Plus boast the AI obstacle avoidance feature found in the j7 model. Equipped with a camera, the robots can navigate around household clutter and avoid obstacles such as pet waste.
In terms of suction power, iRobot claims that the j9 Plus models are its most powerful to date, offering 100% more power than the i series. However, iRobot’s suction power claims can be confusing, as they do not provide specific measurements. The company states that both the j and i series are more powerful than the 600 series, with the s9 being the most powerful. Further clarification from iRobot is being sought.
Both new models ship with Version 7.0 of iRobot’s operating system, introducing a feature called Dirt Detective. This feature learns the dirtiest rooms in the house and prioritizes cleaning those areas. By analyzing past cleaning preferences and patterns, the robot is able to determine which rooms require the most attention. It can even identify room types using its onboard camera and avoids cleaning the bathroom last to prevent spreading any debris onto the rugs.
The Combo j9’s docking station features a water tank and a larger storage area for bags and spare mop pads, along with a wooden top that serves as a side table. Remarkably, iRobot has done away with the dirty water tank in the dock, as the company expects users to remove and wash the mop pad separately. While this eliminates the issue of unclean docking stations, the effectiveness of the thinner and smaller mop pad remains to be seen.
In terms of design, the Combo j9’s auto-empty dock stands out among its competitors. It not only functions well but also resembles a piece of furniture. Furthermore, the top of the new dock has been designed as a side table.
In a departure from previous models, iRobot is now offering suction-level options for the j9 models. Users can choose between low, medium, and high suction levels, providing more control over the robot’s cleaning performance. This feature allows users to set the vacuum to run quietly on low settings when they are at home.
According to Colin Angle, CEO of iRobot, the focus of these new robots is on the core features that users truly need – cleaning, ease of use, and the ability to return to the dock. With these latest innovations, iRobot aims to deliver a superior cleaning experience while staying ahead of the competition.
Conclusion:
iRobot has launched its newest flagship robot vacuums, the Roomba Combo j9 Plus and the j9 Plus. These models promise improved cleaning performance, advanced features like SmartScrub, and an automatic refill system for the mop’s water tank. With the increasing competition in the market, iRobot aims to maintain its status as the leader in robot vacuums by delivering smarter and more powerful cleaning bots.