iRobot Roomba autonomous vacuum cleaners have been around since 2002, with the robots automatically cleaning the floor, detecting walls and edges, going around table and chair feet, etc… The company also produced iCreate 2 programmable robot for educators, students and developers who wants to learn about robotics, and works with Arduino and Raspberry Pi boards. I had seen similar cleaners from Chinese vendors in the past, with prices starting at $30, but they looked basically useless based on the specs, but yesterday I discovered Chuwi Ilife V5S robotic vacuum cleaner and mop that seems pretty decent, and even can go back to its charging station automatically.
Chuwi Ilife V5S key features and specifications:
- Anti-collision System, drop avoidance induction
- 50db low noise design; 850pa strong suction
- Sensors – 10 IR sensor on sides and bottom, OBS (Optical backscatter point sensor) sensors, 1 set wall sensor. (Note: OBS is based on IR, so they may just be the same as IR sensors in the description)
- 300 ml water tank capacity design
- Misc – IR receiver for remote control and communication with charging dock, LED indicators
- Cleaning modes – Automatic clean, spot clean, edge clean
- Multi cleaning modes – Automatic clean, border clean, fixed-point clean, reservation clean, and mop the floor
- Power Input – 19V DC/0.6A
- Battery
- 2600mAH Li-battery
- Charging modes – automatic charge or manual charge
- Dimensions – 30 x 30 x 7 cm
- Weight – 2.95 kg
The vacuum cleaner ships with a charging dock, a remote control (without battery), a 100~240VAC power adapter, a cleaning brush, two side brushes, a filter, a mop, a dust box, and a user’s manual, which you can download here. The video below shows how the robots automatically roam into the room and clean it up.
Nobody seems to have hacked it so far, but it might be a fun thing to do.
I first found Chuwi Ilife V5S vacuum cleaner on GeekBuying where they sell it for $129.99 + shipping, but it can also be purchased on GearBest for $99.99 + shipping, and similar models and replacement parts are available on Aliexpress.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
Support CNX Software! Donate via cryptocurrencies, become a Patron on Patreon, or purchase goods on Amazon or Aliexpress
118 $ shipping to Romania, no thanks!
@maurer
Oh now that I’ve checked shipping on GearBest it’s indeed quite high ($80 for me), but it looks lower on GeekBuying ($27.54 via TNT). They don’t have slow & cheap shipping option for that device, but considering the package must be over 3 kg, it might not be that much cheaper.
Looks to be both a vacuum cleaner (i.e. something that sucks up dust and dirt) and a mop/floor washer (i.e. something that washes hard floors)
Given that single-task robot cleaners are still quite basic in functionality, a two-in-one seems a bit optimistic.
How big is the dust collection storage container? No point having an unattended cleaner if it fills up before it’s cleaned a room… If it has a water reservoir too, presumably there isn’t much space for dust/dirt collection?
@Steve
You can see the size at the start of the video.
The mopping ability is limited, as the device can only handle 300 ml, and it looks like dust and water go in the same “box”.
Got screwed on last flash sale at gearbest. Claimed about 50 in stock and still hasn’t shipped. I think flash is another name for presale