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More than a decade after the launching of first Roomba, iRobot is still going strong.
Despite intensifying competition from cheaper robot vacuum cleaners, iRobot is still enjoying growing sales of their high-end robot vacuums.
Part of the reason why people still go for Roombas despite the availability of cheaper alternatives is the brand’s reputation for quality and performance.
It’s not just customers who think iRobot is doing a great job with their product lineup.
iRobot, specifically their newly launched Roomba i7+ robot vac, recently won the iF Product Design Award in the robot vacuum cleaner category.
The iF International Forum Design gives the iF award; a design-based organization started in Germany in 1953.
Better and Smarter Products
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This award comes at a time when iRobot is expanding its product lineup.
The company recently launched the Roomba S9+ robot vacuum and the Braava Jet M6 robot mop, two robots that can communicate with each other for cleaning coordination.
They also introduced the Terra t7 robot lawn mower that will be available in the US in 2020.
One thing that has set iRobot’s products apart even in a crowded field is their brilliant, smart, and convenient design.
Take the Roomba i7+, for instance.
It was the first robot vacuum to incorporate automatic bin emptying, a tedious part of vacuuming that other robot vacuums left for humans to handle.
When the Roomba i7+ finishes vacuuming, it docks into the Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal system where the collected dirt is sucked into the large dirt holder.
The Clean Base can hold up to 30 bins of debris from the Roomba, meaning you can go for weeks or even months without emptying it.
Since it holds the dirt in a disposable bag, you never have to touch it. Just throw away the debris and bag together.
No other robot vacuum provides such convenience.
Intelligent Navigation
Many robot vacuums have incorporated some form of smart navigation into their system. They map the floor and calculate the best path to follow.
But no robot vacuum does it better than the Roomba i7+ (and the new Roomba S9+).
The i7+ is equipped with iRobot’s iAdapt smart navigation that is powered by the camera-based vSLAMtechnology.
The robot knows where it is at all times, where it has cleaned and the best path to follow to finish cleaning.
It even generates a detailed map that you can see and interact with on the app.
You can label rooms on the map and send the robot to clean a specific room.
If you have a multilevel home or you use the Roomba in different houses, it can create and store multiple maps, so it never gets confused.
Read our in-depth review of the Roomba I7+ to learn more about the robot vacuum cleaner and its futuristic features.
Leading Bold Innovation
Other brands like Neato have done a pretty good job providing advanced features in their robot vacuums.
But they are usually playing catchup, replicating what iRobot has already pioneered.
With the latest launches, iRobot has yet again led the way in innovation.
With the i7+ and S9+, they introduced automatic dirt disposal. This automation makes home maintenance much easier.
With the S9+ and the Braava Jet M6, they’ve introduced two robots that work in tandem to clean your floors. That’s another first in the market.
With the Terra robot mower, they have eliminated the need to install wire guides, the most tedious and time-consuming part of setting up a robot mower.
Higher Revenue and More Growth
You’d think that iRobot’s sales would suffer now that cheaper Roomba alternatives are everywhere.
That’s not the case.
iRobot was a top performer in the ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index, an index that tracks companies involved in automation, robotics, and AI.
The company itself announced some great financial results for 2019. First quarter growth was up 9% compared to the same quarter last year.
Surprisingly, expensive high-end models in iRobot’s lineup – the Roomba i7 and i7+– are the ones driving this growth.
The company has no reason to sacrifice innovation for lower costs. Expect smarter and more innovative products shortly.
For me, I can’t wait for the Terrarobot to get here. I think it will seriously threaten some of the best-known robot mower brands like Husqvarna.
