The robot vacuum's retractable mopping arm means no more manual switching
iRobot has announced the arrival of the Roomba Combo j7+ – a robot cleaner that can mop at the same time as it vacuums.
Verdict: iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ review
The device is effectively the 2-in-1 sibling to the standard Roomba j7+, distinguishable by its retractable mopping arm that allows it to perform both key functions at once.
Despite it looking a bit like an invention designed for noughties BBC cult hit Robot Wars, the $1,099 / £999 model is able to utilize this motorized arm to deal with hard surfaces and lift up out of the way on carpets and rugs.
The result, if it proves to work well, would be a simplified cleaning cycle – one that doesn’t involve you manually separating the vacuuming and mopping portions.
The premise is essentially the same as that which features on the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra, which, with the help of the company’s ‘VibraRise’ technology, is able to lift its mopping pads a few millimeters off the ground and avoid contact with carpets and the like.
However, it’s not just a clever retractable arm that iRobot has up its sleeve with the Combo j7+, as it’s also announced iRobot OS 5.0 alongside it.
This should mostly just offer improved object recognition and helpful features for pet owners, from what we can tell. Imprint Smart Mapping, for example, will detect the likes of ovens, pet bowls and toilets and recommend new Clean Zones for those areas.
Other quality of service features, such as the ability to skip rooms in the middle of a run, as well as Siri Shortcuts, will also debut through the new operating system.
How it all continues to develop amid Amazon’s recent purchase of iRobot, of course, remains to be seen – not least because the deal is currently being investigated due to concerns regarding the buyer’s existing presence within the space.