Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Just had a press release come my way re the Neato XV-11. It's bears a slight change of design.  Matter of fact it looks like an upright that wants a bag and handle.

It'sclaimed to have stronger suction than any of its kind on the market so far.  It also uses laser technology to aid in establishing establishing room layouts.  Price at online page $399.00.

Check out the three videos: http://www.neatorobotics.com/

User manual is here - http://www.neatorobotics.com/user_guides/XV11UserGuide.pdf

Venson

Thanks Venson.  Very impressive robotic vacuum.  Looks like Roomba has some well deserved and long awaited competition.  Will read the User's Guide to learn the run and charge times [thanks for posting it too.] 

Here is a link comparing the iRobot to Neato XV-11. 

http://www.botjunkie.com/2010/06/04/irobot-roomba-560-vs-neato-xv-11/#more-4972

A summary of differences:

-Both robots clean hardwood equally well, about as well as a traditional upright vacuum.
-The Roomba cleans carpet noticeably better than the XV-11, and is significantly better at picking up pet hair. Neither robot is as good at these tasks as a traditional upright vacuum.
-The Roomba requires significantly more maintenance than the XV-11, especially if it picks up hair of any kind.
-The XV-11 cleans rooms about four times as fast as the Roomba.
-The XV-11 is significantly better at cleaning multiple rooms than the Roomba.
-The XV-11 seems louder than the Roomba.
-The fact that the Roomba uses cleaning behaviors derived from foraging insects is very cool.
-The fact that the XV-11 uses a laser to map rooms is very cool.

Filters in Neato cost $19 for 6.  Filters in Roomba cost $19 for 3.  It appears that Neato uses a rubber bristle bar vice a hair brush roll on the Roomba.  But have to confirm that with observation of Neato.  Also appears these Neato's will be available soon but not sure what retailers will carry and sell.  At $399 it's comparable to the TOL Roomba at $350 [before discounts and savings].

Carmine D.

From the FAQ:

How long will the battery last?

The XV-11 will run for approximately 1 hour depending on the floor type it is being used on. It runs longer on hard floors and a little less on carpeted floors.

From User's Guide:  Unit takes 2-3 hours to charge.  If it's battery is running low in the middle of a vacuuming cycle, the unit returns to the docking charger and will charge 30-45 minutes then resume vacuuming from where it left off.  Better than a human user.

Carmine D.

Hi,

Thought I'd pass the following article link on as it speaks a little of Neato's history. It's always enlightening to learn how things get done.

http://www.allbusiness.com/company-activities-management/product-management/14814364-1.html

Venson

Venson wrote:

Hello Venson:

Good article thanks for posting.  Appears to be a somewhat similar thread running through the evolution of this robotic vacuum company as the iRobot Rhomba.  Robotics developed over the course of 12 plus years for military use then converted to vacuum application for household use.  iRobot used profits from the military to offset years of losses on the robotic vacuums.  It finally launched in fall of 2002 and after a few years of successful sales went public in 2005/6 and issued stock to finance its future vacuum operations.  It is doing quite well even in the down market and economy.  Neato hasn't been successful yet in doing this for itself and instead is looking for venture capital and/or US government assistance.  Haven't seen the product in stores yet either.  I suspect it will have a hard time breaking the hold that iRobot Rhomba already has with retailers and customers.  Have to wait and see what the future holds.

Carmine D.

Howdy all,

The Neato has been out for about a month.  Here's the first review I've come across:

http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2010/08/23/neatos_mighty_if_not_mindful_vacuum_cleaner/

Venson

Thanks Venson for the Neato review.  Appears that it cleans well considering the reviewer owns and uses a dyson [probably a DC07/14 and says the Neato does better.  But it falls short in the robotics.  iRobot's Romba gets the awards for the robotics.

Carmine D.