I'll make sure you don't lift a finger!- The Evolution of Robot Vacuum Cleaners

 

One of the Closest "Robots" in Everyday Life

 Do you use a robot vacuum cleaner? With the rapid advancement of AI technology, we are already living alongside numerous robots. Among them, one of the most actively helpful is the robot vacuum cleaner.

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Robot Vacuum Features That Do It All for You

 Living up to its name, today's robot vacuums have evolved to the point where there’s almost nothing left for humans to do. Mapping your home's layout is a basic feature now. They can also mop, clean the mopping pad, dry and sterilize it, and even replace it automatically. Some models now come with direct drainage systems so you don't even have to empty the dirty water tank yourself. Robot vacuum automation technology is evolving rapidly.

<Automation technologies in robot vaccum>

These features have made cleaning completely hands-free. In fact, younger generations are particularly willing to spend on premium models because of their unmatched convenience.

A Growing Market for Robot Vacuums

 The robotic vacuum cleaner market is expanding rapidly, with significant growth seen worldwide. In South Korea, for instance, the market surged to an estimated 294 million USD in 2023, marking a remarkable 48% increase from the previous year. What's more, with current household penetration standing at just 15%, there's clearly substantial room for future growth. The key to robotic vacuums becoming such a prominent part of our lives lies in the continuous, rapid advancement of their underlying technology.

So, let's explore some of the patented technologies that make robotic vacuum cleaners smarter and more efficient.

| Patented Technologies in Robot Vacuums

1. Environmental Mapping and Area Segmentation

 Robot vacuums started detecting obstacles with sensors around 20 years ago—longer ago than you might think. With the adoption of SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) in the 2000s, navigation and mapping capabilities significantly improved. In the 2020s, enhanced sensor technologies have enabled even more precise detection and exploration.

Robot vaccum mapping its surroundings
< source: samsung.com >

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KR10-2297496, "A robot cleaner using artificial intelligence and control method thereof"

 In 2019, LG Electronics filed a patent that enables the vacuum to divide its cleaning area into multiple zones for targeted operation. According to the patent, the robot captures video data through an image sensing unit. The controller processes this data, recognizing spatial relationships between the robot and obstacles to build a map. This reduces unnecessary movement, avoids collisions, and completes cleaning more efficiently.

2. Dry and Wet Cleaning Simultaneously

 Many newer models now include mopping functions, greatly enhancing user convenience. Previously, even if wet mopping was possible, simultaneous dry sweeping was often unsupported. However, depending on the type of dirt or flooring, simultaneous dry and wet cleaning may be needed. In Asia, for example, mopping floors is common practice, making this a high-potential feature.

Optimized cleaning based on floor conditions
< source: us.roborock.com >

So, there is a technology that solves the limitations of existing robot vacuum cleaners, which can only perform one of two cleaning modes: dry cleaning (sweeping) or wet cleaning (mopping). It is a technology that was applied for by China's Roborock in 2022.

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US11612295, "Autonomous cleaning device"

It adjusts cleaning parameters based on floor conditions and allows the dry and wet cleaning modules to move up and down via a "lifting structure." This enables simultaneous cleaning with different types of motions, enhancing both efficiency and performance.

3. Detecting Low-Height Obstacles Accurately

In the past, robotic vacuum cleaners often struggled with accurately detecting objects below a certain height, such as thick carpets, door sills, or window frames. Traditional camera or laser sensors alone weren't precise enough. This often led to problems: the robot might try to drive over an impassable object, causing it to get stuck or tangled. Conversely, it might needlessly avoid an easily passable object, resulting in inefficient cleaning.

Robot vaccum crossing a threshold freely
< source: lge.co.kr >

In some Korean homes, door frames and sliding door tracks often interfere with robot movement. Fortunately, machine learning and AI have resolved many of these issues.

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KR10-2550260, "Robot cleaner"

In 2018, LG Electronics filed a patent for a technology that effectively recognizes and navigates objects below a certain height, using low-level object detection units like cliff sensors combined with machine learning. This innovation means we no longer have to worry about clearing cables or clothes from the floor beforehand, nor do we need to manually move the robot vacuum over thresholds it can't cross on its own.

4. Self-changing cleaning pads

Modern robotic vacuum cleaners often include a mopping function to tackle floor stains. When this feature first appeared, users had the inconvenience of manually detaching, washing, drying, and reattaching the mop pads. However, later models evolved to feature self-cleaning, sanitizing, and drying mop modules directly within their charging stations.

Cleaning pads underneath the robot
< source: samsung.com >

Even with these advancements, a single cleaning pad can't last indefinitely and may require multiple replacements over time. That's where another patented technology comes in: the ability for the robot to automatically replace its cleaning pads without any direct user intervention.

wipsglobal.com
KR10-2618897, "Robot cleaner, station and cleaning system"

In 2023, Samsung Electronics filed a patent for a technology that enables robotic vacuum cleaners to autonomously manage their cleaning pads. This innovation incorporates magnets into both the pad attachment mechanism and the pads themselves. A lift device, driven by an actuator, then uses this magnetic system. This allows the robot vacuum to detach soiled pads on its own, even when not docked in its station. Once it returns to the station, it can then automatically receive a fresh pad from storage.

What Will the Next Generation of Robot Vacuums Look Like?

We’ve taken a look at some of the most impressive patented technologies behind the recent evolution of robot vacuums. With features like wet mopping, scheduled auto-cleaning, automatic water supply and drainage, pet care, and dustbin emptying already available, it makes you wonder what more could be developed. As these devices continue to sense and respond to our living spaces in real-time, we can look forward to a future where they become the central hub of smart homes—or even agile robotic assistants in their own right.