As technologies advance robot vacuum cleaners will become people’s ‘primary not sole’ household cleaning option, industry experts have suggested.
With robot vacuum cleaners becoming increasingly advanced, and with a Dyson robot vacuum cleaner reportedly in the works, industry experts have suggested the automated household gadget will never be able to completely replace manual cleaning requirements.
“The thing about robotic vacuum cleaners is that they can’t do the edges, they can’t do the grill and they can’t do your car, it’s something we can do much quicker,” vacuum cleaner specialist James Dyson told Trusted Reviews. “There is an area for automation and we are developing a robot so we’re not ignoring it, more and more automation will come in, and connectivity and all that sort of thing.”
Discussing the lengths to which robot vacuum cleaners will take over, Dyson Engineer Toby Saville stated that “where we will end up is with both a cordless vacuum and a robot.” He added: “Robots will evolve to where they can clean as well as a corded, mains-powered vacuum, and then there is always going to be limit.
“Without some major jumps in technology they are always going to be floor only. They can’t climb stairs, they can’t clean window sills or book shelves or sofas, so there are some serious hurdles to get over. They will never be your sole vacuum, however I think they could well be your primary vacuum.”
Saville went on to add: “I think we would like to end up at a place where there won’t be any mains-powered vacuums at all, there will be a battery powered robot that does the main, deep cleaning and a handheld where you can do your manual, above floor cleaning tasks.”
Echoing Saville’s words, fellow engineer Manny Bennett said: “From my personal perspective, it currently seems pointless buying a robot vacuum cleaner as you can only use it on one floor and then you’ve got to lift it. It won’t do your stairs, I think essentially there is still room for improvement.”
As well as the limitations surrounding robotic technologies, Sir James Dyson has suggested that user enjoyment will also play a role in robot vacuum cleaners failing to become user’s sole cleaning appliance.
“We like doing certain things,” the inventor and designer said. “Many people get great satisfaction out of vacuuming and picking up the dirt. I think we like to do certain things so I don’t think automation and remoteness is necessarily to be desired. I’m not a luddite but there are some things that we like to do that we don’t want to lose to automation and connectivity.”
Would you happily hand over all your cleaning duties to a robot vacuum cleaner or would you rather hold something back for your own doing? Let us know via the Trusted Reviews Twitter and Facebook feeds or through the comment boxes below.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
