The Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 is an autonomous floor-cleaning robot, designed to vacuum and mop(Eren & Doğan, 2022). Our research focused on evaluating its cleaning ability, specifically cleaning strength and its effectiveness in cleaning hard-to-clean areas. The cleaning strength is determined by two main features: the suction mechanism, which creates a vacuum to attract dirt to its dustbin(Asafa et.al, 2018), and the pressurised mop, which uses a cloth to wipe the floor. The effectiveness of its ability to clean hard-to-clean parts is then determined by the side brushes and manoeuvrability. The side brush kicks up dirt to direct it into the vacuum area and is evaluated on how well it cleans along edges and tight spaces(Layton, n.d.), while its manoeuvrability is evaluated upon its size and shape since in a domestic household, robots need to manoeuvre under tables and in confined spaces(Lee, n.d.).
Based upon these criteria the Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 generally shows a good cleaning ability, with its strong vacuum ability, ideal shape and size, and innovative side brush technology. However, the mopping mechanisms have room for improvement as it is not as effective as its competitors.
The vacuum is the main feature of the robot, where it uses an electric motor to create a partial vacuum, forcing dirt into the machine. (Asafa et.al, 2018). The power of this vacuum is then measured through suction power, where high suction power equates to better cleaning results(Broendum, n.d.). The Mi Robot Vacuum-mop2 has a suction power of 2700Pa(Mi, n.d.), and according to Neakasa(2023), “most vacuums have suction power between 1000 Pa and 2000 Pa”, suggesting that the Mi robot’s suction ability is 80 percent above average. This impressive suction is further supported by a NIDEC Japanese brand brushless motor(Mi, n.d.), a motor with a high efficiency of more than 80%, surpassing other motors. On top of its superior efficiency, it has a “small size, low vibration, low noise, and long life” (Nidec, n.d.), allowing it to further outperform the other motor types. Thus, we can see that the vacuum mechanisms in the Mi robot have robust cleaning capabilities further supported by its high-quality motor.
The shape and size of the Mi robot are ideal, being of a circular shape and not being too big. As Eren and Doğan(2022) argue, “circular-shaped robots have the least probability of getting stuck”, reducing the need for human intervention when stuck. The “circular vacuum cleaners also have a lower risk of causing damage to any object they collide into due to their soft round edges”. All of this suggests that the circular shape is ideal. The size of the robot is also ideal, with reviews suggesting that the robot should not have issues going under hard-to-reach areas under furniture. (Bass, 2022) At 353mm by 350mm by 81mm(Mi, n.d.), the Mi robot is of a similar size to other robot models, such as the Deebot N10, the Deebot U2 Pro, Roborock Q8 Max or the Roomba combo i5 to name a few, further accentuating the lack of flaw in the size. Thus, the shape and size choice of the Mi Robot is ideal.
The Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 has one side brush, whose main purpose is to “help clean along edges and tight spaces”(Lee, n.d.). As detailed by Layton, J., the brush kicks up dirt to direct it into the vacuum area (n.d.). This particular model uses a hex-side brush, setting it apart from its competitors. As implied by the name, it features 6 bristle arms, improving its coverage, and making it less likely to miss any dust(Mi, n.d.). In comparison, most other models on the market have brushes with only 1-3 sides. For example, the similarly priced Deebot N10 and Roomba combo i5, have brushes with only 3 sides, suggesting the Mi robot’s superiority in this regard. Therefore it’s innovative side brush technology of a hex side brush, allows the robot to excel in cleaning hard-to-reach areas.
The mopping technology is much more limited compared to its competitors, relying on only two pressurised points to press a cloth against the floor. Tan describes the mopping as “merely gliding across the floor”(2022), and similarly Bass underscores that the robot only wipes the floor, lacking the “mechanised or vibrating system” used by competitors that “moves in a back and forth direction to simulate the ‘mopping’ action”(2022). For instance, Roborock, a competitor in the robot-mop vacuum industry, employs a “VibraRise mopping system” that uses sonic vibration technology to allow the mop to scrub up to 3000 times per minute(Roborock, n.d.), which is significantly more effective than the Mi robot which essentially only scrubs once. Thus, the mopping technology has considerable room for improvement. Nevertheless, since mopping is not the primary feature of this robot, limitations are somewhat expected.
In conclusion, the Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2’s exceptional suction power, alongside its ideal shape and size, and innovative hex side brush, allows it to clean well and reach hard-to-reach areas, only being limited by its mopping ability. Overall it is an efficient choice for household cleaning, though its mopping could be improved upon in future iterations.
References
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cleaner robot. Alexandria Engineering Journal, 57(4), 2911-2920. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2018.07.005
Bass, Terry. (2022, May). Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Review: Jam Packed With The
Essentials. Axo. Retrieved September 27, 2023, from https://theaxo.com/2022/xiaomi-mi-robot-vacuum-mop-2-review/
Eren, A & Dogan, H (2022). Design and implementation of a cost effective vacuum
cleaner robot. Turkish Journal of Engineering, 6(2), 166-177. Retrieved September 17, 2023, from https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/1411730
Jenkins, F (n.d.). Practical requirements for a Domestic Vacuum-Cleaning Robot. AAAI
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Lee. (n.d.). Robot Vacuum Side Brushes. Them Vacuums. Retrieved September 17, 2023,
from https://themvacuums.com/robot-vacuum-side-brushes-know/
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https://www.mi.com/global/product/mi-robot-vacuum-mop-2/
Neakasa. (2023, Mar). What is a High Suction Vacuum? Retrieved September 27, 2023,
from https://neakasa.com/blogs/all/what-is-a-high-suction-vacuum
Nidec. (N.d.). Brushless Motors Retrieved September 27, 2023, from
https://www.nidec.com/en/technology/capability/brushless/
Tan, Joycelyn. (2022, April). I let this Xiaomi robot vacuum mop clean my house for a
week, I didn’t like what it found. Vulcan Post. Retrieved September 27, 2023, from https://vulcanpost.com/785788/xiaomi-robot-vacuum-mop-2-features-performance-price/
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