The Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 is an autonomous floor-cleaning robot, designed to vacuum and mop the floor (Eren & Doğan, 2022). In terms of features, the Mi robot consists of a vacuum, a pressurised mop, a side brush, a path optimization algorithm, and visual sensors, to name a few. However, this essay focuses on only its cleaning ability, by looking at its cleaning power and effectiveness in cleaning hard-to-clean regions. The cleaning power is determined by two key features: the vacuum, a suction mechanism to attract dirt to its dustbin (Asafa et. al, 2018); and the pressurised mop, a cloth pressed downwards to wipe the floor. Consequently, to assess how effectively it cleans hard-to-reach areas, this essay examines the performance of its side brushes and manoeuvrability. The side brush refers to a mechanism that kicks up dirt to direct it into the vacuum (Layton, n.d.), while manoeuvrability is defined by how well it can manoeuvre domestic household layouts. This essay argues that despite slight flaws in the pressurised mop, the Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2’s strong vacuum, ideal shape and size, and innovative side brush technology allow the Mi robot to have a strong cleaning ability.
In terms of the vacuuming ability, the Mi robot fares strong. The Mi Robot Vacuum-mop2 has a suction power of 2700Pa (Mi, n.d.). In comparison, the suction power of most vacuums lies between 1000 Pa and 2000 Pa (Neakasa, 2023), suggesting that the Mi robot’s suction power is 80 percent above average. Not only is the suction power above average, but it also outperforms its predecessor, which has a lower suction power of 2500Pa (Mi, n.d.). With the consensus that higher suction power equates to better cleaning results (Broendum, n.d.), it can be concluded that the Mi robot boasts robust vacuuming capabilities.
To support its strong vacuuming ability, the Mi robot’s small size and circular shape allows it to reach and clean hard-to-reach areas in the domestic household. Bass, who tested the robot, notes that the robot should not have issues going into hard-to-reach areas under furniture (2022). Thus, this showcases the ideality of the robot’s size for the domestic household. As for the circular shape, Eren and Doğan (2022) argue that “circular-shaped robots have the least probability of getting stuck”, reducing the need for human intervention. Hence, the small size and circular shape of the Mi Robot allows it to manoeuvre and effectively reach and clean hard-to-reach areas in the domestic household.
Furthermore, the Mi robot has a side brush that allows it to “clean along edges and tight spaces” (Lee, n.d.), boosting its ability to clean hard-to-reach areas. Additionally, this model uses a hex-side brush that features six bristle arms. Six arms then improve its coverage, making it less likely to miss any dust (Mi, n.d.). In contrast, other models mostly have brushes with only one to three sides. For example, both the similarly priced Deebot N10(FairPrice, n.d.) and Roomba combo i5(Irobot, n.d.), have brushes with only three sides, suggesting the Mi robot’s superiority. Therefore, its innovative side brush allows the robot to further excel in cleaning hard-to-reach areas.
However, as much as the other features excel, the mopping technology has drawbacks. The mop relies on only two pressurised points to press a cloth against the floor, which does not provide enough pressure. This weakness is evident in reviews, with Tan(2022) and Bass(2022) describing the mopping as just gliding across the floor. Bass further points out that the robot lacks a way “to simulate the ‘mopping’ action” (2022). In contrast, Roborock, its competitor, simulates mopping with a “VibraRise mopping system”. This system uses sonic vibration technology to scrub up to 3000 times per minute (Roborock, n.d.), a better imitation of mopping and is thus more effective. Overall, these highlight the shortcomings in the mopping technology.
Despite its flaws, it should be noted that mopping in vacuum robots is a new technology. According to Doyle (2023), only some of the latest vacuum cleaners can mop while they vacuum. The freshness of the technology suggests a lack of time for optimization. Therefore, flaws in the mopping technology are to be expected.
In conclusion, although there are flaws in the mopping system, overall, the Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 still has a strong cleaning ability. Its exceptional suction power, ideal shape and size, and innovative hex side brush work together to allow it to clean all areas of a domestic household well.
References
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http://www.sci.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~mqazhar/teaching/bpc/notes/roomba-howstuffworks.pdf
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