Samsung's NaviBot robot vacuum arrives in Australia

Stephen Withers
Thursday, 08 July 2010 12:16

Your IT - Home IT

Robot vacuum cleaners are nothing new, but the Australian debut of one from a mainstream manufacturer is worth noting.

The Samsung NaviBot is said to be capable of cleaning 100 square metres of floor in 40 minutes, automatically compensating as it moves between hard floors and carpeting. and passing over obstacles up to 1.5cm high (so it should be able to climb onto that thick rug).

When it runs low on power, it automatically returns to the docking station, recharges in two hours, then picks up where it left off.

Company officials claim the NaviBot's brushes clean right up to the walls and take care of pet hairs without tangling.

The NaviBot finds its way around with the aid of a camera and 38 sensors. A 'virtual guard' can be set up to exclude it from a particular area, and it can be programmed to clean rooms in a particular order.

The NaviBot goes on sale this month in two versions. The base model is $A799 and comes in grey; an extra $A200 buys a more advanced unit that can clean according to a daily schedule, incorporates a touch screen control panel, and includes two virtual guards and extra brush accessories.