‘Mind-blowing’ feature of vacuum robot

Although it comes with an expensive price tag, tech reviewer Elly Awesome says this robot is worth every cent.

With all of the rapid advancements in mobile phones and computers, many of our tasks such as ordering food, finding information and taking photos have become simplified. But what about tech simplifying our chores? When are we going to catch up to sci-fi movies with robots doing just about everything for us? Enter the DEEBOT X1, a robot vacuum and mop all-in-one.

Robot vacuums have existed for over a decade, though I feel like they’re only just making a splash in the Australian market, finally being seen as a reliable, enjoyable, vacuum alternative. In the past, and probably even now, I feel that many people see robot vacuums as quirky and semi-unreliable for their price point. However, it’s important to note that in the past they haven’t possessed the technology we have today, such as high-resolution cameras, 3D scanning technology and even AI (which improves the cleaning experience as you go).

Elly Awesome relaxing as she reviews the new DEEBOT X1 robot vacuum and mop all-in-one. Pictures: Elly Awesome

Features

The latest ECOVACS DEEBOT X1 TURBO and OMNI both possess all the top tier bells and whistles currently available to the robot vacuum (and mop) market. They’re certainly better than last year’s models and a step above the cleaning robots I’ve tried before, with better suction and more thorough mopping.

My favourite feature is on the OMNI in particular – which can vacuum and mop simultaneously and then wash and dry its own mop without lifting a finger. ECOVACS are calling this a ‘truly hands-free cleaning experience’ and it’s pretty revolutionary.

The all-in-one cleaning machine can wash and dry its own mop without you lifting a finger. Picture: Elly Awesome

Focusing on the ECOVACS DEEBOT X1 OMNI, the ultimate robot vacuum and mop within ECOVAC’s latest range, the OMNI consists of a robot and a base station. The base station houses the water needed for mopping and even has a bin bag installed so that your vacuum can auto-empty the dirt and dust after it has completed a clean. This is also the OMNI’s little home where it resides for charging until you activate it through the ECOVAC’s app or with your voice.

I love that you never have to worry about it running out of battery.

The DEEBOT X1 OMNI has a base station which houses the water required for mopping and has a bin bag installed so the vacuum can auto-empty dirt and dust after a clean. Picture: Elly Awesome

Mopping and voice control

There’s not much else you need to do apart from fill up the water reservoir in the base station (every now and then) or empty the dust bag about every two months. Then you can ask the robot, who responds to ‘YIKO’, to start cleaning or using the app you can choose a select area you’d like the bot to clean. You can also set schedules for times when you’d like it to clean, for example, when you’re at work so it cleans while you’re away.

The only thing you will need to do is fill up the water reservoir. Picture: Elly Awesome

The main thing to note is that the DEEBOT X1 OMNI is most useful for people who predominantly have hard floors such as floorboards, concrete or tiles. If this is the case, it will simultaneously mop and vacuum your house using its highly intelligent built-in object avoidance that can actually recognise and avoid items such as a shoes, the couch, pets or people. As it cleans it will build a virtual map of your home which can be seen on the app so that you can then customise areas you want your robot to clean.

It also gets smarter every time it cleans, learning the common obstacles it needs to avoid while it continues to perfect its floorplan of your home.

Sometimes, you’ll only need DEEBOT to clean a quick spill in the kitchen or you might only want it to vacuum the bedroom. After the first few cleans you can use the map it creates to select exactly where you want DEEBOT to go, and even customise the suction power or water flow for the mop. This can be adjusted in app or by saying ‘YIKO clean the living room near the couch’, ‘YIKO stronger suction power’ or ‘YIKO lower water consumption’.

You can use the DEEBOT X1 OMNI to clean a quick spill in the kitchen. Picture: Elly Awesome

The DEEBOT has 5000pa of suction power which is impressive for a vacuum of this style and size and its all new mop heads spin and vibrate giving you a much better clean than the budget models that just wipe the floor with a pad soaked in water.

The only setback with the device is you need to consciously remove the mopping pads if you want the robot to go over your carpeted areas. (It won’t go on carpet with the mopping pads installed to avoid your carpet getting wet.)

Unless otherwise directed, the bot will simultaneously vacuum and mop at all times. If you only want occasional mopping though, it’s a case of only installing the mops when you need them, which just pop on and off. Otherwise, you’re always good to go for vacuuming and the suction is great, it picks up crumbs and dust even up against wall edges and it can even remove surface pet hair.

The suction picks up crumbs and even removes surface pet hair. Picture: Elly Awesome

Pricing and availability

Overall, the OMNI is an amazing piece of technology that has blown my mind with its ability to not only vacuum and mop but then wash and dry its own mop parts, with practically no human interference. The product comes at a premium with the OMNI retailing for $2499. And although I’d need to save up for this one, for hard floor homes it’s a real treat.

Mopping is one of those chores I skip out on all too often and if all I have to do is empty the dirty water container and replace the dust bag out of the clean station from time to time I am very happy!

Elly Awesome is an Aussie tech and lifestyle vlogger | @ellyawwesome | YouTube

Originally published as ‘Mind-blowing’ feature of vacuum robot