As part of the Xiaomi ecosystem, the Roborock a dominant market share holder in the smart robot vacuum cleaner market, is now looking to reform the way it works with a number of new technologies. A Roborock S7 has finally gone back to basics, improving the efficiency of hacking.
A little Roborock history
Roborock robotic vacuum cleaners have been available to the global market for 3 years and since then, numerous models have been introduced by the manufacturer. As a contract manufacturer, models such as the first generation Xiaomi (Mijia) Mi robot vacuum cleaner and the Xiaowa range, not to mention cordless vacuum cleaners, are also associated with Roborock.
The first really successful model was the S5 series (S50/S55), which is still the most popular robot vacuum cleaner not only globally but also in Hungary. In addition to the constantly evolving software, the assembly quality is also by far the best in the field, practically indestructible.
The Roborock S6 arrived in the summer of 2019, followed by the S6 Pure at the end of the year, which did not feature any major innovations apart from the obligatory facelift. Not so the S5 Max, which now features an electronic water pump, making it the ideal cleaning tool for medium to large homes and businesses, whether for sweeping or mopping up. True, the latter can only effectively remove thin dust from the floor, and can't deal with stubborn stains. That's why we don't use the word mopping either, because it hasn't been suitable for that purpose. The S6 MaxV was nothing new in this respect either, with navigation and camera knowledge being the extras. Until today.
CES 2021
11 January 2021. - For the first time in the history of the CES (Consumer Electronics Show), the pandemic has meant that the event will be held online rather than live in the centre of Las Vegas.
On the very first day, Roborock revealed the S7, which we had been looking forward to for a week based on the posters.
In the pictures, the manufacturer has highlighted two fundamental problems with robot vacuum cleaners:
- How does a robot vacuum cleaner deal with spills?
- How can I avoid soaking the carpet with a wet mop?
Our colleague Kornél searched for the answer to the first question by testing two vacuum cleaners and came to the conclusion that practically none of the robotic vacuum cleaners can handle completely dry stains, which can only be partially removed after repeated attempts.
In the second case, Roborock has so far reacted with a no-mop zone, i.e. it has skipped cleaning the pre-defined areas (carpet) when the mop is wet. This meant that we had to send the vacuum cleaner through the entire apartment once without a mop, then put the mop on to mop up and in mop up mode the vacuum cleaner would already avoid the carpet.
Since Roborock vacuums don't have a mop-only mode, you either have to send it twice to get the carpet clean and the floor dust-free, or you have to manually Spot/Zone clean the carpet separately without a mop.
Roborock S7
Let's be clear from the start. The S7 is a direct successor to the S6/S6 Pure and not an evolution of the S6 MaxV, so don't look for the dual camera system called Reactive AI in the S7.
Design
The basics have not changed: the disc-shaped body remains, with the single-eye side brush on the lower right, drop sensors, planetary wheel and two motorized drive wheels, charging connectors, and the main brush.
Here, at the main brush, we already see a significant difference. There are no bristles! I'll explain this in more detail below.
Below, there is another difference, but only to the expert eye: it is an ultrasonic carpet sensor, which will also be discussed below. So the shape hasn't changed significantly, just enough to emphasise the vacuum cleaner's prowess. This is most visible at the top, around the laser tower.
The whole 'campaign' is sloganised as sonic (yes, like an electric toothbrush) mopping, a solution that, most like a wave, echoes back as a tiny ripple of water around the LDS tower. The wave continues into bands on the back of the vacuum cleaner body.
The 3 control buttons on the top are mostly familiar from the S6 MaxV, no changes in functionality are known. The S7 will now also be available in two colours, white and black.
Introducing VibraRise™
This is not another TV shop fitness device, but a sonic (vibration) solution to the Roborock S7. The principle is similar to that of vibration motors in phones, only everything is bigger and not sound or touch feedback.
Sonic vibration technology replaces manual scrubbing. It pulsates 3000 times per minute, triggering a powerful but gentle scrubbing action that, combined with the new mop cloth and a 300 ml water tank, can effectively remove food stains, coffee and soda spills, mud or even dirt and salt from melted snow.
Lift-up mop
The first problem that arises is a pipe, but what about soaking the carpet?
Okay, let's not overdo it. A wet mop can't get your expensive carpet wet, but it can apply enough water from the wet mop to the surface of the carpet over a stretch of about 30-50 centimetres to make it uncomfortable to walk barefoot or in socks until it dries. Roborock has also cleverly solved this in a way that makes cleaning as comfortable as possible for us and doesn't cause extra work to take down and put up the mop. Of course, you still have to take the mop down and wash it after cleaning if you don't want to get unpleasant smells and buy a new mop every month.
I said a good analogy to this before the presentation, which is used in agricultural machinery: "when the tractor has finished ploughing, it picks up the plough and moves on...”
I think it's an apt analogy, the el is the same here. But it is also used in many areas. If the ultrasonic sensor at the bottom of the vacuum cleaner detects carpet, a motorised solution can raise the tray holding the mop by 5mm, which is enough to prevent the wet mop rag from touching the fibres of the short fibre carpet that is recommended anyway.
Ultrasonic carpet detection
The S7's ultrasonic sensor detects the carpet with extreme accuracy. The first time you use it, vacuum your home completely so that it detects all the carpets on the floor, which you can then save on the map. You can then choose to let the vacuum lift the carpet to vacuum, or designate a No-Mop zone on the carpet to keep it out.
Upgraded floating brush
The main brush of the robotic vacuum cleaner is also called a floating brush, because it not only rotates along a fixed axis, but the suspension of the unit is designed with bearings and a separate rotary motor to allow it to move in several directions (plane of motion) at a certain angle, adapting to the carpet, uneven surfaces and overcoming small obstacles. This is an important and expensive unit, so it is worth taking care not to force any rolled up objects out, but to remove the frame holding the brush and then unroll the foreign object from the removed brush. As the illustration shows, the brush has a much more refined movement and is able to move to a greater extent.
Sticking closer to better cleaning
The brush must remain close to the floor to agitate the dirt (to direct it into the suction port). The S7's new floating main brush allows for more planes of movement, following the ground closely even on uneven surfaces to ensure better cleanliness.
Brand new, all-rubber main brush
Long lasting cleaning
The manufacturer says goodbye to the old bristle finish and replaces it with ribbed soft silicone lamellas. More durable and easier to clean, the spiral blades are more efficient. And even better, you can avoid cleaning up tangled hairs.
Powerful suction performance with HyperForce™
This is not a TV shop either, just Roborock's patented suction system. The suction motor has probably not been changed, it is not overdriven, just the suction port has been designed to be capable of 2500 Pa suction force at maximum speed. This will rarely be used because it is both noisy and not good for the engine in the long term (like floor gas revving the engine in twos). Experience and testing has shown that the first 3 modes of the 4 power settings are enough to use in any home, i.e. a large family with pets will not produce enough dirt that cannot be removed by 3-5 suitable cleanings a week on Normal or High suction. However, if warranted, it is possible to use the maximum power for a shorter period of time.
The fine dust is guaranteed to end up in the hopper, even from the deepest depths of the carpet. It's worth a try: before you set up the robot vacuum cleaner, clean your home with a conventional vacuum cleaner and then look in the dust container after the first cleaning. You will be surprised.
Continuous cleaning, all week
Regular cleaning is not only good for your home, it's good for your body too. The daily amount of dust you'd find in an average home (because the windows and doors aren't hermetically sealed) won't be a burden on your lungs, especially if you add an air purifier.
The battery capacity remains unchanged, still a 5200mAhmulti-cell Li-ion battery is responsible for the long operating time. Fully charged, a net 280-300m2-This is the size of the surface that the vacuum cleaner can reach, so there is no furniture, appliances or bathtubs.
An average gross (i.e. furnished) 70-100m2-can clean a home 3-4 times on a single charge. If you live in a villa, you don't need to worry - unless you've put the dock in the garage - because around 20%, the vacuum will stop charging, go back to the dock to charge and then resume cleaning when it reaches 80%. When finished, it will dock again and wait for the next working day fully charged.
For frequent cleaning, a 470 ml dust tank and a 300 ml water tank are available, the latter 200m2-is sufficient for mopping floors.
Software
In Mi Home or Roborock, you'll find a wealth of options to fully customise cleaning throughout your home.
- suction power in 4 speeds
- water volume adjustment
- no go zones and virtual walls
- no-mop zones, carpet detection and mapping
- schedule cleaning, even at different times per room, in sequence, with the possibility to set the suction power and water volume individually
- New: vibration intensity adjustment for the mop, special "deep mopping" mode for ultra-intense mopping.
Precision mapping
With accurate LiDAR navigation, you can create detailed maps of your home and recognise rooms up to four levels.
Route tracking
During the cleaning, look at the exact route taken, where it has finished and where it is heading.
Carpet display
After identification, the mats are automatically marked on all maps for easier management.
Set the intensity of the Cleaning
Suction force, Vibration force, Water flow. There is even a special "deep mop" mode for ultra-intense mopping. Choose the one that works best for you.
Restricted areas
You can set up no-go zones and invisible (virtual) walls to restrict access to problem areas or protect fragile furniture. No additional equipment (magnetic tape) is required.
Advanced schedule
You can automate the cleaning to adapt it to your life. Clean specific rooms at specific times, several times a day, the whole house once a week, and everything in between.
Voice control
Do you have Amazon Alexa, Google Home or Siri (Apple HomeKit)? All three platforms are supported, all of which can control your vacuum cleaner with voice.
Roborock Auto-Empty Dock
The icing on the cake, the crowning glory of Roborock's robotic vacuum cleaners so far, is the Roborock Auto-Empty Dock concept, which is not yet ready (not even sure of the design), but when it becomes available, it will be the manufacturer's first self-emptying system to join the elite that Viomi or Roidmi (as two Xiaomi ecosystem manufacturers) have already entered in the last month.
Appearance and price
If the previous schedule continues this year, the S7 will be available through official channels sometime in the summer. It will take until then to ramp up production and secure accessories. I can only guess at the price. I don't expect the manufacturer to position it below the S6 MaxV, so you can expect 230-250e Ft from Hungarian purchase with Hungarian warranty (maybe the S6 MaxV price will drop by then), plus the Roborock Auto-Empty Dock.
