The everyday maintenance of your home, washing the windows, mowing the lawn or cleaning the floors can seem like a job. More and more, consumers are leaning on robots to do their dirty work. Cleaning robots have come a long way since Electrolux created the Trilobite in 1996. In the last decade alone, robot vacuums have become a household must-have. As the technology has improved — better sensors, smarter programming and more capable microchips — innovations have followed in adjacent markets.
Businesses can now purchase robotic drones like the CC1 Cleaning Robot by RobotLAB, which will clean the floors of supermarkets or warehouses, sweeping, scrubbing, vacuuming and mopping, for around $25,000. Companies like RC Mowers now offer autonomous mowing robots that will manicure almost two acres per hour. Granted, that comes with a $55,000 price tag and annual subscription. Additionally, just a few years ago in 2022, Dyson announced they would spend the next several years perfecting a “housekeeping robot” with a market goal of 2030.
In the meantime, lots of affordable, consumer-grade robots have come online in the last few years to help clean up around the house. Innovation and advances in new technology have produced robots that will now clean your dirty windows, scrub the char off your grill and, yes, even mow your lawn. Let’s take a look and automate!
Your Lawn
35 years ago, when Honey, I Shrunk the Kids debuted in theaters, a whole generation of kids were inspired by what they saw on screen. Apart from the shrinking ray, one invention stood out: the remote-controlled lawnmower. As previously mentioned, the idea has been refined enough to be commercialized, but what about the regular homeowner who just wants their yard trimmed? Most of the remote lawnmowers you’ll find on the shelves today use an app, boundary wire, chargers and stakes, allowing you to map out your lawn. Typically, retail stores will stock robots from Worx, Husqvarna, Gardena or Ryobi, which are all under $1,000 and are great for small lawns about the size of a tennis court.
If you’ve got a bigger yard at home, GPS-enabled mowers are more costly but worth the investment. Both Mowrator and Mammotion offer more rugged options starting around $1,500, up to $4,000 in some cases. For example, in addition to being able to cut a 2-acre lawn, Mammotion’s LUBA robots can handle complex terrain with All-Wheel-Drive for up to a 38° slope. In addition to more precise controls, the LUBA has integrated lawn printing technology allowing for custom designs.
Your Floors
We’ve used several robot vacuums to clean up around the house over the years since 2016. I won’t mention brand names, but most were erratic in how they cleaned the house and I only remember one making it back to the charging dock without assistance. This year, we upgraded to the iRobot Roomba j9+ Vacuum and Mop and it works how I always hoped a cleaning robot would function, leaving the floors noticeably clean. After a quick unboxing, it mapped out the first floor and it now cleans when we’re out of the house for a few hours. While there are other options out there, like the Roborock S8 or models from Eufy and Shark, iRobot just launched their Roomba Combo 10 Max, which can vacuum and mop before self-emptying its bin then washing and drying its own mop pad.
Your Windows
Since debuting a few years back, window-cleaning robots like the Hobot-388 and the Winbot W2 Omni have entered a new generation of development. Lighter, faster and able to clean larger spaces, modern window robots can be helpful if your home has a lot of large, open windows or sliding glass doors. Meanwhile, other companies like Sophinique, Gladwell and Chovery have released smaller versions of the technology, which average around $120.
Your Grill
Cleaning off your grill after a long winter or a busy summer can get rather grimy and greasy quickly. Established in 2014, Grillbot has been perfecting its cleaning robot for almost a decade. Specializing in cleaning off the carbon deposits left on the grates of your grill, the Grillbot costs around $130 and just requires a push of the button and a close of the lid.
Your Cat’s Poop
We love cats here at Paste. But scooping cat poop? Not so much. Founded in 2001 by the ultimate cat dad Brad Baxter, Whiskers has been creating litter robots for more than a decade. Now on its fourth generation, the Litter-Robot provides a fresh bed of litter for your cat each time they use it. Newly added features include enough space for multiple cats, odor control and app connectivity that allows users to remotely monitor their pets. Paired with a Whiskers feeder you can make sure your cat is well taken care of, even when you’re not around.
Your Walls
While this isn’t a robot, it still falls under technology. Electrolyzed Water uses electricity to mix water, salt and vinegar, transforming it into a powerhouse cleaner and disinfectant. As strong as bleach but without any of the harsh chemicals, it’s been used in food production for several years now but its development dates back to the 1900s. The electro-chemical reaction creates two distinct solutions; Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH), which is a natural cleaner and degreaser, and Hypochlorous Acid (HOCL), which is a sanitizer and disinfectant.
Since starting in 2016, Force of Nature has emerged as one of the largest sellers of electrolyzed water, currently offering starter kits for around $70, but other companies including Pathosans and BioShield offer similar products.