Roborock’s profile as a quality robot vacuum brand has risen in recent years to put the company in competition with other notable manufacturers like iRobot and Shark. And with the unveiling of its new top-of-the-line Roborock S7 robot vacuum, Roborock’s reputation for high-performing machines should be solidified. Indeed, it was one of our favorite robot vacuums of CES 2021, standing out with its sonic mopping feature.
The Roborock S7 is a mopping-vacuum hybrid capable of cleaning your entire living space. Our reviewer praised the Roborock S7 for its sonic mopping technology, among other attributes. Equipped with Roborock’s new VibraRise technology, the S7’s mopping pad is capable of vibrating at 3,000 times per minute, allowing it to aggressively clean stains and other tough spots. This translates to fewer passes over the same area and quicker cleaning times. Another distinguishing component of the S7’s VibraRise technology is the ability to retract and apply its mopping pad as needed. Whereas other machines require the user to remove the pad when it’s time to vacuum, the Roborock S7 can switch between mopping and vacuum modes all on its own when it detects a carpeted surface via ultrasonic sound. In addition to the convenience this affords, the intelligent mop-lift feature also means that users don’t need to designate “no mop” zones via the vacuum’s smart map. And when the S7 is done mopping, it lifts the pad to ensure that it doesn’t leave behind any dirty streaks.
Roborock has also amped up the Roborock S7’s vacuuming capabilities. It comes equipped with 2,500 pa of suction power, giving it the ability to suck up even the most ground-in dirt. Roborock has upgraded the main brush by replacing the bristled design of past models with a finned rubber brush. The brush’s floating design allows it to hug the floor, even on uneven surfaces. And with a 470ml dustbin, you’ll need to empty the S7 less often than other models. (Roborock also plans to release an accompanying auto-empty dock that will allow the robot vac to self-empty.)
The S7 also has an upgraded battery; its 5,200mAh battery allows it to clean for three hours on a single charge.
The Roborock S7 uses lidar technology to identify rooms and map out a path for cleaning efficiently, while its Sensient sensors enable it to avoid obstacles. Additionally, the S7 can be controlled via an easy-to-use app available for both iOS and Android devices. With the app, users can view a smart map and see where the robot vac is in real time, as well as designate no-go areas. You can also schedule specific cleaning periods so that you always return to a clean home. Plus, the Roborock S7 will send notifications via the app if it becomes stuck or needs your assistance in some way. You can also control the Roborock with voice assistants through Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Siri.
The Roborock S7 comes in white (with plans for a Roborock S7 in black for the future) and is outfitted with “breathing” LED lights. It will be available for purchase at Amazon on March 24.
Amazon has been a major player in the smart home market for years, but fresh competition from Apple may have lit a fire under it. The company has just unveiled a new lineup of Alexa devices, including Echo speakers, a smart alarm clock, a photo frame, and the Echo Show 16. On the software side, Amazon also introduced Alexa Home Map, which puts your connected devices on an interactive 3D model of your house, letting you monitor and control them from one place.
Your entire smart home on a 3D map
Our phones have made it easy to capture our lives in beautiful photos. But that also means we shoot hundreds of photos every year and don't look at them, as they keep collecting the proverbial dust in our phone's gallery. Amazon’s new Alexa Photo Frame wants to put those forgotten shots on your shelf instead.
Amazon revealed the frame alongside several new Alexa devices, including a new smart alarm clock and a 16-inch Echo Show. It pulls pictures from Amazon Photos, which Prime members can fill up without paying extra for storage.
Amazon has unveiled a new Alexa lineup featuring the Echo Show 16, Echo Time smart clock, and Alexa Photo Frame. Two speakers join them: an upgraded Echo Dot with a built-in smart home hub and the Echo Studio with Home Camera, which lets Alexa+ see its surroundings. Both are available now for $99.99 and $249.99, respectively.
The Echo Dot does more than play music