As previously reported, iRobot CEO Colin Angle has aimed iRobot at data science, AI and building platforms so robots can better collaborate. During the COVID-19 pandemic, iRobot saw a spike in demand and usage. From there, iRobot set a strategy that extended its base of robotics hardware to integration software. iRobot’s Genius 3.0 Home Intelligence platform is now operating across the company’s connected robot portfolio. Rooba j7+ is powered by iRobot Genius 3.0, which includes PrecisionVision Navigation. The feature enables the robot to learn your floors, remember rooms and furniture and can clean when you’re away and stop when you return. Perhaps the biggest feature in Genius 3.0 is the ability to avoid solid pet waste.
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With the POOP guarantee any Roomba j7+ that doesn’t avoid poop will be replaced. The Roomba j7+ robot vacuum with Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal is available at $849 from iRobot with other retailers offering presales Sept. 12 with Sept. 19 availability. The vacuum will be available under the iRobot Select membership program in the fourth quarter. With iRobot Select, the company is offering a $29 a month subscription that covers the vacuum, maintenance and upgrades.
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With Genius 3.0, iRobot is rolling out the following features:
Robots will use a phone’s location services to trigger cleaning to automatically begin when you leave a boundary and stop when you return. Room and smart map coaching and suggestions. An ability to suggest cleaning schedules. Cleaning time estimates. And a quiet drive mode where the robot will shut down vacuuming components when not in its active cleaning job.
On July 29, iRobot released its second-quarter financial results and supply chain challenges. Nevertheless, Angle said iRobot’s long-term plan is showing promise.
