Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Cleaner
We offer an overview of the operation of the Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum vacuum cleaner with a description of its appearance, functionality and specifics of operation. User assessment and comparison of the model with its closest competitors will help to decide on the feasibility of buying robotics from Xiaomi.
Manufacturers of household appliances are pleased with the original models of robotic vacuum cleaners, which greatly simplify cleaning indoors. The famous Chinese company Xiaomi, which promotes its product based on the Mijia ecosystem, is also trying to keep up with its competitors.
Appearance and Use of Xiaomi Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Having bought the device, you will get a considerable box with a vacuum cleaner, a brush for the dust filter, a charger and an instruction manual.
As for robotic vacuum cleaners, the design is pretty standard – a kind of white plate with a diameter of about 35 cm and a height of 10 cm.
The only significant difference in the appearance of the Xiaomi vacuum cleaner robot is the appearance of a laser sensor. It is placed on a small platform, which carries out 5 revolutions in a second.
The sensor analyzes the placement of objects in the room and draws up a cleaning plan. The sensor is safe for both humans and pets.
The motor of the robotic vacuum cleaner produces a minimum of noise. It ensures the efficient operation of the device even with the most problematic soiling of floors and carpets
To control the robot, the manufacturer has provided two buttons: “Turn on” and “Home”.
Features of their use are as follows.
- If you click on ” Turn on “, then the vacuum cleaner will clean the room.
- If you hold the ” Power ” button , the device turns on or off.
- Pressing the “ Home ” button causes the device to return to the base.
- If you hold the Home key for several seconds, the vacuum cleaner will clean up the area near it – a square with sides 1.5-2 m 2 .
- When you press and hold the two mentioned buttons, it will disconnect from the Internet.
On the rear panel there are 2 contact platforms. One is for cooling by removing warm air from the appliance. The second is the speaker, which informs about the mode of operation.
The front of the robot is a small bumper. The latter is equipped with two important elements: an impact sensor and an ultrasonic radar.
On the side there is a compartment with a distance sensor from the walls. The device operates at a distance of 1 cm from the latter. Using a side brush, removes dirt and dust near walls.
The basis of the vacuum cleaner is three different processors. They collect, analyze and store information together. Cleaning takes place on the most efficient route
If you open the lid of the device, you will see a plastic dust tank. It is transparent, so it is easy to control the level of fullness.
The container is easy to reach – a small finger hole is provided. To keep the container firmly attached to the frame, there is a rubber insert. A special sensor prevents the system from starting if the container is not in place.
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The device is equipped with 12 sensors:
- laser rangefinder LDS;
- placement sensor relative to the walls;
- collision sensor with objects;
- a sensor that signals the ingress of large particles into the device;
- laser distance meter LDS;
- dust sensor;
- ultrasonic radar;
- electronic compass;
- accelerometer;
- drop sensor;
- speedometer;
- fan speed sensor.
A little higher than the control keys contains a miniature light bulb. It glows blue when connected to a Wi-Fi network. If there is no Internet access, it blinks.
On the bottom of the device is a standard sticker from the manufacturer. It states that the power of the device is 55 W, and in order to recharge it in the network there must be a voltage of 14.4 V.
When the charge of the robotic vacuum cleaner ends, he returns to the “parking” without the intervention of the owners. When the device is charged, it returns to the place where the cleaning was interrupted.
The placement of the wheels of the robot provides a sufficient distance between the lower part of the housing and the floor. The vacuum cleaner overcomes small obstacles that do not exceed 2 cm.
The main brush is floating. It provides removal of dirt from the surfaces having roughnesses. To clean the brush, you need to remove it.
To do this, click on the special mounts, which are indicated by small red arrows. The disadvantage of the model is one side brush.
The battery life of the device is 2.5 hours, which is enough to clean a room of 250 m2. There is a battery with a capacity of 5200 mAh
Functionality and Features
| Kinematic system | 2 driving wheels and 1 roller |
| Dust collecting method | Vacuum filtration and inertial movement |
| Dust collector | 1 tank |
| Central brush | 1 (petal-bristly) |
| Side brush | 1 |
| Operating modes | Standard with return to base for recharging, local and on schedule |
| Cleaning area per charge | 250 m 2 |
| Housing control | Mechanics |
| Remote control | Using application and remote server |
| Alert | Voice and light signals |
| Offline work | 2.5 hours |
| Charging method | Using a special database |
| Power | 55 watts |
| Weight | 3.8 kg |
| Differences | Cleaning card, use of magnetic tape. |
| Products webpage | www.mi.com |
| Factory Price | 250 dollars |
Unlike other models of robotic vacuum cleaners , the device is equipped with an improved orientation system. It is able to receive data on the location of obstacles, 5 times per second by analyzing changes in the range of 360 °. Scanning speed is 108 thousand samples per minute.
To identify obstacles, many other models of vacuum cleaners come close to them. The robot determines the distance to things from a distance of 6 m, and the error is less than 2%
The application language is Chinese. However, information about the operating time, cleaning card and battery charge level is quite simple to find.
To control the robot, the Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Cleaner vacuum cleaner uses the MiHome application , which runs on the Android and iOS OS.
A few minutes are enough to download it. Next, you need to press both working keys and release them after a beep. The Wi-Fi lamp should light up. Go into the application, find the device and connect.
Since the robot remotely determines the placement of objects, it is able to form a map of the room. It also analyzes where it is relative to other things and where is the base station. The system remembers which places have already been removed and which are not.
Lidar – the sensor that is responsible for detecting obstacles – works at a certain height from the floor. He is unable to detect some things.
However, for obstacles that are placed in the lower blind zone, a bumper with an ultrasonic sensor is provided. The manufacturer did not offer a solution to the problem regarding the upper range, which the main sensor does not see.
A robot vacuum cleaner is a rather miniature device. Since it also weighs less than 4 kg, it is convenient to transport it, for example, to the cottage
The axles of the driving wheels are on the same radius – 175 mm. This feature allows the robot to deploy on the spot and is a prerequisite for excellent maneuverability.
Driving wheels have a small diameter – only 70 mm. But the hinge stroke is almost 30 mm. The device is capable of overcoming obstacles with a small height or depth.
The tread of the wheels is made of rubber-like material that does not slip on the surface.
The task of the front side brush during cleaning is to slip the debris to the central one. Its base is flexible and resilient wires that have solid lugs.
The central brush is the main element that is responsible for garbage collection. The latter, together with air, enters a special tank. Gases are vented through an opening on the back of the device.
The brush speed is easily adjustable. The robot gently cleans soft carpets and mercilessly removes dirt from tougher surfaces
The robot vacuum cleaner kit also contains a comb tool and a blade. These items are designed to clean brushes.
The central brush placement compartment has a 9 mm free play. This allows you to repeat surface irregularities and provide the most effective cleaning.
Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not provide a sensor signaling that the dust tank is full. Since the capacity is small, you will often have to check it. The dust collector has a cover that needs to be removed and the contents shaken out.
A crossed-out drop is shown on the dust collector body – this means that the dust tank must not be washed. But wipe with a damp cloth still does not hurt
The manufacturer used a fan with a brushless motor made by the Japanese manufacturer Nidec . The maximum power of the element is 0.67 m 3 / min. The highest discharge rate is 1800 Pa.
The fan is powered by a powerful battery, which is located below. It is necessary to unscrew 6 screws to get to it. Having removed the bottom of the vacuum cleaner, you can quite easily replace the brushes and wheels.
A vacuum cleaner, like any other equipment, must not be used in a humid room. Dust with water may cause it to malfunction or require long-term cleaning.
The robot has three cleaning modes: quiet, standard and intensive. They are selected in a special management application. Conveniently adjust the features of the device to the level of pollution in the room
The unit does not need to be turned on and set up daily for cleaning. The system allows you to set a work schedule. It is necessary to note the days of the week and the time of cleaning.
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The manufacturer recommends starting the launch from the base, then two cases are possible:
- firstly , a vacuum cleaner can clean the room completely;
- secondly , if the battery charge level drops to 20%, the device returns to base, is powered up and continues cleaning from the place where it was completed.
Planning for cleaning in space provides a magnetic strip. It can be laid directly on the floor or hidden under a thin coating.
Unfortunately, the manufacturer did not include this addition in the vacuum cleaner kit. Those who want to use it should buy on their own.
The approach to orientation in space in a vacuum cleaner is similar to the technology used in unmanned vehicles. This once again emphasizes the originality of the model.
The device signals visually about its condition using an LED indicator. The system also tries to inform the user using words recorded in Chinese. However, voice messaging is easy to turn off.
Management is carried out using an application from the company and a mobile device based on iOS or Android. Unfortunately, there is no official Russian-language version, but you can use the unofficial one. In the second case, you also need to download a special add-on.
One of the few disadvantages of the device – it is difficult for him to clean the corners of the room. This is due to the round shape of the vacuum cleaner. He just physically cannot call into the corner of the room
Immediately after installing the application, you need to establish control of the robot. The latter should be located in the network coverage area and be connected to the Internet. Management is carried out not directly from the application, but through the intermediary – a remote server.
You can give a command to a vacuum cleaner from any piece of land with Internet access. However, if you have been disabled access to the Web for several days or have problems with the service, it will be impossible to make new settings.
The main section of the application contains information about the state of the robot, cleaned area, map and battery charge. In the lower part are placed the return key to the base, the fan power settings and the start of cleaning the room.
One of the most useful features of the application is working with a room map. The cleaning sequence is the vacuum cleaner system. But the user can correct the trajectory and increase the efficiency of the device
Advantages
- Dry cleaning
- Dust container 0.42 L
- Fine filter included
- Smartphone Control
- Excellent value for money
- Duration of work on one charge
- Building a room map
- The ability to control from a smartphone
- Effective floor cleaning
- Weekly timer and programming
Disadvantages
- The application menu is not Russified
- Small dust bag
- No floor cleaning option
Consumer reviews about the model
Users are actively discussing the possibilities and features of using a robot vacuum cleaner. At the same time, both strengths and weaknesses are considered.
In particular, the benefits include:
- significant cleaning efficiency;
- automatic continuation of room cleaning after recharging;
- setting the desired fan power;
- advanced approach to determining the location of the robot and the route of work;
- significant cleaning area without recharging;
- work in accordance with the established schedule;
- use of magnetic tape to limit harvesting area;
- convenient control based on a mobile application.
A robotic vacuum cleaner has many strengths. However, it is far from ideal. But the negative aspects in his work are much less than positive.
Vacuum cleaner software sometimes crashes. This negatively affects the duration and effectiveness of cleaning. Also, regular problems in the operation of the mobile application and cloud service testify to the device’s disadvantage
As the reviews about the Xiaomi vacuum cleaner robot testify, the disadvantages of the device are: the lack of an official version in Russian, minimal equipment, regular cases of loss of connection with the cloud service and the minimum size of the dust tank. The disadvantages of the device still fade over its advantages.
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Conclusions
The Xiaomi brand robot vacuum cleaner is distinguished by a good spatial orientation system – it detects obstacles at a considerable distance using a special laser sensor. The device has a powerful battery, the ability to change the fan power and control using a mobile application.
Have experience using the Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Cleaner or a competitor model? Please share with your readers your impressions of the operation of robotic technology. Leave feedback, comments and ask questions – the contact form is below.
