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iRobot's Wi-Fi-Connected Robot Vacuums Getting Clean Zones, Event Automations

The company's new Genius platform includes Clean Zones, event-based automations, recommended cleaning schedules, recommended Keep Out Zones, and seasonal recommendations.

Angela Moscaritolo
 & Angela Moscaritolo Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

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Roomba recommendations (Image: iRobot)

iRobot is bringing more features to its Wi-Fi-connected floor-cleaning robots. 

The company on Tuesday launched a new platform, dubbed Genius, which will power its iRobot Home app and give users more control over their robots. This platform includes new features such as precision Clean Zones, event-based automations, recommended cleaning schedules, recommended Keep Out Zones, and seasonal recommendations. 

The company's Roomba i7, i7+, s9, s9+ robot vacuums and Braava jet m6 robot mop will now be able to use machine learning to automatically detect and suggest Clean Zones around frequently soiled areas, like under the dining room table or in front of the couch. That way, you can easily send the robot there with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant voice commands like "Roomba, clean around the couch." 

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Image of robot cleaning under table (Image: iRobot)

Robots with home-mapping capabilities (the i series, s series, and m series) will also offer recommended Keep Out Zones. After getting stuck in the same spot three times, the robot will ask if you want it to avoid cleaning in that spot in the future. They will also recommend room-specific cleaning schedules, like cleaning the dining room and kitchen after meals, based on your cleaning patterns. 

Meanwhile, all of iRobot's Wi-Fi-connected robots will offer more basic recommended cleaning schedules, like vacuuming on Monday mornings. The entire portfolio of Wi-Fi-connected robots will also now support IFTTT event-based automations and offer seasonal recommendations. With IFTTT support, you'll be able to program your robot to clean when the smart lock on your door closes or when your connected garage door opens, for instance. Meanwhile, the seasonal recommendations will offer suggestions to automatically clean more frequently during certain times of the year, based on where you live. It may, for instance, ask if you want it to clean every day during pet-shedding and allergy seasons. 

These new Genius features will be available in the iRobot Home app through a software update that begins rolling out today. 

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About Our Expert

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

My Experience

I'm PCMag's managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health tech, and various other product categories. I have been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time have written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart home and wearable devices, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer tech news. I'm also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade. 

Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The Technology I Use

My little Florida beach bungalow is brimming with smart home tech. I have a smart speaker or display in every room, allowing me to control other connected devices by voice. The Nest Hub on my bedside table lets me set wake-up alarms, control my smart light bulbs, and set the temperature on my smart thermostat. I use the Amazon Echo Show 8 on my kitchen counter to browse recipes, reorder protein powder, check the weather, and watch the news while I do dishes. 

Because I suffer from allergies, air purifiers are essential. My favorite model is the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, which doubles as a fan and continuously sends indoor pollution data to its companion mobile app. 

My pitbull Bradley sheds, so a good robot vacuum is a must. I currently use a premium Ecovacs Deebot that can both vacuum and mop, empty its own dustbin, and wash its own mop cloth. 

For fitness, I like to mix up my routine with cycling, indoor rowing, running, and strength training in addition to yoga. I take classes on the Tonal 2 smart strength training machine, I row indoors on an Aviron machine, and track my beach runs with an Apple Watch while listening to music on my Apple AirPods Pro. On the weekends, I love riding e-bikes like the rugged, beach-friendly Aventon Aventure for fun and fitness.

My job involves a lot of virtual meetings, so a quality webcam, microphone, and ring light are important. I use the Jabra PanaCast 20 webcam, the Elgato Wave: 3 microphone, and a Yesker tripod ring light. 

As for my preferred phone platform, I'm an iPhone person, but I've also extensively used Android for product testing.

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