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Samsung looks to clean up with Powerbot VR9000 robot vacuum cleaner

Samsung looks to clean up with Powerbot VR9000 robot vacuum cleaner
Samsung's new Powerbot VR9000
Samsung's new Powerbot VR9000
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Samsung's new Powerbot VR9000
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Samsung's new Powerbot VR9000
Samsung claims that the Powerbot VR9000 sweeps up dust "just like a broom"
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Samsung claims that the Powerbot VR9000 sweeps up dust "just like a broom"
The Powerbot VR9000's wheels measure 10.5 cm (4.1 in) in diameter and the body has a 1.5 cm (0.59 in) clearance (Photo: Samsung)
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The Powerbot VR9000's wheels measure 10.5 cm (4.1 in) in diameter and the body has a 1.5 cm (0.59 in) clearance (Photo: Samsung)
At this point, the Powerbot VR9000 is being aimed at European consumers, and there's no word of wider availability (Photo: Samsung)
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At this point, the Powerbot VR9000 is being aimed at European consumers, and there's no word of wider availability (Photo: Samsung)
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Those looking for a worthy alternative to the mighty Roomba may be in luck. Samsung has unveiled a new robot vacuum cleaner today at IFA 2014 called the Powerbot VR9000. The company says it can deftly avoid obstacles, and offers up to 60 times better suction than conventional cleaners.

The South Korean electronics giant says the Powerbot VR9000 sweeps up dust "just like a broom" and that its Digital Inverter Technology offers up to 60 times better suction than conventional cleaners.

The robo-vac also sports an enlarged brush and Samsung's CycloneForce technology, the latter of which is said to reduce the risk of clogged filters, thus keeping the robot vacuum cleaner sucking up your dead skin and dropped crumbs at full power.

Samsung claims that the Powerbot VR9000 sweeps up dust "just like a broom"
Samsung claims that the Powerbot VR9000 sweeps up dust "just like a broom"

Naturally, the whole point of a robot vacuum cleaner is negated if you've got to keep getting up to help it out of corners or around chairs, but Samsung reckons it's got this covered as its FullView Sensor scans for blind spots and tells the vacuum to avoid obstacles like chair legs. Its wheels measure 10.5 cm (4.1 in) in diameter and the body's 1.5 cm (0.59 in) clearance should get it over minor hurdles like wires or door frames.

There's also a remote function that enables users to "beam down" (shine a light) on a certain area. The Powerbot VR9000 will then duly follow the light beam and clean the area of floor that's being pointed at.

At this point, the Powerbot VR9000 is being aimed at European consumers, and there's no word of wider availability. Pricing has yet to be announced.

Source: Samsung

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3 comments
3 comments
Bob Flint
How is it that most of these things are rounded, & none of them will get into the deepest corner.
Derek Howe
@ Bob Flint - That's why I bought the Neato XV-21...its shape is the most logical, and it works pretty darn good. If I had the money, I'd upgrade to their newest model, called botvac. But the one I bought was already pretty pricey at $400.
EddieG
In "Door Into Summer," Robert Heinlein predicted the robot vacuum would be a smash success in 1970. Today, ours still can't perform the simple functions his did. Maybe some marketing people need to read the book.