Evolution Robotics, Inc., introduced an automatic hard surface floor cleaning appliance called the ‘Mint’ at CES 2010. The robot uses regular Swiffer pads, both the wet and dry types, to dust and wet mop hard surface floors. There is no vacuum in this floor bot and uses “NorthStar’ positioning technology.
The GPS-like positioning technology allows the Mint robot to know where it is relative to its base station. This means that it can precisely calculate where it has been and where it is going without wasting time meandering randomly. The Mint is expected to be available in the 4th quarter of 2010.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Floor-swiffering Robots
- Opportunity for the development of advanced floor cleaning robots that use Swiffer pads to effectively clean hard surface floors.
- Automatic Hard Surface Floor Cleaning
- Disruptive innovation opportunity to create automated appliances that can dust and wet mop hard surface floors without the need for a vacuum.
- Gps-like Positioning Technology
- Potential for the integration of GPS-like positioning technology in cleaning robots to optimize navigation and improve efficiency.
Where This Applies
- Robotics
- Opportunity for robotics companies to develop and market advanced floor cleaning robots with innovative features.
- Household Appliances
- Potential for the household appliance industry to expand their product offerings to include automated floor cleaning appliances.
- Cleaning Services
- Disruptive innovation opportunity for cleaning service providers to incorporate automated floor cleaning robots into their service offerings.
