The Neato Robotics robot vacuum lineup gets a refresh and a technology addition-- the renamed BotVac features "BotVision" laser mapping technology in order to scan rooms and plan out optimal cleaning routes.
The technology is based on SLAM (Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping), the same system found in the Google driverless cars.
The D-shaped BotVac features a larger brush (by 50% compared to the competition, Neato claims) allowing it to clean within 10mm of walls, with a side brush to pick up even more dust.
Like Roomba robot vacuums BotVacs trundle back to a charging station once the battery is nearly depleted-- but can resume cleaning duties once charging is done according to preset chedule. The same cannot be said on the larger 0.6-litre filth container, which needs emptying by human overlord once full.
The BotVac line consists of 4 models (70e, 75, 80 and 85) and should be available in European markets from April 2014.
Go Neato BotVac