Samsung is launching a new robot vacuum that you can control with your voice called the POWERbot VR7000. Details are still pretty scarce at the moment and there’s no word yet on pricing or availability. Samsung has announced plans to show the device off next week at the Consumer Electronics Show.
The POWERbot VR7000 can cover areas that many hand-operated vacuum cleaners miss. The new vacuum is less than 4 inches tall, allowing it to easily pass under most beds and other furniture. It can also work around small items less than 0.4 of an inch in diameter, and clean within a half inch of walls. Getting close cleans up against walls is an issue with a number of other similar devices.
According to Samsung, the POWERbot VR7000 uses Visionary Mapping Plus and FullView Sensor 2.0 to map and remember your room. The new vacuum also features a self-cleaning brush system, reducing the amount of maintenance needed to keep its performance optimal. It collects debris in the center of the brush, facilitating easier transfer into the dustbin. An Auto Shutter feature automatically drops down a barrier to help the unit sweep up more dust along the edges.
You can control the POWERbot VR7000 using voice commands through an Amazon Echo. Amazon Echo voice compatibility also looks set to come with the rest of Amazon’s WiFi connected Powerbots. You can purchase an Amazon Echo for $179.99 at Amazon.com. Neato debuted Amazon Echo voice compatibility for its robotic vacuum late last month using commands like “Alexa, ask Neato to start cleaning” and “Alexa, ask Neato to pause cleaning.”
You can also remotely control the POWERbot VR7000 via an app. From a smartphone or other mobile device, you can start and stop the machine, schedule cleaning times, and check cleaning history. The company is encouraging anyone wanting more information about the VR7000 to visit the company’s CES booth #15006, on Level 1 of the Central Hall in the Las Vegas Convention Center, from January 5th through January 8th 2017.
