Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Smart Home
  3. News

This new robot might be the best way to keep your pool clean

Add as a preferred source on Google
Beatbot iSkim Ultra in a pool.
Beatbot

Beatbot is no stranger to swimming pools, as the company already has several aquatic robots in its catalog. But the upcoming Beatbot iSkim Ultra might be its most exciting, as it brings heaps of cool innovations to the table that should keep your pool in pristine condition all summer long.

As its name suggests, the Beatbot iSkim Ultra is a robotic pool skimmer that removes leaves, cottonwood seeds, flowers, grass, pollen, and other debris from the water’s surface. BeatBot says it can filter debris as small as 380 micrometers — so almost nothing can escape its grasp.

Recommended Videos

Along with skimming, the iSkim Ultra uses Beatbot’s ClearWater Clarification System to enhance the overall quality of your pool. This is done by dispensing an eco-friendly clarifier as it motors through the water, helping to remove dirt, oils, and other residues that lead to the buildup of scum. All told, its 300mL reservoir can clean up to 99,000 gallons.

Beatbot iSkim Ultra in a pool.
Beatbot

Other notable features of the robot include a gigantic 265mm roller brush to handle debris, dual side brushes that pull water toward its main roller, and a 9-liter filter that ensures no debris leaks back into the pool. The robot is equipped with seven motors, 20 sensors, and obstacle-navigating skills that help it better cover every inch of the water’s surface.

The coolest feature of the iSkim Ultra might be its 24W solar panel, which is paired with a 10,000mAh battery so you can run the robot day or night. The kit even comes with a wireless charger — so if sunlight isn’t enough for your pool, you can get it fully charged in just five hours. Beatbot says you’ll get nonstop runtime with sunlight or around 24 hours without sunlight.

Beatbot designed the iSkim Ultra to run automatically, though you can take remote control of the device via the mobile app. So if the robot has trouble getting a particularly evasive piece of debris, you can take manual control to scoop it up.

The Beatbot iSkim Ultra costs $1,499 and is now available for preorder. A select number of units are available for the early-bird special price of $999, though inventory is quickly running out. An official release date is yet to be announced.

Jon Bitner
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Jon Bitner is a writer covering consumer electronics, technology, and gaming. His work has been published on various websites…
Apple might be turning its HomeView into a security camera, and it makes perfect sense
HomeView's built-in camera might soon have a few more uses beyond FaceTime calls.
Apple HomeView feature

Apple’s recently unveiled HomeView smart display could also function as a home security camera, according to a new finding in its software. The device, which already has a built-in camera for FaceTime calls and facial recognition, could supposedly use the same hardware for motion detection, live streaming, and video recording through HomeKit Secure Video.

The feature was spotted by a Reddit user in the settings files of HomeView Software 27.2 (via TheVerge). Apple hasn’t officially announced anything about it yet, but the references suggest there are going to be a few more uses for the built-in camera.

Read more
What Mattress Firmness Is Right for Back Pain?
Why the right balance of cushioning and support matters for better sleep
Sleeping

This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Sleep Number.

Waking up with a stiff back is a miserable way to start the day. The usual advice is to buy the firmest mattress you can find. It sounds reasonable, but your spine, shoulders, and hips don’t work that way. The needs differ for each person, but there are a few ways you can get that healthy sleep with the right mattress.

Read more
How to Choose the Right Mattress for You
sleeping

This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Sleep Number.

Shopping for a new mattress sounds simple until you start looking. Memory foam or hybrid? Soft or firm? Cooling covers, pressure-relief zones, motion isolation, sleep tracking — suddenly, you're comparing features that barely existed the last time you bought a bed. Even the most expensive option could be a poor match.

Read more