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

iRobot officially unveils its upgraded flagship robot vacuum, the Roomba 960

Rick Stella
By

irobot announces new roomba and smartphone app r960 underbed
iRobot
Massachusetts-based iRobot announced this week that it’s expanding its already-impressive lineup of Roomba robotic vacuum cleaners. While officially unveiling the Roomba 960 vacuum, the robotics innovator also pulled back the veil on a brand new smartphone application compatible with its Braava jet Mopping Robot. With marked improvements in the Roomba’s efficiency, navigation, and connectivity, iRobot has yet again shown that it is at the top of the robotic solutions industry.

While simply saying it has upgraded the existing Roomba platform is enough to sway its existing user base into adopting the 960, a published press release shed more light on the included features. The Roomba 960 boasts an enhanced intelligent navigation system, wireless connectivity HOME App control, and 5 times more air power than any previous Roomba vacuum. Furthermore, the 960 comes standard with the same premium features found in the 800 and 900 series, such as Dirt Detect focused cleaning, Recharge and Resume, and tangle-free debris extractors. In other words, the 960 is the smartest and most effective Roomba vacuum to date.

R960_DogFort
iRobot
iRobot
Recommended Videos

“As iRobot continues its push to address significant opportunities within the connected home, we are very excited to bring Roomba 960 and Braava jet app compatibility to market,” said Colin Angle, chairman and CEO of iRobot. “This is a significant milestone as we are now able to offer a more accessible Roomba with mapping capabilities and cloud-connected features across multiple product lines. iRobot will continue to build upon its connected robot technologies moving forward, allowing for an enhanced customer experience and for our products to play a larger role within the smart home.”

Related

Concerning the new HOME App for its Braava jet-mopping bot, iRobot now give users unprecedented control over a range of home cleaning options directly on a smartphone. Featuring Bluetooth connectivity, owners can start and stop their Braava jet, customize its cleaning settings, and install over-the-air updates right from the app. Furthermore, not only is the application available for download immediately but it’s available for both iOS and Android users with Bluetooth-enabled devices.

Those interested in securing a Roomba 960 won’t have to wait long as iRobot has made the device available for purchase upon its announcement, and is selling the vacuum for $699 via its website.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Rick Stella
Rick Stella
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Rick became enamored with technology the moment his parents got him an original NES for Christmas in 1991. And as they say…
iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ robot vacuum and mop is perfect for high-pile carpet
The iRobot j9+ cleaning a floor and retracting its mop.

Robot vacuum maker iRobot recently pulled back the curtain on the Combo j5+ lineup, and today its catalog is growing yet again with the reveal of the iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ Robot Vacuum and Mop. If you don’t need a mop, a standard j9+ robot vacuum is also up for grabs -- featuring the same tech powering the Roomba Combo j9+, but dropping its mopping skills and gaining a reduced price tag.

Unlike most robot vacuum and mop combos, the iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ uses a swinging mophead capable of retracting to the top of its chassis. Other products simply raise the mophead up a few millimeters, which is only enough clearance for low-pile carpets. This makes the Combo j9+ compelling for homes with both hardwood floors and high-pile carpets, allowing it to clean all surfaces without dragging a dirty mop across your “clean” carpets.

Read more
iRobot expands Roomba 2-in-1 lineup with Combo j5+ and Combo i5+
The Roomba Combo i5+ next to its different bins.

The Roomba Combo j7+ is getting two new family members, as iRobot is expanding its lineup of robot vacuum and mops with the Combo j5+ and Combo i5+. Both devices are now up for preorder, with an expected launch date of September 3.

Unlike the expensive Combo j7+, the Combo j5+ and Combo i5+ are lower-priced options that offer many of the same features. The j5+ is a particular standout, allowing you to swap between vacuuming and mopping to just vacuuming by switching out its bin. Its charging dock can hold up to 60 days of debris before it needs to be manually emptied, and the robot itself boasts AI that can identify cords, shoes, and other hazards scattered throughout your home.

Read more
Your Roomba robot vacuum now doubles as a security guard
iRobot Roomba j7 plus 7550 robot vacuum in charging dock by entryway.

The Roomba j7 and j7+ are two of the best robot vacuums on the market, and if you opt into a fairly new beta, they only become more enticing. When signing up for the Remote Check-In beta, you’ll get to use your robot vacuum as a makeshift security camera -- allowing you to “check in” on your home while you're away.

The company opened the feature to select owners in November, but the company is just now rolling it out to a larger audience. In fact, if you have a Roomba j7 or j7+ at home, there’s a good chance you received a notification from your companion smartphone app telling you about the service. There are still some serious limitations to the beta (it only works with iOS devices and is supported by just a handful of products in the j7 lineup), but if you get the notification, there’s no harm in checking out the cool new feature.

Read more