Miele hops on the robo-vacuum bandwagon with the RX1 Scout

By Drew Prindle June 24, 2014

miele hops robo vacuum bandwagon rx1 scout — Image used with permission by copyright holder

It used to be that Roomba was the only robotic vacuum outfit in town, but in the past few years, a handful of other companies have joined the fray and released bots of their own. We’ve seen bots from dedicated robovac makers like Moneual and Neato, as well as few from huge electronics conglomerates like LG and Samsung. But the latest entry into the category comes from someone we didn’t expect: German high-end appliance manufacturer Miele.

Earlier this week at the Dwell on Design show in LA, the company showcased it’s first robotic vacuum, dubbed the RX1 Scout. Exact details on specs and features are still soemwhat hard to come by at this point, but Miele did spill the beans on a few details at the show. Unlike the seemingly random and chaotic method that Roomba uses to cover your floor, the Scout uses a top-mounted camera and special mapping software to ensure it doesn’t miss a spot. It’s also equipped with a gyro sensor to keep the bot on track, and a slew of anti-collision sensors to keep it from bumping into furniture and falling down stairs.

Thanks to it’s advanced navigation system, the Scout can clean in a number of different modes – much like Moneual’s Rydis H68 Pro. In addition to the quick-access Auto mode, the bot also has dedicated modes for Spot and Corner cleaning, as well as a Turbo mode that cuts cleaning time in half.

But all those features won’t come cheap. The Scout retails for $999 right now, which is considerably more expensive than even iRobot’s top-of-the-line Roomba ($300 more to be exact) and nearly triple the cost of some budget models. We haven’t had a chance to try it out for ourselves just yet, but based on the features Miele has disclosed, we’re thinking it might be difficult to justify the high price tag — especially since bots from other manufacturers do all the same tricks for a fraction of the price.

The Scout is already on sale at authorized Miele retailers, and will be coming to Amazon in the near future.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Appliances

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Drew Prindle is an award-winning writer, editor, and storyteller who currently serves as Senior Features Editor for Digital…

Smart Home

Get eufy’s new flagship robot vacuum, Omni S1 Pro, at a discount before launch

eufy Omni S1 Pro robot vacuum and mop combo docking station

Deals come and go, but you rarely get the chance to save big before a new product launches. But that's precisely the case with eufy's brand-new flagship robot vacuum and mop combo, the Omni S1 Pro. Representing the pinnacle of the brand's design and technology, this innovative vacuum introduces a host of new and advanced features. From the built-in Eco-Clean Ozone generator to the TurboWash Roller Mop and the all-in-one station with triple self-cleaning support, the Omni S1 Pro is ready to transform your cleaning experiences for the better. Available on Kickstarter starting March 28 at 10AM (EST) -- that's today -- you can take advantage of some incredible early-bird discounts that allow you to save big before the system even launches.

Here are some of the early-bird discounts available:

Smart Home

Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra vs. Roborock S8 Pro Ultra: Which is the best robot vacuum?

The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra placed in its dock.

The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra and Roborock S8 Pro Ultra share a lot of similarities -- the least of which is their brand name. Along with the capacity to vacuum and mop in a single cleaning cycle, the two robots can automatically empty their dustbins and clean their dirty mops once the cycle is complete. That alone makes them two of the best robot vacuums on the market.

But while there are plenty of similarities between the S8 MaxV Ultra and S8 Pro Ultra, there are a few key differences that could make one better for your home than the other. From pricing and vacuuming power to navigational skills and more, here's a comprehensive look at the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra and Roborock S8 Pro Ultra.
Pricing and availability

Smart Home

Get this popular robot vacuum for $200 in Amazon’s Big Spring Sale

Anker Eufy 25C Robot Vacuum placed on a carpet while lit up.

One of the best robot vacuum deals at the moment comes via Amazon’s Big Spring sale with $80 off the eufy L60 Robot Vacuum. Usually priced at $280, it’s down to $200 with the 29% saving sure to tempt anyone looking for a new robot vacuum to streamline their cleaning practices. Keen to know more? Let’s take a look at what you need to know.

Why you should buy the eufy L60 Robot Vacuum
Eufy makes some of the best robot vacuums around so it’s worth paying attention to the eufy L60 Robot Vacuum. The robot vacuum offers a powerful suction of 5,000 Pa so it can handle hair, crumbs, dust, and more, all in one pass so it can get things done far more efficiently than you would expect. It has Precision Mapping with iPath laser navigation so its LiDAR technology can create accurate maps of your home, deducing cleaning routes that are efficient and effective.