Robot Vacuum Decoded20 terms
The spec sheet, translated into household consequences.
Definitions explain what a term means—and what it still does not prove about performance in your home.
- Auto-empty
- The dock transfers dry debris from the robot bin into a bag or larger container. It does not imply mop washing.
- Carpet boost
- A software behavior that increases cleaning power when carpet is detected; detection and actual pickup still need evaluation.
- Cliff sensor
- A downward sensor intended to detect drops. Some surfaces or lighting conditions can affect behavior.
- Clean-water tank
- The dock reservoir used to refill or wash a mopping system. It is separate from dirty-water storage.
- Dirt detection
- A sensor or software routine that may trigger extra cleaning in a detected dirty area. Methods vary by model.
- Dock envelope
- The full operating space around a dock: footprint, lid/tank clearance, side clearance, and approach lane.
- Do-not-disturb
- A schedule that suppresses selected noises or dock actions during chosen hours. Exact behavior varies.
- LiDAR
- Light detection and ranging: a laser-based method used to estimate room geometry and location.
- Map split / merge
- App tools that correct room boundaries by dividing or combining mapped areas.
- Mop lift
- A mechanism that raises mop material. Published lift height should be compared with actual rug pile and transitions.
- No-go zone
- A map boundary the robot should not enter. It is a software control, not a physical barrier.
- No-mop zone
- A map boundary that blocks wet cleaning or mop-equipped entry while potentially allowing vacuum-only cleaning.
- Obstacle avoidance
- Near-field sensing and software intended to route around objects. It is distinct from room-scale navigation.
- Pa (pascal)
- A pressure unit often used in suction marketing. Cross-brand figures are not a complete or necessarily comparable pickup score.
- Reactive navigation
- Movement based mainly on local sensors and rules rather than a persistent, user-editable map.
- Resume after charge
- The ability to return to the dock, recharge, and continue an unfinished cleaning task.
- Self-wash
- A dock function that washes mop material. It does not mean the tray, tanks, or robot never need manual cleaning.
- Structured light
- A depth-sensing method that projects a pattern and reads its deformation to estimate nearby shapes.
- Threshold claim
- A manufacturer-stated transition height; real crossing also depends on shape, angle, traction, and mop hardware.
- Virtual wall
- A software map boundary or physical beacon used to restrict travel.
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Turn definitions into decision rows.
Use the comparison worksheet to record an exact-model claim, source, checked date, and unknowns.
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