Using mapping software, Roombas can clean up the floors of your home without you having to lift a finger.

Roombas aren’t always trustworthy because not all models use the same mapping software. Roomba robot vacuums are a great way to avoid sweeping by hand, but how can they be sure to do a really good job?

All Roombas with a model number of 960 or higher have mapping built into their software, allowing them to learn the layout of your home and clean more effectively on future visits. Not all models that can map do so equally well, and the latest and greatest will have the best mapping capabilities.

It’s important to choose the most suitable Roomba model to ensure a thorough cleaning of your home.

This article goes into detail about the features and models of Roombas that can map.

What Types of Mapping Are Available?

Older Roomba machines lacked this mapping functionality. Instead, sensors and brushes would be used to locate potential roadblocks.

However, not all of the newest Roomba models are created equal, and even though they all have mapping capabilities, they still have their differences.

You can choose between a “no-store” map and a “stored” map on your Roomba.

The saved map data can recall floor plans for up to ten unique rooms.

As a result, you can take your Roomba from floor to floor and room to room without worrying that it won’t get the job done properly.

The newest mapping technology is included in the following Roomba models:

i7

i7+

s9

S9+

These devices have a built-in mapping system that lets them figure out where they are in a house and then find their way around to clean based on how the rooms are set up.

Cleaning using a Roomba that doesn’t use your history is far more basic.

Roombas produce a brand-new map of the floor’s arrangement after each cleaning cycle, allowing them to thoroughly clean every inch. Since it is unable to record this information, it will forget this room—and every other one—after it has finished cleaning it.

How Does Roomba Mapping Technology Work?

Instead of relying on collisions to avoid things in their way, modern Roombas use sensors and lasers.

Thanks to improved mapping and navigation, Roombas can now clean floors as thoroughly as humans.

The Roomba mapping system uses optical, visual, and laser guidance. The robot may then use this information to figure out where it is in your home and draw a map.

Roombas use a variety of sensors, such as a camera and a lens, to see where they are going.

With this lens and the collision detectors, it can move freely across the space where it cleans.

With sensor navigation (visual simultaneous location and mapping), VSLAM is the navigation algorithm used.

This method relies on the Roomba’s ability to see landmarks, like the ceiling or the space between walls, to establish its precise location.

This provides Roomba with an improved routine for cleaning floors, so it won’t waste time re-visiting previously cleaned areas. Despite the fact that these sensors aren’t very sensitive, you should leave some lights on.

The most modern form of machine navigation uses lasers.

Lidar, which relies on reflected light to determine location, is used. It is also used by autonomous vehicles to go about town.

The light source for these machines is placed at the very top of the structure so that it can better see its path and the shapes of the things it runs into.

Can I See the Map My Roomba Creates?

A Roomba can make up to 10 separate floor plans of your home if you get the right model. This information will be stored in the cloud and retrieved before cleaning the same floor again.

Using your iRobot account, you may view the precise map your Roomba makes. You may access all of your customized cleaning maps from this location.

The cleaning schedule can be adjusted on the fly.

You can download the Roomba app to your mobile device and use it to look at and change your floor plans.

You may program the Roomba to clean your floors according to a custom map you make, and it will do so on its next cleaning cycle.

To get ready for the Roomba to come, you will build the whole area out of walls and other things.

Does a Low-Battery Roomba Know Where to Resume Cleaning?

Although your Roomba may include a mapping capability, you’ll still need to charge it up before you put it to work.

Low power Roombas have to stop their cleaning cycle to go back to their charging dock.

Failing batteries When Roomba has finished charging, it will pick up where it left off in its cleaning cycle.

As a result, you won’t have to wait until the next cleaning cycle to finish scrubbing the floor.

The i7 and i7+ versions of the iRobot Roomba 9 can recharge and start up again.

This function will activate automatically without any additional action on your part. If the Roomba’s battery is low, you can simply let it return to its charging dock; when it’s charged, it will resume its cleaning where it left off.

You shouldn’t worry about this interfering with regularly planned cleanings.

Do I Need WiFi to Use Roomba Mapping?

The Roomba is one of the best cleaning devices because it uses cutting-edge technology, like being able to connect to your home’s WiFi network.

But does the Roomba have to be connected to WiFi in order for the mapping function to work?

Roomba mapping requires WiFi on the following models:

i7

i7+

s9

S9+

The most up-to-date mapping technology featured in these models calls for the upload of detailed floor plans to the machine’s online storage. This can only occur if the gadget is linked to your network.

If your Roomba isn’t linked to your WiFi network, you won’t be able to do things like set a cleaning schedule or customize your cleaning preferences.

An older model may be preferable if you don’t intend to use WiFi with your device at any point in the future. These features can be used offline, so they’re also cheaper.

Do I Have to Reprogram a New Roomba?

When you get a new Roomba, you’ll need to re-map your house so it can find its way around. There is no way to get maps from an older Roomba into a newer one at the moment.

Roombas of a certain age have to make new maps every time they run, and even the newest models can’t share their maps.

Roomba and Bravaa use the same app, so you can share your mapping data across the two robot vacuums.

Not All Roombas Have Mapping

Cleaning your home without first learning its layout is a limitation of older Roomba devices. To have any hope of mapping the cleaning area, you’ll need to upgrade to a Roomba 960 or later.

Without the ability to store information, some Roombas that use mapping technology will have to remap the floor of your home before each cleaning cycle. The newest models let you divide your map data into as many as ten separate spaces.