Robot vacuums aren’t cheap. These rolling robotic servants pack expensive hardware and software into a consumer product that’s easily priced hundreds of dollars. Neato, a big player in the robot vacuum market, is known for its low-cost line of such robots, and with the release of their latest Botvac D3 and D5 Connected, it just got cheaper to let the robots do the cleaning.
Similar to the company’s previous but pricey Botvac Connected, the new Botvac D3 and D5 share the same design and technology. Each model has its own perks (whether it be less tech for less cost) based on their respective price tags.
For starters, the $399 D3 features the “D” shape design, motorized brushroll, laser sensor, and Wi-Fi connectivity. The additional side brush has been scrapped from the D3 to save a few bucks, but that’s no problem, the robot still packs a top-facing laser sensor. With the laser sensor, Neato can map out a room and its contents in real time. There’s Wi-Fi connectivity for consumers to monitor and schedule D3’s cleaning via Neato’s smartphone app.
For consumers with a bit more spare change, the $599 D5 packs all the same features as the D3 and then some. The robot can clean up to 4500 square feet on a single charge thanks to its high-performance battery (the D3 only covers 1,800 square feet). With the Neato smartphone app, users can view cleaning stats and activate spot clean mode. These features are available to the D5 but not the D3.
As for cleaning goes, both the D3 and D5 will map out rooms using a laser sensor and clean using a motorized brushroll. Although, the D3 doesn’t sport a side brush like the D5.
Neato will be presenting its new robot vacuums at IFA this week, but as for consumers, the robots launch in October.
Source: Neato Image: Neato (modified)
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