iRobot’s new Roomba j7+ robot vacuum with AI, object avoidance, and storage

Companies like ECOVACS and Trifo are among the few to set out and develop robot vacuums with artificial intelligence capable of avoiding things it might run into that shouldn’t be there. From trying to avoid clog-hazards like socks, cables, or ties to not running over special presents left on the floor by animals in the home. It’s a great benefit to have in a robot vacuum. Now, iRobot joins the list with its new Roomba j7+ robot vacuum, promising to do the same.

The new vacuum from iRobot uses “PrecisionVision Navigation” to spot hazards and avoid them in real-time as it cleans. It depends on a database of examples that the companies have been slowly building and using to enhance these capabilities in the product before releasing it into the world.

This new AI is also used to identify certain areas of the home by the objects in each room, to help you specific areas you’d like cleaned, as well as suggest cleaning schedules based on mess patterns (or when they leave the home).

It also comes with a collection bin (“Clean Base”) that can store up to 60 days’ worth of dirt, allowing you to focus less on having to clean it out and more on, well, anything else.

These bots just keep getting smarts and will continue to learn as time goes by. The company promises to provide further updates to the software and app that can improve on or add new features in the future.

It isn’t cheap though. The MSRP is $849, which is no surprise. Many of the competing options with built-in cameras and AI typically fall into the higher range. Then considering the dust collection bin (base) that increases the price as well. There is also a j7 (no “+”) that only includes the robot and not the dust collection bin that runs a bit less at $649. However, the luxury of not having to clean out the bot after every clean or so is quite the option to have.

Inventory will start shipping out to stores around the last week of this month.