Robotic Floor Cleaner Fills Tedious Vacuum
The Age
Monday November 19, 2001
A Victorian robotics company aims to liberate thousands from the tedium of vacuuming with the release of a self-navigating robot vacuum cleaner.
Melbourne-based FloorBotics has developed a robotic floor cleaner that operates automatically to remove dirt, dust and grime from carpets and other floor surfaces.
Murray McDonald who, with Duncan Ashworth, started privately owned company FloorBotics two years ago, said the machine was the first of its kind.
``There have been various companies working on robotic vacuuming over the last 20-odd years, but nobody has been able to successfully come up with a product at this point in time," he said.
Domestic and commercial devices have been developed and should reach the Australian market early next year, selling for about $1500.
``Put it in the room and press the start button and the machine automatically, autonomously navigates the room," Mr McDonald said.
``Put it in the bedroom as you're going to work, press the start button and head off to work. When you come home, the carpet is clean." The machine switches off automatically when its task is complete.
British company Dyson has spent 15 years developing the DCO6 robotic vacuum, worth about $5700, but it is still undergoing tests and not yet ready for the market. NEC has dabbled in robotics, while Sony invented a robotic dog, which was designed as an entertainment gadget.
``Europeans have probably played around with robotic cleaning machines more than any other country," Mr McDonald said.
In a bid to take its invention overseas, FloorBotics conducted market research to determine where it would be best received and found Japan to be an ``accepting market".
The Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), a Japanese government agency that sources products for Japan, invited FloorBotics to exhibit its robot at the World PC Expo in Tokyo in September.
Mr McDonald said the robot received a good response and about 300,000 people attended the exhibition, despite reports of a global economic crisis.
``The reality is people were getting down to business," Mr McDonald said.
``Opportunities for companies in the market place seem to be great."
JETRO trade development officer Tania Sacco said there was ``a demand in niche market areas that suits what the Japanese people are actually looking for".
FloorBotics plans on making consumers its primary focus, particularly capitalising on Japanese enthusiasm for new gadgets, before expanding into commercial markets.
``We've had a lot of consumer interest for the product and people asking to buy the product," Mr McDonald said. ``We're hoping to launch it on to the market virtually at the same stages around the world, with Australia being first."
The robotic floor cleaner is expected to be available in Japan by the middle of next year and FloorBotics is in discussion with potential distributors in Europe and the United States.
It will be made locally, but might also eventually be produced under licence in the Netherlands. There will be several versions of the robot, each with different functions.
Mr McDonald said the aim of producing different versions was to create a trend rather than just a one-off gadget.
Devices being considered for development by FloorBotics include a security guard robot, telecommunications robot and a self-operating tractor for farming.
© 2001 The Age
