Technology is continuously advancing and finding more ways to change the way we do things and live our lives. Bar a complete artificial intelligence takeover; this phenomenon is very likely an excellent development for most of us. Since the industrial revolution, productivity has immeasurably improved as automation replaces manual labour, in the workplace, and the home.
One of the more recent innovations is the advent of the robot vacuum cleaner. A robot vacuum is a fantastically smart device that can learn your home's layout and regularly clean as required - saving its' owner a whole bunch of time. These devices are becoming far more common and capable, so to what extent can they disrupt (replace) the traditional manual methods of stick or plugin vacuums? Let's find out.
Exactly How Large is the Robot Cleaning Market?
Pretty big! The total global vacuum cleaning market reached over $10 billion in 2019 and is continuing to grow at a substantial pace. Robot vacuums now makeup over a quarter of that total and will continue to increase in share. $2.5 billion in annual sales, and growing more than 10% a year is no joke. The market has validated the concept since their initial introduction in the early-mid 2000s. By now, we all probably know at least one person who has a robot vacuum cleaner! These devices are a disruptive force - growing faster and taking market share from traditional, manual cleaning vacuums.
Why are Robot Vacuums Making Such an Impact?
Now, there must be a reason (or two) as to why robot vacuum cleaners are becoming so popular. Most people buy a product or service based on their assessment of the benefits resulting from the purchase, not so much by the specific features it necessarily has. In the case of robot vacuums, the perceived benefit mostly centres around TIME - more specifally, a saving of time.
“Time is a priceless resource and devices such as these are one of the most direct ways to 'purchase' some of that time back.”
Like most other domestic appliances, such as a washing machine or a microwave, the ability to save the buyer time is the key. Instead of hand washing clothes and hanging them to dry an hour, a person can press a button on a washing machine. This benefit allows them to do other productive tasks they wouldn't have been able to do otherwise - such as preparing dinner for their family. Time is a priceless resource and devices such as these are one of the most direct ways to 'purchase' some of that time back.
Most people specifically dislike vacuuming. Unfortunately, dust doesn't care how you feel - it will show up regardless, never missing a day. This situation is where robot vacuums shine. The latest robot vacuum cleaners should come with internet connectivity, smart-home integrations and a well functioning mobile app. Better robot cleaners will completely map out your home and allow you to customise what areas you would like vacuumed - and when. Through the app, you can instruct your robot vacuum cleaner to get started, even when you're not physically near it. This benefit is extremely convenient and saves users hours of time every month.
Is the Trend Set to Continue?
The short answer? YES. Almost every data-point shows continuing penetration of the robot cleaner into the global vacuum market. The long answer? It depends on two main factors, price and cleaning quality.
For most people, who aren't millionaires, the cost of a product or service has a significant impact on whether they are likely to purchase it or not - even if it does save a lot of time. For robot cleaners to completely disrupt the vacuum market, their cost must decline to close to their manual counterparts. Fortunately for consumers, this is already well on track. Prices are decreasing substantially, and low-end models are improving in quality, making them more viable purchases. As long as this trend continues, more people will consider buying a robot pal!
The other factor to consider is the quality of the product. How well can robots clean a home? It turns out, quite well indeed. For most people, a light, regular clean is more than sufficient for general maintenance. While robot cleaners are not as powerful as their full-bodied counterparts - they are solid. Better cleaners will offer multiple modes - from quiet, eco-friendly to heavy-duty cleaning options - giving you more flexibility and control. The best brands now even feature a mopping function allowing the robot vacuum to mop AND vacuum hard floors, potentially saving you even more time.
Get Involved
If you're in the market for a new vacuum cleaner, you should consider if a robot cleaner would be fit for your purpose. Consider a robot as an investment, saving you time in the long run. Soon enough, it's highly likely that the robot vacuum will be the standard home cleaning choice. For a full range of quality models, from a leading brand you can trust - check out Roborock's innovative range today.