iRobot unveiled two new robot vacuum-mop hybrid models at IFA Berlin this week under its new parent company Picea Robotics, which acquired the robotics firm from bankruptcy in January. The flagship Roomba Max 875 Combo retails for $1,199, while a midrange variant called the Roomba Plus 678 Combo is priced at $899, with both available immediately through irobot.com.
The 875 introduces a proprietary sealing technology branded as SealForce, which lowers a skirt around the cleaning head upon detecting carpet to create improved airflow direction and suction efficiency. Paired with a new vane-type blower motor delivering 20 liters of air per second, the system enables three times deeper carpet cleaning compared to previous iterations. The model generates 35,000 Pa of suction power, marking the highest specification iRobot has publicly disclosed. The design incorporates single rubber brush construction rather than the company’s traditional dual rollers, lidar and camera-based navigation, and the ability to traverse thresholds up to 3.5 centimeters high.
On the mopping side, the 875 Combo features an enhanced self-cleaning roller system with increased downward pressure and a new heated mist function called ThermaMist that pre-treats stains ahead of the mop. The system includes a retractable mop cover that prevents carpet saturation during vacuuming and an auto-empty dock with hot water washing and drying capabilities. While manufacturers like Narwal and Dreame have introduced comparable sealing mechanisms in recent models, the technology represents a new addition to iRobot’s product line.
The 678 Combo variant incorporates the same SealForce sealing technology but operates at 30,000 Pa suction with 18 liters per second airflow. It omits ThermaMist functionality in favor of an alternative treatment system called SprayForce, which pre-soaks stains with cleaning fluid before the mop passes over affected areas. The mop lifts 10mm when carpet is detected. Both models support integration with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Siri Shortcuts, with Matter certification currently pending.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI