IROBOT LAUNCHES EIGHT NEW ROOMBAS WITH LIDAR MAPPING

This week, iRobot unveiled its most ambitious lineup yet, introducing eight new Roomba models that bring lidar mapping to the brand for the first time.

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After years of relying on camera-based navigation, the company that pioneered robotic vacuums is stepping up its game with technology long favored by competitors-promising sharper, faster cleaning for homes across the US. For everyday users, it's a practical upgrade: a Roomba that knows your space better, dodges obstacles with ease, and tackles dirt without the guesswork.

iRobot announced the launch, marking its largest product rollout ever with models ranging from the budget-friendly Roomba 105 at $299 to the premium Roomba Plus 505 Combo at $999. The shift to lidar-short for light detection and ranging-ushers in smarter navigation, letting these vacuums map rooms quickly and adapt to cluttered floors. It's a move that could redefine how users experience automated cleaning, blending convenience with a fresh, modern design.

The timing feels like a reset for iRobot after a rocky 2024-think layoffs, a scrapped Amazon deal, and a CEO exit. Now, with lidar on board, the company's aiming to reclaim its edge. For households, this means a vacuum that's less likely to bump into furniture or miss a spot-less hassle, more clean.

LIDAR: THE NEW EYES OF ROOMBA

The big news here is lidar, a laser-based system that scans surroundings to build precise maps. Unlike the older camera-driven vSLAM tech, which needed light and could stumble in dim corners, lidar works in the dark and cuts mapping time significantly. iRobot's product lead, Warren Fernandez, told The Verge the tech's finally affordable enough to roll out across the line-starting with the $299 Roomba 105 up to the tricked-out 505 Combo.