While more and more people are moving into high-rise apartment buildings, 47% of American homes still require stairs to enter, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. If you also have stairs at home, you probably understand the concern about stair safety, especially if you live with pets or children. The same concern applies to robotic vacuums – many people left these smart devices to work on their own, but at the same time, they worry about them falling down stairs during the cleaning process.
Can a Robot Vacuum Fall Down the Stairs?
Robot vacuums are designed not to fall down stairs, thanks to a number of built-in sensors and algorithms that detect edges and drops. The most important one is cliff sensors. These infrared or optical sensors recognize sudden height changes, like steps and ledges, helping the machine to avoid falling.
It’s also worth mentioning that advanced models with mapping and navigation technologies are generally safe near stairs. For instance, the DEEBOT X8 PRO OMNI can accurately map the environment and allows you to set virtual barriers near stairs via the ECOVACS HOME app, blocking it from cleaning beyond that point. Besides, its AINA 2.0 Intelligent Navigation Model features real-time navigation that precisely locates the device and guides it to clean accurately according to the preset map, keeping it safely away from stairs to prevent accidents.
However, while it’s rare, falls can still happen in certain situations: malfunctioning sensors, dirt blocking the sensors, or highly reflective flooring can confuse the sensors and drop detection system. Cleaning in the evening or in poor lighting can also interfere with optical sensors.
Another reason is that older or entry-level models may lack reliable cliff detection features. If you need a robot vacuum for stairs, it is a good idea to check if they are equipped with related sensors and technologies.
How Do Robot Vacuums Detect and Avoid Stairs?
Robotic vacuum cleaners rely on cliff sensors to detect and avoid stairs. The theory behind this is that these sensors emit infrared signals toward the floor; the signal bounces back when the vacuum moves over flat ground; alternatively, if the vacuum approaches an edge, the signal fails to return. This triggers the vacuum to change direction and avoid falling. This drop detection system works in real-time, allowing the machine to navigate safely around stairs.
Cliff Sensors
Cliff sensors are infrared or optical sensors typically placed on the bottom of the auto vacuum to continuously scan the surface below. When it detects a sudden height change, like stairs or a ledge, the sensors signal the navigation system to stop and turn away.
Fall Detection
Fall detection technology is an added safety feature in robot vacuums for stairs. Technically, it utilizes additional data from navigation systems to identify unstable surfaces or risky drops, complementing the ability of cliff sensors. This safety measure further helps avoid falling accidents, especially in homes with multiple floors and complicated layouts.
Low Light or Dark Mode
Advanced robot vacuums further feature low light or dark mode. In the stair-detection system, infrared signals work fine in the dark, but optical sensors may struggle without proper lighting. Hence, dark mode helps cliff sensors and navigation systems function accurately and detect stairs even with the lights off.
Mapping Technology
Smart vacuums with mapping use various sensors, cameras, or LiDAR technology to recreate a detailed layout of your home. To avoid falling down stairs, you can review the map on the app and set virtual barriers or no-go zones near the stairs, reducing the reliance on cliff sensors alone.
How to Prevent a Robot Vacuum from Falling?
While auto vacuums come equipped with cliff sensors and fall detection features, you can take extra steps to prevent accidents in your home. These simple practices and tips can help your vacuum navigate safely near steps and ledges.
● Regularly Clean Cliff Sensors: Dust and dirt can block the infrared signals from cliff sensors, affecting the drop detection. Wipe the sensors with a dry, soft cloth every few weeks for maintenance.
● Set Virtual Barriers or No-Go Zones: New smart vacuum models allow you to set virtual barriers or no-go zones near the stair edges or steps via the app. These invisible boundaries stop the vacuum from approaching hazardous areas.
● Put Physical Barriers: For extra safety, placing physical barriers like magnetic boundary strips and baby gates near stairs would be a good idea to block your robot vacuum from falling down stairs.
● Place the Charging Dock Away from Stairs: A vacuum needs space around the docking station to back up or turn, thus you should store the smart vacuum safely away from stairs to reduce risks.
● Test the Vacuum: Before letting your vacuum clean near stairs, why not supervise it a few times? Watch how it reacts to the edge and make sure the cliff sensors work properly near stairs.
Are DEEBOT Robot Vacuums Safe Near Stairs?
DEEBOT robot vacuums are well-equipped to be safe near stairs. Located on the bottom of the vacuum, their cliff sensors detect the height to the ground during the cleaning process. When the sensors detect a height difference of 30mm, the vacuum stops moving forward to prevent falling. Furthermore, DEEBOT robot vacuums come with advanced mapping technology, such as TrueMapping, so you can accurately set virtual barriers to block off stair edges and steps through the ECOVACS HOME app. This remote control feature guarantees an extra layer of stair safety and helps prevent costly repairs.
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