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The Homey Community has been moved to https://community.athom.com.
This forum is now read-only for archive purposes.
The Homey Community has been moved to https://community.athom.com.
This forum is now read-only for archive purposes.
The Homey and robot vacuum cleaners topic
I thought I'd start a general topic about integration between Homey and robot vacuum cleaners. There are quite a lot of them on the market and in my quest of finding a model that fits my needs I'm having a hard time finding out which types are or will be supported by Homey. Most robot vacuum cleaners come with a smartphone app but the main advantage for integration with Homey is that you can schedule vacuum cleaning based on other sensors like motion/presence as well. So my aim for this topic is to discuss some interesting robot vacuum cleaners and their possibilities for integration with Homey.
Pro: open API, average price, can be extended with a mob
Cons: No one-stop-shop solution, low suction power, noisy, not the smartest
Pro: open API, Roomba generally have good reviews
Cons: works only on specific and mostly older Roomba models (500 and 600 series), not a one-stop-shop solution
Pro: Cheap models
Cons: Often not the best reviews, IR is an unreliable technology, the base station or even the vacuum cleaner has be in a straight line of sight of Homey.
Pro: Cleans close to edges, performs well on all surfaces with powerfull suction
Cons: A bit noisy, long charge time
API: https://developers.neatorobotics.com/login / https://github.com/NeatoRobotics
Pro: Easy to maintain, performs well on all surfaces with powerfull suction
Cons: Expensive, noisy, long charge time
API: No open API but there is reversed engineered stuff like https://github.com/koalazak/dorita980
Pro: Easy to maintain, performs well on all surfaces with powerfull suction with cyclon technology, small footprint
Cons: Very expensive and not for sale in NL (yet), app needs more work, tall so cant get under furniture
API: No open API and nothing reversed engineered thusfar
Pro: Big bang for buck, performs pretty well on all surfaces with powerfull suction, good battery
Cons: Not for sale outside China (yet), app needs more work and seems to be Chinese only
API: No open API (yet) and nothing reversed engineered thusfar
Already supported models
There are a couple of robot vacuum cleaners that are already supported by Homey.LG Hombot
Homey app: https://apps.athom.com/app/com.lg.hombotPro: open API, average price, can be extended with a mob
Cons: No one-stop-shop solution, low suction power, noisy, not the smartest
Roomba with Thinking Cleaner add-on
Homey app: https://apps.athom.com/app/com.thinkingcleanerPro: open API, Roomba generally have good reviews
Cons: works only on specific and mostly older Roomba models (500 and 600 series), not a one-stop-shop solution
IR supported vacuum cleaners
In theory all robot vacuum cleaners that support IR work with Homey as well.Pro: Cheap models
Cons: Often not the best reviews, IR is an unreliable technology, the base station or even the vacuum cleaner has be in a straight line of sight of Homey.
Possibly supported models
Here are some models that have caught my own interest. If you see a model missing here, please post it in this topic.Neato Botvac Connected
URL: https://neatorobotics.com/robot-vacuum/botvac-connected-series/Pro: Cleans close to edges, performs well on all surfaces with powerfull suction
Cons: A bit noisy, long charge time
API: https://developers.neatorobotics.com/login / https://github.com/NeatoRobotics
iRobot Roomba 980
URL: https://store.irobot.com/default/roomba-vacuuming-robot-vacuum-irobot-roomba-980/R980020.htmlPro: Easy to maintain, performs well on all surfaces with powerfull suction
Cons: Expensive, noisy, long charge time
API: No open API but there is reversed engineered stuff like https://github.com/koalazak/dorita980
Dyson 360 Eye
URL: http://www.dyson360eye.com/Pro: Easy to maintain, performs well on all surfaces with powerfull suction with cyclon technology, small footprint
Cons: Very expensive and not for sale in NL (yet), app needs more work, tall so cant get under furniture
API: No open API and nothing reversed engineered thusfar
Xiaomi Mi Robot
URL: http://www.gearbest.com/robot-vacuum/pp_440546.htmlPro: Big bang for buck, performs pretty well on all surfaces with powerfull suction, good battery
Cons: Not for sale outside China (yet), app needs more work and seems to be Chinese only
API: No open API (yet) and nothing reversed engineered thusfar
Comments
I bought the ThinkingCleaner for my IRobot 560 but sadly I must say this was my worst buy this year. With thinkingcleaner installed I don't manage to do a full run (from start till docking) I sent an email message to the company and haven't had a response So be careful. Now I using my IRobot without the module and 100% succes rate to bad I can't use it with homey now snik. Problem is NOT homey related tried browser and Iphone App.
<<Update 21/11/16 >> Great news after my post yesterday I installed the thinkingcleaner module again I noticed on iphone app there was a firmware update (old 1.0.94 new 1.0.103). after installing firmaware I managed to do a full clean job (first one with module installed). I can even use the steering from iPhone. One thing I did notice is that after being on the dockingstation it told me it was fully loaded after 2 minutes don't think it is loading that fast (after running for more then hour) think this have to do that I'm using different battery then default (4500 mAh).
The only thing I'm not to happy with is the device card in the homey app, having a scroll movement to activate device functions in the same direction as the overal scroll for the page is pretty stupid, you don't want to know how many times 'Harry' started when scrolling in the app....
I really like the Xiaomi Mi Robot but there is really no information available about it's API and if the app will be available in English as well.
Especially the noise is very important to me. This was the major point for me to buy the LG Hombot, at that time the was no quieter competitor. Not sure at the moment, but at that time other had up to 10dB more noise... 10 dB more is a lot.
About the one brush, in various tests the Xiaomi comes out pretty good cleaning wise but @MarkSwift already mentioned on Slack it has trouble cleaning the edges.
I guess there has to be a trade off somewhere considering the price which is half of the Neato Botvac Connected and a third of the Roomba 980 which have similar features. But I'm gonna see for myself how it performs, I have bought one yesterday. I'll post my findings here once it finally arrives from China.
When it does I'm gonna try and reverse engineer the API so I can control it with Homey but chances are I'm not gonna be able to pull that off as I have never done that before.
I'm still not sure about which one to buy..
The basic stuff is working, i just checked. So i think is has to work in a flow also.
So I'm not sure the irobot is still the best (performance + price) but for me it's working for a very long time
In the 7,5 year I had to:
Replace battery, twice ordered a maintenance kit + 1x return because problem after 1,5 year (comes with 2 year guarantee standard)
But if I had to buy a cleaner now I would look for a bit smarter one and with remote controle already build in (and compatible with homey of course)
For reference, see this topic for further information: https://forum.athom.com/discussion/2600/app-xiaomi-mi-robot-vacuum-cleaner
About the robot itself. I think the vacuum cleaner is pretty awesome. It does a great job in cleaning our leaving room, everytime there is stuff and dust in there. And even though the house looks already clean, once it's done it's job I can still tell. It cleans our hard wooden floor and a rug. It's a bit noisy (I use the powermode) but the whole idea is to let it work when you are not there (hence my need for integration with Homey).
The functionality of the Mi Home app is great, with the mapping feature and the spot cleaning which has recently been introduced. The app is still mostly in Chinese but if you know your way around Android and you are rooted you can replace the .apk with a translated one (there are also non-rooted methods but have not looked into them). But even in Chinese it's still OK as it uses icons.
Probably most impressive of this all, it does the same or a better job for half or even a third of the price of it's direct competitors like the Neato Botac Connected and Roomba 980.
where did you end up buying the Xiaomi Mi robot?
Thanks Menno, phuturist and iwan for your opinion.
Got lucky and didn't have to pay any taxes. Warranty is a risk I'm taking. My little experience with having to use this with Aliexpress sellers is positive though. Communication and having to send stuff back is just a little more difficult. But they seem to be very helpful and willing to fix the problem.
Work great, runs on wood floor and carpet perfect, if it gets stuck it try to reverse or stops and waits for u to help.
Nothing got broken (yet).
Finds its home when a recharge is needed, runs for aprox 2 hours
Its controlled by infrared (using the harmony hub instead of homey's ir)
Thinking about buying a second one for upstairs.
https://www.banggood.com/BlitzWolf-BW-XRC600-Ultrasonic-Smart-Robot-Vacuum-Cleaner-with-1200pa-3350mAH-UV-APP-Wifi-Control-p-1078757.html?rmmds=detail-left-hotproducts
The price is nice and it is wifi.
greetings,
Aaron
https://forum.athom.com/discussion/3768/flow-that-works-roomba-880
I will write them an email, lets hope they do have an API. I wil see if I can find some reviews on it to.
greetings,
Aaron
Video:
Highlights
Sweep and mopping function
- Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum cleaner 2 equipped with sweep and mopping function.- With the plant bionics system, its' filter can absorb water automatically and keep enough water content.
- Mop and water tank fit tightly.
- The mop cloth is as wide as the main brush. Sweep first and then mopping, cleaning the floor effectively.
- And it is very convenient to install and remove the tank.
Area cleaning function
-This is another new function of Mi robot cleaner 2. Download the Mijia APP, the cleaning robot has mastered the whole picture of the home environment, you can customize the cleaning location on the map, then the vacuum will cleaning the location that you specified.- Compared with the last generation, the Mi robot cleaner 2 has noise reduction design. It comes with silenced cotton which makes it quieter when it is working.
Cleaning performance improved
- The maximum suction of Mi robot cleaner 2 increased from 1800Pa upgrade to 2000Pa to improve cleaning efficiency.- It improves the ability to avoid obstacles by optimizing its' wheel suspension system.
- The barrier height is increased from 1.5cm to 2.0cm.
- The capacity of the dust box increased from 0.42L to 0.48L.
- It increased the automatic booster function.After opening this function on the Mijia APP it will automatically recognize the carpet, clean the carpet with its' maximum suction.
- Sensor upgrade
- Xiaomi vacuum cleaner 2 equipped with a high-precision LDS sensor. It will scan the room at 5 x 360 degrees per second.
- There is an omnidirectional pressure sensor above the LDS sensor. Its' role is to induce a slight collision and to prevent the vacuum cleaner into the low sofa.
- Increased soft buffer crash to protect the furniture.
- With the wall sensor, this sensor makes the cleaner robot always keep a distance of about 10mm from the wall when it is working.Besides.
- Mi robot cleaner 2 using a new infrared chargeback technology which makes the recharge more efficient.
Specification / Product details
Mi robot cleanerBattery: 14.4V / 5200mAh lithium battery
Wireless connection: Wi-Fi smart fast link
Rated voltage: 14.4V
Rated power: 58W
Working time: 2.5H
Suction: 2000Pa
Charging Dock
Power: 42W
Input Voltage: 100~240V
Output: 20V - 1.8V
Frequency: 50/60 Hz
Dimension: 136.5 x 130 x 98 mm
Dimension & Weight Producct Weight: about 3.5kg
Prodcut Dimension: 353 x 350 x 96.5 mm
Package content
1 x Mi robot cleaner 2
1 x Charging Dock
1 x Power Cable
1 x Water Tank
1 x Mop"
nice new feature for the app would be the container status, like, flash the screensaver of Homey when te container is full so i am reminded to emtpy it.