The latest model of the robot vacuum cleaner "Rumba" series "Rumba j7 +"

The official online store price is 129,800 yen for j7+. It is a set with a clean base that sucks up dust from the main unit and collects it in a paper pack. The clean base also charges the roomba itself. One j7 is 99,800 yen. A home base with charging function only is included. Both models will be available on February 10th.

The j7 series is a robot vacuum cleaner developed based on the idea that "it depends on the feelings of the user." The biggest feature is "PrecisionVision" navigation. This is a function that uses a camera mounted on the front of the Roomba to identify obstacles such as cords and pet excrement (only solid feces) in front of you, and clean them while avoiding them.

The camera installed in the previous model i7 series was located on the top of the main unit and was angled upwards. This arrangement is for creating a room layout map by catching the contours of walls and furniture. On the other hand, the j7 series has a built-in camera that faces straight ahead, making it possible to grasp objects on the floor.

For example, the old i7 series is walking while looking up, and the new j7 series is walking while looking down. With the j7 series, you can check your feet and avoid obstacles.

A mechanism that recognizes obstacles using machine learning and image processing technology when an obstacle is visible in front of you. Obstacles are checked with a red square frame, and the distance to the object is calculated by observing the shape change of the red frame.

The j7 series works with smartphone apps and communicates with the cloud. In addition to the obstacle information managed on the cloud, the j7 series itself is equipped with a machine learning processor to recognize objects in real time.

[Video] Stop cleaning and avoid obstacles

The obstacles that the j7 series recognizes at the time of release are shoes (slippers), socks, charging stations (j7 series and Braava jet m6), cables (headphone cord, power cable), pet excrement (solids). )is. This will increase in the future.

The key technology of this function is "iRobot Genius", a function that regularly updates the functions of Roomba and Braava. It learns the user's usage environment and floor plan information on the cloud.

Currently, the functions enabled by iRobot Genius include "a function to start cleaning when you go out based on the GPS information of your smartphone" and "suggestion of prohibited areas". Of course, when obtaining various information from the user's roomba, it is said that privacy is taken into consideration and a method is adopted so that individuals are not identified.

The tagline for the j7 series is "Clean even the messy floor, the smartest roomba ever to clean the messy floor."

IRobot CEO Colin Angle, who attended online from his home in Massachusetts, said, ``The iRobot Genius and the j7 series' front-facing cameras know what objects to avoid. Recognize it first and let the user know what obstacles are there.Leave objects that it recognizes as obstacles on the floor instead of sucking everything up.You don't have to manually set obstacles. No. It will be a reliable partner that can be entrusted with cleaning," he explained the performance of the j7 series.

To add a little bit, when the j7 series finishes cleaning, it will notify the app where it avoided obstacles (it could not clean). Eventually, you will clean up your room, so the next time you move the j7 series, if there are no objects left in the previous cleaning, it will clean the same place properly.

I think the best thing to recognize obstacles and dare to leave on the floor is pet excrement (only solid feces are supported by the j7 series). During the development of the j7 series, I was surprised to learn that more than 100 models of pet feces were created and machine learning was performed on more than 100,000 images to improve recognition accuracy.

“iRobot, which boasts a total of 40 million units sold, knows all kinds of floor materials, floor plans, obstacles, etc. around the world.In order to improve the accuracy of image recognition by machine learning, a large amount of data is required.Base. Without such a wealth of data, it would not be possible to achieve the same level of recognition as the j7 series.The more users there are, the smarter the j7 series will be.”

The j7 series was launched in the US four months ago, ahead of Japan. US users have added shoes (slippers) and socks to the objects that are recognized and avoided as obstacles. Obstacle information will be updated in the future, and the number of avoidable obstacles will increase.

"Pet owner guarantee" and 3-month free subscription campaign

Takeshi Yamada of iRobot Japan said, "Precision Vision eliminates the suspicion of Japanese customers about robot vacuum cleaners. I think it's a function," he says.

Compared to China, Europe, and the United States, the penetration and utilization rate of robot vacuum cleaners in Japan is low. Mr. Yamada says that the background to this is that "in Japan, people value the idea that cleaning should be done by oneself."

When iRobot researched ``Why do customers not use robot vacuum cleaners? reached the conclusion.

The previous Rumba used a physical part called "virtual wall" to set the no-entry area, etc., but I can understand that there are people who feel that setting is troublesome. This j7 series solves these complaints.

"Japanese housing is complicated. There are various floor plans, and there are steps. There are various floor materials such as tatami mats, flooring, and carpets. Furthermore, I live barefoot, so I often put things on the floor. The j7 series is a robot vacuum cleaner that avoids objects placed on the floor.I don't think there is a robot vacuum cleaner that is more suitable for the Japanese residential environment." (Mr. Yamada)

Obstacle data is updated once every three months, so the accuracy of the obstacles that the j7 series recognizes and avoids increases, and the number of new obstacles that can be recognized and avoided increases. increase. If the user does not agree, the image data of the obstacles when cleaning the user's house will not be uploaded to the cloud, and the data will be encrypted and stored so that the individual cannot be identified. In addition, it seems that images of people are not left as data.

“Conventional home appliances peak in value when you buy them, but the j7 series is a home appliance that continues to learn and evolves its functions one after another.In that sense, it is compatible with subscriptions. We can continue our relationship of trust with our customers by making regular payments.Customers will return the product if they don't like the features.Therefore, we must continue to provide better services. No.” (Mr. Yamada)

iRobot offers its own subscription service "Robot Smart Plan". There is a 2-week “trial 2-week course” and a 3-year “anshin continuation course”, but the use of the 3-year long-term plan is increasing explosively. A campaign (below) will also be held in conjunction with the release of the j7 series.

In addition, the j7 series offers a “pet owner peace of mind guarantee” for purchasers. If you inhale solid pet excrement, we will replace the main unit free of charge only once within the manufacturer's warranty period. A very ambitious campaign. Feel the confidence of iRobot.

IRobot Japan has long set a medium-term goal of increasing the household penetration rate of robot vacuum cleaners to 10% by 2023. Mr. Yamada believes that the j7 series will help popularize robot vacuum cleaners.

With the j7 series, you can clean in environments where robot vacuum cleaners have not worked well, such as when there are many things on the floor. I would also like you to try it.” (Mr. Yamada)

Until now, the main buyers of robot vacuum cleaners were young families in their 20s and 30s, but now it seems that replacement needs and purchases by people in their 40s and 50s are increasing. In addition, the use of singles and senior households is expanding.

“We are expanding our lineup so that customers can choose according to their environment and lifestyle. Roomba s9 is recommended for homes with a lot of items.If you often put things on the floor, please use the Roomba j7 series.The j7 series is recommended for pet owners as well as homes with small children. (Mr. Yamada)