Can robot vacuums replace humans?

Robot vacuums cannot negate the need for manual cleaning completely, but can lighten the load

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Robot vacuums have come a long way since the earliest models that were both expensive and not particularly smart.

Most models on the market, even the cheaper ones, now come equipped with an array of sensors which enable them to navigate around obstacles and furniture, while making sure to cover as much floor surface as possible.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on February 20, 2022, with the headline Can robot vacuums replace humans?. Subscribe